Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Band 5 RN Operational Discharge and Flow Support Team
The closing date is 04 May 2026
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:
* Discharge coordination, working with the Integrated Discharge Team, Patient Flow Facilitators, ward teams and the Operations Centre team.
* Maintaining accurate data on our eWhiteboards.
* Supporting transport arrangements.
* Patient engagement and experience – working together to support patients’ safe and timely transfer both on the day of admission and to the Discharge Lounge on their discharge date.
* Be flexible and responsive with the ability to move between tasks quickly and efficiently.
* Medicines management – supporting patients with TTOs.
* Providing clinical leadership for the Band 3 HCSW.
Job responsibilities
* Proactive planning for same‑day and next‑day discharges, working collaboratively with the Duty Manager and the Integrated Discharge Team (IDT), Patient Flow Facilitators (PFFs), ward teams and the Operations Centre.
* Ensuring discharge lounges are operational from 08:30 hrs to facilitate early patient transfers and bed availability.
Data Accuracy and Digital Tools
* Maintaining accurate and timely updates on electronic whiteboards (eWhiteboards) to reflect real‑time patient status.
* 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
* Ensuring TTOs and discharge summaries are prepared and verified the day prior to planned discharge, reducing delays and improving patient safety.
* Clinical discussions with Medical and Nursing teams as necessary.
Transport Arrangements
* Confirming appropriate patient transport is pre‑arranged and meets individual needs.
* Encouraging and supporting patients to arrange their own transport wherever clinically appropriate, promoting independence and reducing Trust costs.
Patient Engagement and Experience
* Meet and greet patients identified for discharge lounge transfer, providing clear communication about the process and expected timelines, ensuring consistency of service when on alternative site/leave etc.
* Co‑ordinating packing, collection and transfer of patients, property and medications to the discharge lounge on the morning of discharge.
* Supporting patients with breakfast as required and contacting relatives/carers to confirm collection details and discharge lounge location.
Operational Oversight and Escalation
* Monitoring progress of all discharge actions, escalating barriers promptly to the lead or Duty Manager or clinical leads for the Operations Centre Team.
* 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.
* Co‑ordinating Band 3 activity according to greatest need.
* Effective and appropriate delegation and review of allocated tasks.
Flexibility and Responsiveness
* Ability to redeploy rapidly to areas of greatest operational pressure.
* Anticipating demand and adapting to evolving site requirements, maintaining a proactive whats next? approach to patient flow.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
* Maintaining regular communication with the Band 7 lead for the team, Duty Manager and Site Coordinator to ensure alignment with operational priorities.
* Developing strong relationships with key stakeholders across clinical and non‑clinical teams, fostering open and supportive communication channels.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
* Professional UK registration e.g. NMC, HCP.
* Degree level education or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through a combination of alternative study or employment experience.
* Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing, moving and handling patients and equipment safely, and shift pattern.
Experience and Knowledge
* Completed clinical placements in a variety of areas.
* Knowledge of the management of in‑patients and out‑patients including evidence‑based strategies.
* Experience of staff supervision, and the ability to delegate appropriately and professionally.
Additional Criteria
* 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).
* Multidisciplinary team working.
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.
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£32,073 to £39,043 a year Per annum pro rata
#J-18808-Ljbffr