Job Description

The responsibilities of a healthcare professional focused on supporting timely and safe patient discharges from acute care. Key duties include working collaboratively within the healthcare team, assessing and coordinating patient discharge needs, referring to the appropriate multidisciplinary staff, and supervising junior nurses. The role must be carried out in alignment with the Trust's core values: Communication, Kindness and Understanding, Fairness and Transparency, Working Together, and Excellence.



The post holder is responsible for providing a comprehensive service to the Trust, with a primary focus on facilitating the effective and timely discharge of patients who no longer require acute care. They actively participate as a member of the healthcare team, assisting with patient flow and ensuring safe discharge processes as directed by the Ward Manager and shift coordinators. The role involves assessing and evaluating the discharge needs of patients and making appropriate referrals to members of the multidisciplinary team to arrange necessary care. Additionally, the post holder supervises and trains junior nursing staff, supporting their development in planning safe and timely discharges. All duties are carried out in accordance with the Trust's core values, which include Communication, Kindness and Understanding, Fairness and Transparency, Working Together, and Excellence.



At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.



We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.



As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.



We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack:

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/



The Sterile Services Department is responsible for the provision of an instrument tray to all theatres, departments and wards on the St. Richards, Worthing and Southlands sites and supplementary instruments/packs to specialist users based in the community/district, for use in direct patient care. This service is compliant with ISO 13485 - Quality System, UK Medical Device Directive 2002, Health Service Circular 2000 (032) - Instrument Tracking, and the Health and Social Care Act.



Main Duties and Responsibilities



Communication



To communicate all relevant information within the team to ensure the continual and efficient running of the service To communicate and liaise between decontamination personnel, customers and other members of healthcare staff in a polite and helpful manner. To attend and actively participate in the Department's meetings To work as part of a team and liaise with the multidisciplinary team in a professional manner at all times

Risk Management



Promote a risk management culture within your working environment and ensuring participation and involvement of all staff, in line with the Trust's risk management strategy and policies. Identify potential risks that may impact on the Trusts ability and communicate these effectively. Health & safety is the responsibility of all staff and the postholder is required to take due care at work, report any accidents or untoward occurrences and comply with the Trust Health & Safety policy.

Service Delivery and Improvement



To test all plant, including washer disinfectors, ultrasonics and autoclaves to ensure compliance with all current standards. Undertake daily tests on the department's equipment to ensure compliance with UK Legislation. To operate complex disinfection/sterilization decontamination machinery/systems. Provide a comprehensive decontamination service to theatres, wards departments and the community. Meet the demands of the department's workload whilst consistently achieving high quality standards.

Patient Care Delivery



The Trust has a statutory duty to ensure that patients, clients and members of the public are consulted and involved in decisions about local health service developments. You should be mindful of this and do what you can, as appropriate to your role and level of responsibility, to meet this duty. To participate in the Bank holiday and on-call rota. Provide a comprehensive decontamination service to theatres, wards departments and the community. Meet the demands of the department's workload whilst consistently achieving high quality standards.

Learning and Development



Attend mandatory training updates as required. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager. Participate in the Trust's appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service. Ensure that self and staff participate in the relevant mandatory training. Undertake the technical certificate

Please see job description & person specs full details



Main Duties and Responsibilities



Specific responsibilities of the role requires a consistent and coordinated approach to the operational management of patient flow, with an emphasis on an on-going and 'real time' understanding of the wards current and predicted capacity position and the timely and well-timed discharge process.



These will be subject to training, local protocols/Trust policies and formal assessment of competency



Management



1. Manage the discharge of an identified group of patients to ensure flow is maintained. To ensure adherence to the BSUH standard for patients to access their beds, in line with national standards.



2. You will be available as the primary point of contact for the multidisciplinary team including the discharge team and will be expected to feed back any issues or complex cases to the Ward Manager, Discharge Coordinators in your area or Matrons.



3. Attend the daily board rounds, and safety huddles, taking actions to support the wards and patient flow for that day. This will include updating of the Real Time Bed State (RTBS) and use of Medway to update patients estimated discharge date, (EDD).



4. Reviewing all patients each day noting which patients are for discharge within 48hrs, and supporting the preparation for discharge, and escalating delays to the Ward Manager, Matron or nurse in charge. This will be updated on RTBS/Medway daily and will improve communication within the ward and trust operations team hence improving patient flow.



5. When required, assist with the completion and sending of other referral forms for Multi-disciplinary Team within Trust and Community such as Community Services or Inpatient Rehabilitation referrals.



6. Ensure early identification and referral of patients needing repatriation to other hospitals. Initiate escalation process advising cardiac bed manager of patient's details.



7. Early diagnostic tests are expedited promptly and escalate any delays to the appropriate person.



8. Assist in organising transfers between wards and external transfers.



9. Liaise with Pharmacy when required regarding Discharge Medication.



10. Booking Discharge Transport



11. Support the full utilization of the Discharge Lounge throughout the day, and encourage the use of this to team.



12. Work closely with the Nursing Team to ensure patient safety is of most importance at all times.



13. Participate in MDT and discharge planning meetings. Update and implement daily discharge plans for a group of patients ensuring timely, safe patient discharge, utilising the whiteboard/ Medway and ensuring that the RTBS is live and updated correctly.



14. Ensuring that all patients at the MDT meeting are assigned to a discharge pathway, to allow for an effective and streamlined discharge process.



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