Job overview
Clinical Band 7 RN Operational Discharge and Flow Support
The new HHFT Operational Discharge and Flow Support Team has been formed via the merger of the existing Discharge Lounge and Transfer Teams on the Winchester and Basingstoke sites, and we are excited to recruit into our Band 7 RN Clinical role.
Working collaboratively with the Site and Duty team, In-patient and clinical areas, and our 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.
Main duties of the job
Potential candidates must have an interest in Discharge and Flow, and must be motivated and passionate in supporting the new Operational Discharge and Flow Support Team, the Operations Centre Team, and therefore the Trust to achieve Clinical and Operational targets.
The Band 7 will actively participate, encourage, and drive the team to work dynamically with key stakeholders to provide targeted support to alleviate blockages and barriers to flow. They will use sound clinical judgement, reasoning and leadership skills to facilitate inpatient and assessment areas to utilise the Discharge Lounges to their full potential, and assist early identification of suitable patients - ensuring that all members of the team utilise our IT systems to facilitate this, and update data accurately. Patients will be prepared in the days leading up to discharge for seamless transfer to the lounges where they will receive appropriate care until discharge. They will undertake and delegate clinical transfers and ensure that they communicate effectively with the Duty Manager to intuitively and proactively create flow across the hospital sites in a flexible and responsive manner.
They will be responsible for the day to day leadership and management of the Operational Discharge and Flow Support Team, including rostering, training and education, Sickness/ performance monitoring and annual leave, participating in all HR processes in conjunction with the Clinical Leads for the team.
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
1. Discharge Preparation and Coordination
2. 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.
3. Ensuring discharge lounges are operational from 08:30 hrs to facilitate early patient transfers and bed availability.
4. Appropriate delegation of duties to RNs and HCSW.
Data Accuracy and Digital Tools
5. Maintaining accurate and timely updates on electronic whiteboards (eWhiteboards) to reflect real-time patient status.
6. 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
7. Ensuring TTOs and discharge summaries are prepared and verified the day prior to planned discharge, reducing delays and improving patient safety.
8. Clinical discussions with Medical and Nursing teams as necessary.
9. Explain and Issue TTOs to patients leaving the Discharge Lounges ensuring understanding
10. Raise any medication queries with the appropriate medic/ pharmacist
Transport Arrangements
11. Confirming appropriate patient transport is pre-arranged and meets individual needs in the days leading up to discharge
12. Ensure any specialist requirements are recognised and arranged in good time.
13. Escalate any concerns to SCAS PTS Hospital Liaison Officer( HLO)
14. Encourage and support patients to arrange their own transport wherever clinically appropriate, promoting independence and reducing Trust costs.
Patient Engagement and Experience
15. “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.
16. Coordinate packing, collection, and transfer of patients, property, and medications to the discharge lounge on the morning of discharge.
17. Support patients with breakfast as required and contacting relatives/carers to confirm collection details and discharge lounge location.
Operational Oversight and Escalation
18. Monitoring progress of all discharge actions, escalating barriers promptly to the lead or Duty Manager or clinical leads for the Operations Centre Team.
19. 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.
20. Coordinate band 5 and Band 3 activity according to greatest need.
21. Effective and appropriate delegation and review of allocated tasks.
22. Ensure Both Discharge Lounges are open and operational and staffing meets daily opening hour requirements.
23. Maintain, observe and report any concerns regarding Health Safety requirements for the Discharge Lounges.
24. Work across both Winchester and Basingstoke sites.
25. General Day to Day leadership and management of the team.
Flexibility and Responsiveness
26. Ability to redeploy self and team rapidly to areas of greatest operational pressure.
27. Anticipating demand and adapting to evolving site requirements, maintaining a proactive “what’s next?” approach to patient flow.
28. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
29. Maintaining regular communication with the Duty Manager and Site Coordinator to ensure alignment with operational priorities.
30. Developing strong relationships with key stakeholders across clinical and non-clinical teams, fostering open and supportive communication channels
31. Promote and educate the function of the Team - actively seek engagement from Key Stakeholders.
Person specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential criteria
32. Professional UK registration e.g. NMC, HCP
33. Master’s level education or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through any combination of alternative study, or employment experience
34. Able to manage workload to provide both clinical and management expertise
Desirable criteria
35. Level 5 Certificate/Diploma in Management and Leadership, or equivalent
36. Key interest in Operational Discharge and Flow
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
37. Experience of staff supervision, and the ability to delegate appropriately and professionally
38. Knowledge of the management of in-patients on complex pathways, including the relevant discharge planning processes, including 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.
39. Understanding of health environment policies and legislation including Clinical, HR, E&D, Governance. Adherence to current statutory requirements, standards and regulations, awareness of local and national agenda within the speciality.
40. Customer Service experience i.e. dealing with complaints, to manage any barriers to information
Desirable criteria
41. Experience/ awareness of Operations Centre Team and or transfer team/ Integrated Discharge teams roles and responsibilities
Additional Criteria
Essential criteria
42. Willingness to work across both Basingstoke and Winchester sites
43. Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing, moving and handling patients and equipment safely, and shift pattern
Desirable criteria
44. Experience/ awareness of Operations Centre Team and or transfer team/ Integrated Discharge teams roles and responsibilities