Job summary
As a discharge support worker you will be a core member of the discharge hub team supporting the Discharge Assessors to ensure that appropriate patients from the acute setting are assessed and transferred safely to appropriate community based services in a timely and seamless manner. For appropriate pathways there is an aim to support transfer from hospital to community within 24 hours
You will support the smooth daily operations at the Hounslow Discharge Hub based at the West Middlesex Hospital site (Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation NHS Trust) and to be responsible for the completion of delegated tasks from the Discharge Practitioners
The post-holder will work in collaboration with the ward MDT at Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust - West Middlesex Site and Discharge Hub team to ensure the patients' journey through the hospital into the community is as smooth as possible and without any unnecessary delays.
You will support the Discharge Hub team and the ward MDT to identify complex discharges on admission. This will include attending clinical environments within the hospital
Assist the ward teams in organising discharges for all patients in the ward who require any community support.
Main duties of the job
o To be responsible for delegated tasks from the Discharge Assessors to ensure discharges are expedited in a timely and safe manner.
o Provide ward MDT with up to date information on the discharge progress of individual patients and escalate any anticipated delays.
o Identify any appropriate complex discharges, liaising with the Discharge Assessors/ Matrons/ Ward managers for further support and advice.
o Champion the use of Trust discharge processes and highlight problems to the ward MDT.
o Effectively monitor patient progress towards Anticipated Date of Discharge (ADD) taking action to ensure delays are promptly addressed by the relevant ward or department.
o Communicate effectively with all members of the Multidisciplinary team and other agencies, including Consultants, therapists, nurses, social care teams, other NHS, commercial and voluntary organisations. Supporting and promoting teamwork generally through effective dissemination of information.
o Provide patients with written communication in a timely manner prior to discharge, recognise there may be barriers to understanding and ensure that this is articulated in an appropriate manner
o Participate in the daily team huddles, feeding back potential issues and taking appropriate actions where required. Undertake appropriate follow up actions in relation to discharge, highlighting those patients with potentially complex discharge needs to the Discharge Practitioners in a timely manner.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to A Level/ NVQ Leve 3 or equivalent
- Higher National Certificate in health and social care or equivalent
Desirable
- ECDL qualification
- Knowledge of medical terminology
- Customer Care training
- Foundation degree level or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Relevant and recent experience working in a senior Administrative role
- Experience of working to and implementing local policies and procedures
- Ability to work in a busy department whilst maintaining professionalism at all times
- Experience of working in a hospital health care setting
- Experience of using NHS IT/ Database systems
- Experience of discharge processes
- Working knowledge of office procedures, structure and workings of a large organisation
- Understand the importance of confidentiality
- Ability to work on own initiative and within a team
- Ability to provide patients with an environment that supports privacy and dignity
- Supports patient equality and diversity
- Ability to problem solve
Desirable
Skills
Essential
- Good IT skills to include use of Microsoft packages: word, outlook, excel and other Microsoft office software packages
- Ability to draft routine correspondence
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a realistic manner
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent written and spoken command of the English language
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary setting
- Ability to collate data and produce reports
Other Requirements
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Able to work under pressure and to deadlines
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a busy team and encourage collaborative working
- Ability to use own initiative
- Flexible approach to working hours/duties
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to A Level/ NVQ Leve 3 or equivalent
- Higher National Certificate in health and social care or equivalent
Desirable
- ECDL qualification
- Knowledge of medical terminology
- Customer Care training
- Foundation degree level or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Relevant and recent experience working in a senior Administrative role
- Experience of working to and implementing local policies and procedures
- Ability to work in a busy department whilst maintaining professionalism at all times
- Experience of working in a hospital health care setting
- Experience of using NHS IT/ Database systems
- Experience of discharge processes
- Working knowledge of office procedures, structure and workings of a large organisation
- Understand the importance of confidentiality
- Ability to work on own initiative and within a team
- Ability to provide patients with an environment that supports privacy and dignity
- Supports patient equality and diversity
- Ability to problem solve
Desirable
Skills
Essential
- Good IT skills to include use of Microsoft packages: word, outlook, excel and other Microsoft office software packages
- Ability to draft routine correspondence
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a realistic manner
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent written and spoken command of the English language
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary setting
- Ability to collate data and produce reports
Other Requirements
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Able to work under pressure and to deadlines
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a busy team and encourage collaborative working
- Ability to use own initiative
- Flexible approach to working hours/duties
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.
