County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
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:
* Enable fast-track progression of the discharge process for patients wishing to exercise choice in their preferred place of care/death and for palliative care patients with complex discharge management needs.
* Support patients and carers.
* Support education, facilitate, and provide resources to staff both within and outside the Trust.
* Actively participate in clinical audit activities.
* 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 promote optimal use of resources.
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—and have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland. We also provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield, and Weardale, as well as over 80 other community-based settings and in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over-reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date 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 an HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship. Sponsorship will only be considered if you meet this criterion and have a current visa expiring within 3 months.
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will be part of the Specialist Palliative Care team that provides high-quality specialist palliative care services for patients and families.
Working with ward medical and nursing teams, rehabilitation, discharge management, and community-based services to facilitate discharge and increase 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 for patients, acting as an autonomous practitioner offering advice to primary and secondary care staff regarding the care of patients in this group.
Undertake home visits when required.
Work collaboratively within a team to guide colleagues in multidisciplinary teams through the discharge process, ensuring safe, effective, and timely transfers, and influencing resource use.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
* Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.
* Ability to work flexibly when service needs require.
Skills & Knowledge
* Excellent communication and counselling skills in clinical settings and with healthcare professionals.
* Commitment to ongoing professional development.
* Experience in teaching across disciplines.
* Recent practice in cancer/specialist palliative care.
* Strategic thinking and ability to see the bigger picture.
* Clear and concise communication skills, both oral and written.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Influencing, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
* Organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
* Sensitivity and compassion in complex situations.
* Effective teaching and presentation skills.
* Proactive approach to palliative and end-of-life care.
Statutory Registration
* Registered health professional.
Experience
* 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 qualification in palliative care or oncology.
* Teaching qualification.
* Knowledge of policies influencing palliative care services.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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