Hospital Discharge Assistant

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board; Wales; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS organization is looking for a Hospital Discharge Assistant to support efforts in patient discharge facilitation within a busy community hospital. The role involves gathering information on patients’ status, coordinating with staff and families, and ensuring timely discharges that enhance patient safety and satisfaction. Ideal candidates will have experience in direct patient care and be NVQ/QCF Level 4 qualified, contributing to improving overall hospital flow and patient outcomes.

Benefits

Extensive training opportunities

Flexible working

Occupational health support

Qualifications

• Experience of direct patient care and/or working within a clinical setting.
• IT literate in word and excel.
• Experience of data collection and audit.

Responsibilities

• Gather information regarding patients' pre-admission abilities and concerns prior to discharge.
• Communicate with Therapy Services to obtain updates on patient progress.
• Liaise with care homes to reassess patients prior to discharge.
• Notify families and carers of discharge arrangements.
• Maintain documentation in line with Health Board policies.

Skills

Direct patient care

Clinical setting experience

Data collection and audit

IT literate in word and excel

Education

NVQ/QCF Level 4 or equivalent

Job description

This post is fixed term/secondment for 6 months due to RIF funding.

If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.

We are offering an exciting opportunity to join our Hospital Discharge Team as a Hospital Discharge Assistant within a busy community hospital setting.

In this rewarding role, you will play a key part in supporting wards through the implementation of the Optimal Hospital Flow Framework, helping to improve patient flow and enhance the overall hospital journey.

Your core purpose will be to facilitate safe, timely, and effective discharges for patients. You will work with individuals presenting with varying levels of complexity, providing tailored support, coordination, and problem-solving to ensure every patient transitions to the most suitable environment.

No matter the challenges that arise, the focus of the role remains constant: enabling safe, appropriate, and well-planned discharges that support the best outcomes for our patients.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

Gather information regarding patients' pre-admission abilities, support systems, and any concerns related to discharge readiness.

Communicate with Therapy Services to obtain updates on patient progress and support therapy teams as required.

Liaise with care homes in a timely manner to reassess patients prior to discharge and coordinate relevant arrangements.

Maintain effective communication with ward managers, the patient flow team, nursing, medical, therapy, social services staff, and ambulance colleagues to support safe and timely discharges.

Ensure sensitive, personal, and clinical information is handled with tact and confidentiality, using sound judgement regarding information sharing.

Appropriately notify families and carers of discharge arrangements in a timely manner.

Support the ward team to facilitate the safe and timely discharge of patients.

Actively contribute to daily capacity planning by managing and disseminating essential information related to patient discharges, bed states, and flow barriers.

Collect, record, collate, and report information as directed by the manager regarding key areas relevant to patient flow.

Finalise transfer arrangements to home or usual place of residence, including transportation bookings and communication with families.

Ensure all relevant patient information is obtained, recorded, stored, and communicated in accordance with agreed processes.

About us

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.

Job responsibilities

Review information on PSAG (Patient Status at a Glance) boards regularly and update as required.

Ensure complex lists accurately reflect current patient information gathered verbally or during PSAG reviews.

Process referrals promptly to ensure patients receive effective and timely services.

Appropriately document discharge plans and actions in patient notes.

Support the ward with the implementation of OHFF.

• Support the implementation of OHFF.

Ensure MDT meetings are arranged promptly, including inviting relevant professionals and organising the venue.

Support the MDT by sharing information to progress discharge planning and resolve delays.

Maintain accurate and consistent documentation in line with Health Board policies.

Attend mandatory and statutory training relevant to the discharge process, including but not limited to: POVA, dementia training, Mental Capacity Act, DoLS, Health and Safety, Choice of Accommodation Policy, OHFF.

Maintain competence through ongoing education and learning opportunities.

Identify personal learning needs in consultation with the line manager through PADR.

Participate in regular supervision and appraisal in line with Health Board guidelines.

Reflect on personal practice and performance to ensure continuous professional development.

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Experience of direct patient care and/or working within a clinical setting
• NVQ/QCF Level 4 or equivalent
• Experience of data collection and audit

Experience

• NVQ/QCF Level 4 or equivalent
• Experience of working within a hospital or community setting patient facing
• Experience of direct patient care and/or working within a clinical setting
• Experience of data collection and audit
• Active participant in complex decision-making processes
• IT literate in word and excel

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.