Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen to help us enhance our in-patient services to ensure we provide the best patient experience and clinical outcomes. Are you looking for a new challenge? Do you enjoy working within a team?



Do you like working at a fast pace and want to make a positive contribution to the patient experience?



This role is fundamental in supporting patient flow throughout the trust and maximising the use of resources across Health & Social Care systems. The main focus of this role will include supporting the ward staff to expedite discharges, both simple and complex patients awaiting their discharge.



We are looking for enthusiastic, driven and motivated staff, to complement our existing team. Excellent communication skills and knowledge of national patient flow drivers are essential for the role.



The Discharge Support Assistant (DSA) will be expected to work as part of the multidisciplinary (MDT) ward team under the direction of the Nurse in Charge.



They will co-ordinate and facilitate the safe and timely discharge of patients from the Intermediate Care Unit (ICU) in line with the SCFT trust standards and policies to ensure the patients journey is as smooth as possible and without any unnecessary delays.

The Multidisciplinary Intermediate Care Teams comprise of:

Medics, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Ward Managers, Nurses, Health care Support Workers, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, rehab Support Workers and Ward Administrators.

They are supported by:

General Manager, Locality Matron and Deputy Matron



The team delivers excellent patient centred care to support individuals to return to their chosen place of residence after a period of recovery and rehabilitation.



We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.



Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.



Why work for us?

Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement Excellent training, development, and research opportunities Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values -- Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence --guide everything we do.



We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.



This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.



Key Responsibilities



Work with the MDT to facilitate safe and timely discharge



Ensure that all patients and their relatives/carers are aware of discharge plans and the expected date of discharge.



Effectively monitor patient progress towards agreed discharge dates taking action to ensure delays are promptly addressed by the relevant service /individual.



Provide the ward manager, or an appropriate Nurse in Charge, with up-to-date information on the discharge progress of individual patients ensuring any anticipated delays are highlighted.



Liaise with the ward manager, or an appropriate Nurse in Charge, the Matron and the Head of Capacity and Escalation for advice and support in managing complex discharges



Liaise with the System Capacity and Flow team in a timely way to ensure patient flow (discharges from and admission to ICU) is maintained including notifying the team when a patient has been discharged



Ensure accurate and up to date documentation within the patient records, detailing progression of discharge plans.



Support the ward manager in the collection of accurate data regarding Medically Ready for Discharge (MRD) patients in advance of the regular Medically Ready for Discharge Forums and any Multi Agency Discharge Events (MADE).



Build good relationships with other team members (both internal and external)



Contribute to the delivery of patient flow improvements including for example " golden discharge" initiatives, SAFER bundle etc - as directed and implemented in the Trust



Facilitate ward welcome meetings for patients arriving in the ICU



Main Tasks



Coordinate Best Interest Meetings/Decision Support Tool (DST) assessments/Case conferences/MDT meetings as required, ensuring notes are taken and action plans are agreed.



Complete discharge checklist using SystmOne (S1)



Send discharge letters via S1 to the patients allocated GP within the first 24 hours of discharge



Assist in the requisition of equipment required on discharge, liaising with appropriate agencies to ensure availability for date of discharge including arranging transport as required.



Make onward referrals and requests to SCFT services, adult social care, other community providers, voluntary and private sectors according to ongoing identified health and social care need



Ensure that follow up appointments are scheduled and communicated to the ward team to ensure that the patient receives their prescribed care/treatment



Support the MDT by attendance at relevant discharge related meetings such as board meetings, MDT meetings as required



Ensure each patient is discharged with any required equipment/supplies that have been specified as discharge dependent.