Band 6 Discharge and Flow Clinician (Swindon)
You will play a key role in helping people move safely out of hospital and into the next stage of their recovery. Join our Patient Flow and Discharge team at Great Western Hospital where you will guide discharge planning, coordinate patient flow and support colleagues in delivering timely, person‑centred care across a busy seven‑day service.
Key Responsibilities
* Coordinate patient flow across acute wards to make sure every person is discharged on the right pathway.
* Complete holistic assessments that consider a patient's medical, physical, social and emotional needs.
* Work with consultants, ward teams, community services, social care and voluntary agencies to remove delays and keep people moving safely through their discharge journey.
* Facilitate the smooth transfer of assessments, care plans and test results to the next care provider.
* Provide professional advice and guidance to colleagues and support day‑to‑day team operations.
* Manage complex cases using strong clinical reasoning, problem‑solving and knowledge of national guidance.
* Apply a clear understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, safeguarding processes and Continuing Healthcare funding.
* Prioritise and review referrals so that discharges are clinically safe and well coordinated.
* Offer daily senior support to Band 4 colleagues, including supervision and performance oversight.
* Deputise for the Band 7 Lead when needed, including contributing to system calls.
* Support the front‑door admission avoidance service when the Band 7 Lead is not available.
* Contribute to service improvement, including reducing delays, supporting national and local targets and maintaining seven‑day service delivery.
* Ensure every patient's dignity, privacy and choice are respected throughout their discharge planning.
Person Specification
* Registered clinician (RGN, AHP, Social Worker or equivalent)
* Experience in discharge planning or patient flow
* Ability to make autonomous clinical decisions around discharge pathways
* Strong communication, decision‑making and problem‑solving skills
* Ability to prioritise and work flexibly in a fast‑paced environment
* Experience working across health and social care boundaries
* Knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding and Information Governance
* Understanding of national hospital discharge guidance
* Confident in influencing others in clinical decision making
* Ability to have sensitive or difficult conversations with patients, families and staff
* Resilient, calm under pressure and able to consider the wider system
* Experience of quality improvement work related to discharge planning (desirable)
Qualifications
* Registered clinician (RGN, AHP, Social Worker or equivalent)
* Experience in discharge planning or patient flow
* Knowledge of the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding and Information Governance
Benefits
* NHS Agenda for Change Band 6 salary with an NHS pension
* Membership of My Reward Hub – discounts on everyday purchases, cashback and voucher offers
* Access to your wages as you earn them
* Online and in‑person wellbeing support, including mental health services, activity challenges, financial wellbeing tools, coaching and counselling
* Access to e‑learning, bespoke career pathways and development opportunities through our Outstanding Learning Enterprise team
* An open, just culture with encouragement to share ideas, supported by ringfenced innovation funding each year
* The pride of working for an organisation where most rated services are Good or Outstanding with the CQC
About the Company
We change lives by transforming health and care. Established in 2006, HCRG Care Group is one of the UK's leading independent providers of community health and care services, working with health and care commissioners and communities to transform services with a focus on experience, efficiency and improved outcomes. We deliver adult and children community health services, primary care services, urgent care, sexual health, dermatology, MSK services and adult social care and wellbeing services. Our commitment to equal opportunities ensures we welcome a diverse range of applicants. We are a disability‑confident, committed company providing facilities, work‑environment adjustments and technical solutions to be as inclusive of everyone.
Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from a broad, diverse range of people. We are a disability‑confident committed company, so we work to provide facilities, work‑environment adjustments and technical solutions to be as inclusive of everyone. Safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults is of utmost importance; all staff undergo a safer recruitment process, including disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.
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