Discharge support worker, discharge lounge | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust; Holdenhurst; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A health service provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a compassionate Healthcare Support Worker to assist patients during their discharge from the hospital. This role involves personal care, coordination with medical staff, and maintaining accurate documentation. Key skills include strong communication and the ability to work under pressure. The ideal candidate will help ensure a dignified and smooth transition for patients from hospital to home.

Qualifications

• Able to assist with personal care and basic observations.
• Experience in a healthcare setting is beneficial.
• Capable of liaising with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with Doctors and multidisciplinary teams for discharge planning.
• Maintain accurate documentation regarding discharges.
• Assist with the safe and timely discharge of patients.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Compassion

Ability to work efficiently under pressure

Job description

Are you a compassionate, motivated individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment? Join our team as a Healthcare Support Worker in the Discharge Lounge, where you'll play a vital role in helping patients transition safely from hospital to home.

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to support patients during one of the most important parts of their care journey – discharge. You'll assist with personal care, mobility, basic observations, and emotional reassurance, ensuring each patient is comfortable, informed, and ready for the next step.

Working closely with nurses, doctors, therapists, and discharge coordinators, you'll be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving patient flow and enhancing the discharge experience. Strong communication skills, compassion, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are key in this role.

Your day‑to‑day will be varied and meaningful – supporting patients, coordinating with transport, updating records, and ensuring each discharge is smooth and safe.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with Doctors, Therapy Services, Social Services, CHC team, Housing and other appropriate members of the multidisciplinary team to provide a proactive and continuous process of discharge planning.
• Maintain accurate electronic and paper documentation in relation to discharge and discharge planning.
• Escalate delays in patient discharges timely and appropriately to the Ward Manager, Matron and discharge team.
• Assist the registered nurse by undertaking activities relevant to ensure the safe and timely discharge of patients – ensuring IDS completed TTOs are ordered and transport arranged.

UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme. This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.

Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and conditions.

Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as you'll be a key link between wards, patients, families, and external services. The ability to remain calm, organised, and compassionate in a busy environment will help ensure every patient leaves our care with dignity and confidence.

Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people. For more details please go to .