Senior Specialist Discharge Practitioner

· Support the Hospital Discharge Lead in the development and implementation of Trust Discharge Process and Policy.
· To be responsible for the operational management and service delivery processes within the discharge team. This includes line management of the discharge administrators and Team Administrator, managing and monitoring resources within a defined budget and contributing to the corporate agenda.
· To lead and promote a quality service using research and evidence based practice including the setting and monitoring of clinical standards relating to discharge.
· To act as the clinical lead within the team on the management of simple and complex discharge processes in collaboration with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers, legal representatives and the capacity management team.
· Support the maximisation of patient flow throughout for emergency and elective activity.
· Actively facilitate reduction in length of stay.
· Improve the patients experience and outcomes in relation to the discharge process.
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager., · In liaison with ward staff, community, social services and other healthcare colleagues facilitate timely, appropriate and safe discharge of patients.
· Work as part of the hospital based discharge team to ensure standards relating to discharge practice are evidence based (in accordance with the HCPC/NMC Code of Professional Conduct, and The Trusts Discharge Policy).
· Demonstrate clinical knowledge/expertise at the level of advanced practice in the field of discharge planning and act as a source of specialist expertise for the wards.
· Actively promote awareness of safe discharge processes for patients and their carers in order to prevent re-admission to hospital.
· Empower ward staff to work closely with social care teams in support of the implementation of the Reimbursement Policy (DOH 2004),
· To promote the use of estimated date of discharge and reinforce within the multi-disciplinary teams; the need to ensure that all patients and carers are advised both verbally and in writing.
· To promote and ensure that early bed release guidelines are adhered to ; ensuring that all appropriate patients are moved to the discharge lounge.
· Promote nurse led discharges at weekends and assist on competency levels to empower staff both at ward level and within the discharge team.
· To have a good knowledge and understanding of mental capacity and deprivation of liberty legislation and other legal frameworks, · Support the Hospital Discharge Lead in the development and implementation of Trust Discharge Process and Policy.
· To be responsible for the operational management and service delivery processes within the discharge team. This includes line management of the discharge administrators and Team Administrator, managing and monitoring resources within a defined budget and contributing to the corporate agenda.
· To lead and promote a quality service using research and evidence based practice including the setting and monitoring of clinical standards relating to discharge.
· To act as the clinical lead within the team on the management of simple and complex discharge processes in collaboration with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, carers, legal representatives and the capacity management team.
· Support the maximisation of patient flow throughout for emergency and elective activity.
· Actively facilitate reduction in length of stay.
· Improve the patients experience and outcomes in relation to the discharge process.
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager.
n liaison with ward staff, community, social services and other healthcare colleagues facilitate timely, appropriate and safe discharge of patients.
· Work as part of the hospital based discharge team to ensure standards relating to discharge practice are evidence based (in accordance with the HCPC/NMC Code of Professional Conduct, and The Trusts Discharge Policy).
· To support the clinical continuing care team in the provision of assessment, so that discharge is not delayed for patients who require a checklist and full decision tool for ongoing care in the community.
· Contribute to the patient care agenda; ensuring Department of Health standards for Better Health are incorporated into all discharge processes.
· Lead on programmes of standard setting and audit to implement change that meets patients' requirements and improves standards. Seek feedback from patients and carers.
· Develop and maintain own competence in agreed basic and advanced clinical skills relating to discharge processes.
· Demonstrate clinical knowledge/expertise at the level of advanced practice in the field of discharge planning and act as a source of specialist expertise for the wards.
· Actively promote awareness of safe discharge processes for patients and their carers in order to prevent re-admission to hospital.
· Identify critical delays in the entire diagnostic, treatment and care process including internal and external agencies to the Trust. Be proactive in generating solutions and addressing delays to avoid extended length of stay.
· Empower ward staff to work closely with social care teams in support of the implementation of the Reimbursement Policy (DOH 2004), ensuring social services referrals e.g. section 2 and 5's are sent in a timely manner in order that the Trust can be reimbursed for any delays.
· To identify patients suitable to move out of the acute Trust for rehabilitation.
· To promote the use of estimated date of discharge and reinforce within the multi-disciplinary teams; the need to ensure that all patients and carers are advised both verbally and in writing.
· To promote and ensure that early bed release guidelines are adhered to ; ensuring that all appropriate patients are moved to the discharge lounge.
· To provide support and advice to pre-assessment clinics in the identification of potential discharge problems and generate solutions; thereby facilitating early discharge and potential need for multi- disciplinary involvement.
· Promote nurse led discharges at weekends and assist on competency levels to empower staff both at ward level and within the discharge team.
· Work flexibly in shift patterns to meet the needs of the Trust, including bank holidays, unsocial hours, cross site working and weekend working.
· Have highly developed levels of communication. Ensure all levels of staff within the Trust and the community, patients' carers and relatives have concise information pertaining to discharge; whilst addressing special needs.
· Actively support and facilitate the transfer of patients who are privately funding their care to prevent extended length of stay.
· To adhere to the Protocol of Choice as per Trust Policy to family and carers within the agreed time framework to avoid extended length of stay.
· To have a good knowledge and understanding of mental capacity and deprivation of liberty legislation and other legal frameworks.
· To be able to identify and report safeguarding adult patients to the relevant agencies as per Trust policy and to attend safeguarding adult meetings with social services if the need arises.
· In the event of a major incident, support the immediate transfer and discharge of patients in order to facilitate capacity.
· In conjunction with Head of Capacity and Head of Discharge services; contribute to service development process redesign within the discharge team and related areas.
Contribute to professional and operational policy, protocol and procedure development

Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites-Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital-along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.
We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

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+ Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.