Detailed job description and main responsibilities To be responsible for coordinating discharge plans for defined groups of patients from the point of admission. Ensuring that discharges are completed in an efficient way in line with expected timeframes to contribute to reducing length of stay for the benefit of the patient and the Trust. To be a key point of contact and liaise between the patient, their family / carer, the discharge team, the Multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and external partners. To proactively address actions required to support discharge ensuring excellent communication with all stakeholders to promote efficient safe and timely discharge. To identify barriers to discharge plans and work proactively to address these with the MDT and escalating appropriately when additional support is required. To keep digital systems up to date ensuring data is submitted in a timely manner and patient information is accurate. Primarily working with patients on complex discharge pathways and have identified needs to support a safe discharge across various ward areas and directorates Facilitate discharges in line with Discharge Ready Dates (DRD) monitoring progress against these timescales, reporting and escalating when there is a slippage against the target date Work pro-actively to identify barriers and initiate early actions to address these To ensure the MDT, including partner organisations, as well as the patient and their family / carer are updated in regards to discharge plans Liaise with the MDT to ensure all referrals are done efficiently and accurately to progress the discharge plan Where appropriate attend MDT case reviews to gather relevant information to use for progressing the discharge plans Where delays are identified use negotiation and assertiveness to ensure stakeholders know the importance of their timely completion of tasks to ensure the DRD is achieved Optimise use of various agencies to provide on-going support for patients Take an active role in the daily board rounds ensuring information sharing and understanding of key tasks required in order to progress timely discharges Provide support in sharing resources and information on services appropriate to discharge, for example, social services, rehabilitation services, district nurses etc. Person specification Qualifications Essential criteria Educated to Level 3, A Level, BTEC, NVQ or equivalent Experience Essential criteria Experience of working with the general public Experience of working in a team Experience of working under pressure Experience of organising and prioritising workload Desirable criteria NHS experience Handling sensitive information Experience in Hospital computer systems Knowledge Essential criteria Sound information of information governance Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications Knowledge of Adult safeguarding Awareness of equality and diversity requirements Desirable criteria Knowledge of patient flow and bed management Knowledge of discharge pathways It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Employer certification / accreditation badges