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Palliative Care Discharge Facilitator
The closing date is 28 May 2025
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high-performing organisation with a track record of success and have been rated as Outstanding by the CQC for our Palliative and End of Life Care. This Band 6 post offers an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified and experienced Nurse/AHP to work within the Specialist Palliative Care team as a Discharge Facilitator in the Acute setting at DMH.
The post covers core hours of 09:00-17:00, Monday to Friday.
Main duties of the job
As a Palliative Care Discharge Facilitator, the successful candidate will:
1. Enable fast-track progression of the discharge process for patients wishing to exercise choice in their preferred place of care or death, and for palliative care patients with complex discharge management needs.
2. Support patients and carers.
3. Support staff through education, facilitation, and resource provision both within and outside the Trust.
4. Actively participate in clinical audit activities.
5. Work collaboratively as part of a team, providing advice and direct clinical support to colleagues within multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, effective, and timely transfers, and to optimize resource use.
About us
If you are being interviewed, you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated as essential in the person specification to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites — Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. Our services also include a planned care centre in Bishop Auckland, community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield, and Weardale, as well as over 80 community-based settings and home care.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.
Full Job Descriptions are available in the adverts supporting documents.
Over-reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged, as it may diminish applicants' chances of success.
For the most current information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th, 2025, healthcare assistants must have at least two years of NHS experience as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (consideration is only for those with a current visa expiring within three months).
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will be part of the Specialist Palliative Care team, providing high-quality specialist palliative care for patients and families.
Working with ward medical and nursing teams, rehabilitation, discharge management, and community services to facilitate discharges, increasing the number of palliative care patients able to die in their preferred place of care.
Identify patients nearing the end of life who wish to be discharged or transferred to their preferred place of care to die.
Provide a specialist/expert service, acting as an autonomous practitioner advising primary and secondary care staff on patient care within this specialist group.
Undertake home visits when required.
Collaborate with colleagues within multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, effective, and timely transfers, and to promote optimal resource use.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
* Ability to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.
* Flexibility to work hours as needed by the service.
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Excellent communication and counselling skills, both in clinical settings and with other healthcare professionals.
* Commitment to ongoing professional development.
* Experience in teaching across disciplines.
* Recent practice experience in cancer or specialist palliative care.
* Strategic thinking and big-picture awareness.
* Clear and concise communication skills, both oral and written.
* Ability to work autonomously and within a team.
* Strong influencing, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
* Organisational skills to prioritise and meet deadlines.
* Sensitivity and compassion in handling difficult or complex situations.
* Proactive approach to palliative and end-of-life care.
Statutory Registration
* Registered health professional.
Experience
* Proven track record of practice development.
* Effective communication at all organisational levels.
* Understanding of communication principles.
* Proactive approach to palliative and end-of-life care.
Qualifications
* Professional registration.
* Knowledge of palliative care symptom control and management.
* Advanced communication skills training or willingness to undertake.
* Post-registration accredited qualification in palliative care or oncology.
* Teaching qualification.
* Knowledge of national and regional policies affecting palliative care services.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any criminal convictions.
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