Job summary
Are you a motivated and enthusiastic Nurse or Occupational Therapist who wants to make a real difference?

We are looking for a Clinical Specialist Discharge Facilitator to join our Inpatient Pathway Team. The team works across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire, supporting timely and effective discharge planning for patients within our inpatient services.

We welcome applications from candidates with experience of working in older adult mental health services and/or those with experience in discharge planning, patient flow, or related services.

This is a part-time role working 18.75 hours per week, based at New Haven Hospital, Bromsgrove. Due to the part-time nature of the post, the working pattern is negotiable. You will be expected to travel to other sites as required; however, travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with the Trust's expenses policy.

Applicants must read the attached guidance notes before submitting your application for full understanding of Trust requirements.

Main duties of the job
The Clinical Specialist Discharge Facilitator is responsible for leading and coordinating complex discharge planning processes for patients within Specialist Mental Health and Learning Disability inpatient services.

Working autonomously and collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, community services, local authorities, commissioners, patients, families and carers, the post holder will facilitate safe, timely and least restrictive discharges that promote recovery and independence.

The role provides specialist expertise in patient flow, discharge planning, Section 117 aftercare and complex care pathways, identifying and addressing barriers to discharge and escalating risks where appropriate.

The post holder will act as an advocate for patients, support service development and quality improvement initiatives, provide expert advice and education to colleagues, and contribute to effective resource management across inpatient services to improve patient outcomes and reduce avoidable delays in transfer of care.

About us
At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are working together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites.

We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work-life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.

What we offer;

• 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
• Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
• Flexible and agile working opportunities
• Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support
• Wide range of supportive staff networks
• Health and wellbeing opportunities

If you would like to know more, please visit our website Staff benefits | Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Sharing your data - As a data controller we may sometimes need to process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you (optional), to support the Trusts understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust.

Job responsibilities

• To work in collaboration with the ward multidisciplinary team, Social Services, and other relevant personnel at both the hospital and community to plan and manage timely and appropriate transfers of care (discharge) for patients from the hospital.
• To be responsible for identifying potential complex discharges on/ during admission, and in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team set and monitor discharge dates
• To attend weekly bed management meetings to discuss and support the transfer of care arrangements for patients.
• To identify and escalate delays in discharges to the Inpatient Pathway Manager.
• Act as a resource for patients, relatives and carers requiring information on discharge processes, services available and all other issues related to discharge
• To work in partnership with the wards, community teams and external Health agencies in relation to the provision of all aspects of care following discharge.

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Qualifications
Essential

• Current professional qualification and registration in nursing or occupational therapy.
• Degree or equivalent in healthcare subject.
• Evidence of continued professional development and reflective practice.

Desirable

• Master's degree in a health related subject
• Post graduate training in leadership or management
• Further specialist mental health training.

Experience
Essential

• Previous experience in managing in health or social care.
• Working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of assessing and providing care to people with complex needs.
• Extensive knowledge of acute inpatient provision.
• Experience of working in collaboration across organisational boundaries.
• Experience of teaching and training others.
• Experience of providing evidence based care.
• Experience of undertaking autonomous mental health assessments.
• An understanding of health and social care.
• Awareness of health service priorities e.g. commissioning a patient led NHS, practice based commissioning etc.
• Understanding of clinical governance and implications for the provider services.
• Partnership and interagency working.
• Demonstrable successful innovation in clinical practice or service development/pathway development.

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of recent developments in the NHS and application of research-based practice, particularly in relation to patient flow and discharge planning.
• Extensive understanding of ICB processes in respect of funding (117 aftercare & 117 who pays guidance).
• Knowledge of care pathways, service models relevant to service areas.
• Knowledge of Professional Code of Conduct. Knowledge and understanding of adult and child protection issues.
• Knowledge of resource management.
• Audit, research, evidence base, development of clinical guidelines.

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English in both verbal and written formats.
• Evidence of expertise in clinical skills.
• Computer skills/information technology skills - can use computer systems to retrieve and access information.
• Delegation and commitment to team development.

Additional Criteria
Essential

• Able to meet the travel requirements of the role
• Demonstrates an understanding of cultural issues and its relevance to mental health care.

This 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.

Applications 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).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).