Job overview
Band 5 RN Operational Discharge and Flow Support Team
The new HHFT Operational Discharge and Flow Support Team has been formed via the merger of the existing Discharge Lounge and Transfer Teams on both the Winchester and Basingstoke sites, and we are excited to recruit into our Band 5 RN roles across our Winchester and Basingstoke sites.
Working collaboratively with the Site and Duty team, In-patient and clinical areas, and Integrated Discharge Teams amongst others, the Operational Discharge and Flow support Team will positively impact the patient experience and operational performance by supporting earlier discharges from the wards via the Discharge Lounges, and earlier movement from our Emergency Departments and assessment areas. The team will work dynamically and with multiple key stakeholders to provide targeted support to alleviate blockages and barriers to flow.
Potential candidates must be able to work across all functions of the role, and the ability to work intuitively and under the guidance of the Band 7 and Site and Duty team.
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the role include:
1. Discharge coordination, working with the Integrated Discharge Team, Patient Flow Facilitators, ward teams and the Operations Centre team.
2. Maintaining accurate data on our Ewhiteboards,
3. Supporting with transport arrangements
4. Patient engagement and experience - working together to support patient's safe and timely transfer both on the day of admission and to the Discharge Charge Lounge on their discharge date.
5. Be flexible and responsive with the ability to move between tasks quickly and efficiently.
6. Medicines management - supporting patients with TTOs
7. Providing clinical leadership for the Band 3 HCSW
Working for our organisation
Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.
Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.
We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.
The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.
Your Next Career Move Made Easier – Accommodation May Be Offered
We understand relocating can be a big step. Hampshire Hospitals may be able to provide accommodation options for successful candidates, depending on availability. If this something you would like to explore please contact on 02080 360017
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
8. Discharge Preparation and Coordination
9. Proactive planning for same-day and next-day discharges, working collaboratively with the Duty Manager, and with the Integrated Discharge Team (IDT), Patient Flow Facilitators (PFFs), ward teams, and the Operations Centre.
10. Ensuring discharge lounges are operational from 08:30 hrs to facilitate early patient transfers and bed availability.
Data Accuracy and Digital Tools
11. Maintaining accurate and timely updates on electronic whiteboards (eWhiteboards) to reflect real-time patient status.
12. Utilising Power BI dashboards to gather discharge intelligence, enabling informed decision-making and targeted liaison with IDT, wards, and key stakeholders.
Clinical Documentation and Medicines Readiness
13. Ensuring TTOs and discharge summaries are prepared and verified the day prior to planned discharge, reducing delays and improving patient safety.
14. Clinical discussions with Medical and Nursing teams as necessary.
Transport Arrangements
15. Confirming appropriate patient transport is pre-arranged and meets individual needs.
16. Encouraging and supporting patients to arrange their own transport wherever clinically appropriate, promoting independence and reducing Trust costs.
Patient Engagement and Experience
17. “Meet and greet” patients identified for discharge lounge transfer, providing clear communication about the process and expected timelines, ensure consistency of service when on alternative site/ leave etc.
18. Coordinating packing, collection, and transfer of patients, property, and medications to the discharge lounge on the morning of discharge.
19. Supporting patients with breakfast as required and contacting relatives/carers to confirm collection details and discharge lounge location.
Operational Oversight and Escalation
20. Monitoring progress of all discharge actions, escalating barriers promptly to the lead or Duty Manager or clinical leads for the Operations Centre Team.
21. Ensuring safe and timely transfer of patients from ED/admission areas to inpatient wards and discharge lounges, prioritising flow in collaboration with the Duty Manager.
22. Coordinate Band 3 activity according to greatest need.
23. Effective and appropriate delegation and review of allocated tasks.
Flexibility and Responsiveness
24. Ability to redeploy rapidly to areas of greatest operational pressure.
25. Anticipating demand and adapting to evolving site requirements, maintaining a proactive “what’s next?” approach to patient flow.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
26. Maintaining regular communication with the band 7 lead for the team, Duty Manager and Site Coordinator to ensure alignment with operational priorities.
27. Developing strong relationships with key stakeholders across clinical and non-clinical teams, fostering open and supportive communication channels
Person specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential criteria
28. Professional UK registration e.g. NMC, HCP
29. Degree level education or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through any combination of alternative study, or employment experience
30. Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing, moving and handling patients and equipment safely, and shift pattern.
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
31. Completed clinical placements in a variety of areas
32. Knowledge of the management of in-patients and out-patients including evidence-based strategies
Desirable criteria
33. Experience of staff supervision, and the ability to delegate appropriately and professionally.
Additional Criteria
Essential criteria
34. Knowledge of local policies and procedures and workstreams around supporting timely discharges from the acute setting i.e. discharge lounge criteria, Complex Discharge pathways, IDT processes
35. Multidisciplinary team working