University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Discharge support worker, discharge lounge

The closing date is 13 July 2025

Job summary

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.

If you're looking for a role where your care truly makes a difference and no two days are the same, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

-Liaise with Doctors, Therapy Services, and Social Services, CHC team, Housing andany other appropriate members of the Multidisciplinary team to provide a proactiveand continuous process of discharge planning.-To maintain accurate electronic and paper documentation in relation to dischargeand discharge planning.-To escalate delays in patients discharges timely and appropriately to the WardManager, Matron and discharge team.

-To assist the registered nurse by undertaking activities relevant to ensure the safeand timely discharge of patients i.e. ensure IDS completed TTOs are ordered andtransport arranged.

About us

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.

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.

Details

Date posted

27 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

153-ME04730

Job locations

UHD

Bournemouth/Poole

BH7 7DW


Job description

Job responsibilities

Join our dynamic and compassionate team as a Healthcare Support Worker in the Discharge Lounge, where you will play a vital role in supporting patients as they prepare to leave hospital care. This fast-paced unit is essential in ensuring safe, timely, and smooth discharges, helping to improve patient flow and enhance the overall hospital experience.

You will work closely with nurses, doctors, therapists, discharge coordinators, and transport teams, providing hands-on care to patients who are medically fit for discharge. Your responsibilities will include assisting with personal care, mobility, vital signs, and offering reassurance and support to patients and families during the discharge process.

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.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is caring, proactive, and committed to making a real difference every day.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Join our dynamic and compassionate team as a Healthcare Support Worker in the Discharge Lounge, where you will play a vital role in supporting patients as they prepare to leave hospital care. This fast-paced unit is essential in ensuring safe, timely, and smooth discharges, helping to improve patient flow and enhance the overall hospital experience.

You will work closely with nurses, doctors, therapists, discharge coordinators, and transport teams, providing hands-on care to patients who are medically fit for discharge. Your responsibilities will include assisting with personal care, mobility, vital signs, and offering reassurance and support to patients and families during the discharge process.

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.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is caring, proactive, and committed to making a real difference every day.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 in Care (or willingness to undertake this).

Knowledge

Essential

  • An insight into discharge planning needs.

other requirements specific to the role

Essential

  • Flexibility/adaptability to be able to work across both Bournemouth and Poole sites. Ability to work shifts..

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • A positive approach to caring for people of all ages. An insight into complex care/social needs. Sensitivity to the needs of others. Patience and consideration. Ability to exchange factual information accurately

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Ability to work in a demanding environment.
  • Effective communication skills both written and verbal / nonverbal.
  • Ability to demonstrate initiative and prioritise work efficiently.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 3 in Care (or willingness to undertake this).

Knowledge

Essential

  • An insight into discharge planning needs.

other requirements specific to the role

Essential

  • Flexibility/adaptability to be able to work across both Bournemouth and Poole sites. Ability to work shifts..

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • A positive approach to caring for people of all ages. An insight into complex care/social needs. Sensitivity to the needs of others. Patience and consideration. Ability to exchange factual information accurately

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Ability to work in a demanding environment.
  • Effective communication skills both written and verbal / nonverbal.
  • Ability to demonstrate initiative and prioritise work efficiently.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

UHD

Bournemouth/Poole

BH7 7DW


Employer's website

https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

UHD

Bournemouth/Poole

BH7 7DW


Employer's website

https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

DCL

Alex Angelozzi/Oreoluwa Adeyemo

alex.angelozzi@uhd.nhs.uk

03000194172

Details

Date posted

27 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

153-ME04730

Job locations

UHD

Bournemouth/Poole

BH7 7DW


Supporting documents

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