Job overview
Discharge Coordinator (all nursing and allied health professionals encouraged to apply)
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Guy’s and St Thomas’ for a Discharge Coordinator (band 6) to join the discharge team. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring safe, prompt and timely discharges and case managing complex and specialist discharges across both sites.
We are looking for an individual who is enthusiastic, motivated and has experience in discharge planning.
Closing: Midnight 28th September 2025
Interview: Wednesday 8th October 2025
Main duties of the job
You will be expected to liaise closely with ward MDTs, Community teams, ICBs and Social Services in relation to complex/delayed discharges. You will be expected to drive the Trust’s discharge to assess (D2A) discharge process, focusing on pro-active discharge planning, continuing healthcare assessment, the prevention of delayed discharges and reduction in readmission rates. You will ensure that patient experience feedback is used to maintain standards or implement improvements that have an effect on care and discharge.
You should be well organised and creative in your approach to problem solving with the ability to communicate effectively with staff from different disciplines. Effective and timely communication between the Trust and external agencies will be essential to minimise delays.
This role will give you the opportunity to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, developing your communication and negotiation skills. You will have the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team of nurses, therapists, social workers and administrators.
You will be an RGN or registered AHP with experience at band 5 or 6 level, and have relevant acute or community experience with a demonstrable understanding of the key issues and statutory responsibilities relating to patient’s discharge.
You will need to be aware of the pressure of working in an acute setting, understand community provision and work within the trust’s values and behaviour.
Working for our organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
We are among the UK’s busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark.
We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities.
We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Work alongside the existing transfer of care navigator and ward teams to arrange complex discharges.
2. They will be expected to communicate effectively and professionally with patients, carers, members of the MDT and external agencies.
3. Coordinate and attend discharge planning meetings.
4. Liaise with the wider MDT to coordinate appropriate and timely plans for discharge.
5. Have a weekend presence to facilitate discharge
6. Ensure that all patients have an Estimated Discharge Date and that this is updated regularly on the electronic system. Escalate EDD Breaches to the clinical teams and expedite clinical review.
7. Co-ordinate and promote the use of the discharge unit with the inpatient areas.
8. Co-ordinate meetings to discuss >21 day admissions within the directorate.
9. Data collection and audit
Please find attached job description for full job details
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential criteria
10. Diploma or degree in nursing or AHP related field
11. Post registration qualification in relevant field
Desirable criteria
12. Leadership qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
13. Previous post registration experience within the relevant specialty
14. Experienced and competent in the management of patients within the speciality
15. Experience of teaching/ assessing/ supervising others in a clinical setting
16. Experiencing of co-ordinating a shift or relevant rota for AHP
Skills
Essential criteria
17. Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist care delivered to patients/clients and give relevant advice/information to patients and relatives.
18. Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues
19. Good communication skills and ability to deal with sensitive information.
20. Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management and how this effects their role and the department
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.