Job Summary
Discharge units are areas within hospitals where patients who have been discharged from inpatient care wait before leaving the hospital. Discharge Units help manage hospital bed occupancy by allowing patients to vacate their beds while waiting for final discharge arrangements, such as transportation or medication. The Discharge Units are designed to streamline the discharge process, create inpatient bed capacity and provide a comfortable area for patients waiting for discharge arrangements to allow them to leave the acute hospital setting. The discharge unit staff are also responsible for transferring patients between wards to create capacity for patients requiring admission to hospital enabling effective patient flow front and back of house.
Main Duties
The successful candidates will work in support of the registered nursing team in providing the fundamentals of care for our patients. You will be expected to undertake the Care Certificate to enhance your knowledge and the care that you provide. The role requires staff to work days and weekends.
About Us
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county. Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time': Being a clinically led organisation, Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust, A positive patient experience every time, A great place to work, Managing our money well. As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work. Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.
Details
* Date posted: 19 February 2026
* Pay scheme: Agenda for change
* Band: Band 3
* Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year pa pro rata
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
* Reference number: 262-A-26-7792559
* Job locations: West Cumberland Hospital, Homewood Rd, Whitehaven, CA28 8JG
Benefits
* 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years
* Flexible working scheme
* NHS Discounts
* Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
* Excellent opportunities for development
* Competitive NHS pension scheme
* Vivup free confidential counselling and information service
Job Responsibilities
Discharge unit staff are responsible for transferring patients between wards to create capacity for patients requiring admission to hospital enabling effective patient flow front and back of house.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
* Level 3 vocational qualification OR Short courses and completion of competency workbook equivalent to Level 3 in a range of patient and clinical care duties OR Equivalent knowledge and experience in a range of clinical care duties equivalent to Level 3
* Theoretical knowledge
* Experience of a range of care and related procedures
* Clinical observations
* Knowledge of data protection legislation and health and safety at work legislation
* National Care Certificate or commitment to complete within 12 weeks of commencing employment
* Numeracy and Literacy Level 2
Desirable Qualifications
* Undertaken relevant additional training for Clinical Support Workers
Essential Knowledge & Experience
* Experience of working in health or social care
* Experience of undertaking and recording clinical observations and escalating changes or findings
* Working knowledge of legislation underpinning care provision
* Understanding of the importance of robust, accurate, clear, timely documentation
* Insight into behaviours and skills of a carer and the need for effective team work
* Knowledge of Safeguarding
* Understanding work‑related boundaries
* Awareness of GDPR and the need for confidentiality
Desirable Knowledge & Experience
* Familiarity with current NHS and social care policies
* Computer skills
* Clinical policies and procedures
* Evidence of understanding of Trust Business
* Experience of working in the Trust previously
Essential Skills and Aptitudes
* Excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills. Ability to adopt appropriate styles and methods of communication
* Time‑keeping, planning and prioritisation skills
* Basic IT skills to use electronic patient records and other Trust systems
* Analytical and judgement skills to make decisions based on patient / service user interactions, observations and metrics
* Ability to demonstrate the importance of holistic person centred care and related procedures
* Attention to detail
* Ability to use initiative appropriately
* Ability to demonstrate the compassionate values and behaviours needed for dignified care
* Desire to encourage and support patients to remain as independent as possible
* Ability to deal with a wide range of people at all levels, including clients, carers, family, health and social care colleagues and other professionals
* Caring and empathetic
* Motivated and with a pro‑active approach
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Committed to providing high‑quality patient care
* Willingness to undertake job related training and multi‑disciplinary competencies for more effective patient care
* Personal resilience
* Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure
* Presents self as courteous, respectful and helpful and understands importance of professional image
* Reliable, adaptable and dependable
Desirable Skills and Aptitudes
* Keyboard skills
* Venepuncture
Essential Personal Circumstances
* Willing to work flexible hours including nights, weekends and bank holidays
* Flexible and versatile approach to meet the needs of the service
Desirable Personal Circumstances
* Ability to travel between the sites from which the Trust undertakes its business, or attend meetings or training off‑site
Other Requirements
* Promote equality and value diversity
* Adhere to Trust Values and professional behaviours
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. The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £6.50 = £28.00. Enhanced Check: £49.50 + administration cost of £6.50 = £56.00.
Employer Details
* North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
* West Cumberland Hospital
* Homewood Rd
* Whitehaven
* CA28 8JG
* https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/
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