Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustComplex Discharge Specialist NurseJob summaryAn opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated individual to join the Complex Discharge Team at CUH as a Band 6 Specialist Support Nurse.You will work within the ward environment alongside the multidisciplinary team liaising with community partners, patients, families, and carers to plan, facilitate and optimise complex patient discharges from the hospital.
You will be part of an existing team of Specialist Support Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Discharge Co-ordinators who currently support all adult inpatient areas across CUH. You will be part of a dedicated team working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for all our patients, keeping them at the centre of what we do.
You will work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary health and social care teams within both CUH and community teams to navigate the patients across pathways to ensure a safe discharge once deemed clinically fit for discharge. The Specialist Support Nurse will escalate issues with external organisations to prevent a delayed discharge through agreed escalation process. Negotiation with staff, services and patients will be a vital part of this role to ensure the patient journey is progressed appropriately and safely.
You will support ward professionals in agreeing the pathway for discharge from hospital in accordance with agreed policies and professional guidelines and complete onwards referrals for care support across all discharge pathways.
Main duties of the job- To work within the Complex Discharge Team providing a seven-day service including weekends & bank holidays assessing patients' needs for a safe discharge. Working with health and social care teams, the post holder will agree the most appropriate pathway of care to support discharge from hospital.
- To provide a proactive and continuous approach to complex discharge planning. This will involve the continual prioritization of workload to ensure all discharge cases are managed in a timely manner.
- To consider "Home First" as the preferred Discharge Pathway, evidencing clearly rationale for any provision of bed-based care.
- To communicate with patients and their families/carers from admission regarding discharge planning. This will include taking patient history regarding social circumstances, establishing with the patient their wishes post-discharge and signposting and referring to relevant services.
- To provide relevant and accurate information to patients and their families regarding discharge plans in a timely way enabling them to make informed decisions regarding discharge plans.
- To provide sign posting information to patients and their carers regarding external services i.e. Voluntary sector
- To obtain feedback from patients regarding their experience about the discharge planning process to inform the development of discharge processes and prevention of poor future discharges.
- Act as an effective MDT member in managing discharges and progress the patients' journey.
About usCome Nurse with us...Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It's a great place to nurse, work and live.
You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of
Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.
Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?- Our values and reputation for outstanding care
- Opportunities to experience a range of specialities
- Career and development opportunities
- Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team
- Research experience and opportunities
- Lovely location and quality of life
- Excellent schools/colleges and transport links (road, rail and air)
DetailsDate posted: 13 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 180-F-COO048
Job locations: Addenbrookes Hospital-Corporate, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start
This vacancy will close at midnight on 27 July 2026
Interviews are due to be held on 12 Aug 2026
Benefits to youAt Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person SpecificationQualificationsEssential- Registered nurse - with a minimum of 2 years ward based clinical experience
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Teaching or mentoring qualification
- Post registration qualification in speciality or willingness to complete
DesirableExperienceEssential- Demonstrate expert nursing skills
- Evidence of mentorship/preceptorship roles
- Accept personal accountability for own practice
- Experience of formal/informal teaching
Desirable- Experience in a leadership role at ward level
KnowledgeEssential- Understanding of evidence based practice
- Understanding of Clinical Governance
- Understanding and knowledge of specialist field
SkillsEssential- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Capable of working as an integral member of a small team
- Adaptable to changing situations due to both workload and colleagues needs
- Ability to undertake teaching of staff and patients
- Ability to work unsupervised and manage own workload; effective time management.
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Commitment to multidisciplinary working.
Desirable- Assertiveness/perceptive counselling skills
- Documentation, audit and presentation skills
- Leadership skills
Additional RequirementsEssential- To act in a professional manner at all times in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct
- Capable of developing liaisons with other practice areas/academic institutions.
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of safe, kind, excellent.
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer detailsEmployer name: Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Addenbrookes Hospital-Corporate, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
Employer's website: https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Apply through our website)
Employer contact detailsFor questions about the job, contact:Clinical Nurse Specialist, June Jones, june.jones14@nhs.net, 01223388399
