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Job overview

The post holder will work as part of the Discharge Team, working within the Discharge Lounge. Provide direct patient care and undertake duties as delegated by the qualified nurse, working within capabilities and competence. They will receive handover for patients from the wards and actively encourage patients to be transferred to the discharge lounge. The post holder will ensure the highest quality of care is provided to patients at all times for patients waiting in the discharge lounge, and will ensure discharges take place in a timely and efficient manner. They will ensure a clean and safe environment for patients and relatives, as well as assisting with clerical and housekeeping duties.

Main duties of the job

Receive handover for patients on the wards and encourage patients to be transferred to DL. Ensure discharge of patients from the lounge takes place in a timely efficient manner. Provide general reception duties for patients, being aware of the needs and concerns of patients and providing a friendly, efficient and courteous service to our patient’s relatives and visitors. Ensure patient records are updated on discharge, Book patient transport, escalating any delays where appropriate. Collect patients from wards suitable for the Discharge Lounge. Liaise with the CSM Team and ward staff to enable efficient bed management and patient flow. Liaise with ward staff and multidisciplinary teams, ensure that specialist equipment for discharge is available. Answer telephone enquiries in a polite and helpful manner. Establish a good working environment in which patients receive a quality service. Demonstrates sensitive and caring attitude towards patients and their relatives. Maintain effective communication with all disciplines, patients and relatives. Works within the Trusts and departmental policies and procedures. Support other team members in promoting and implementing procedures necessary for the development of the discharge service. Use Trust IT systems as required. Undertakes any other duties within capabilities deemed necessary by the Lead Nurse – Discharge Team. Ensures patient’s privacy and dignity is maintained at all times.

Working for our organisation

We are an integrated health and care Trust. We provide at our acute care hospitals (Epsom in Surrey and St Helier in south west London) we work with GPs, mental health services, community providers and local authorities, with the joint aim of preventing local people from becoming unwell, and they receive the right care, in the right place, with the right support. We offer a range of services, adult community health, sexual health and children's therapies. Community services are run by the partnerships, Surrey Downs Health and Care and Sutton Health and Care. We host and run the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Service – rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission– we have the largest nephrology service in the UK. We work as part of the St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospital and Health Group, with a shared leadership and collaboration to develop stronger clinical and corporate services. We are committed to making all of our work places great places to work, with the right support and culture to help you excel. 'Respect' is at the heart of everything we do. This means we want everyone who works with us to be able to do the best that they possibly can with opportunities available for everyone to grow and develop. We have no place for bullying, racism, discrimination or other poor behaviours. We continue to develop as a Trust and with our partners.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Receive handover for patients on the wards and actively encourage patients to be transferred to the discharge lounge.
• Ensure that the discharge of patients from the lounge takes place in a timely and efficient manner.
• Provide general reception duties for patients, being aware of the needs and concerns of patients and providing a friendly, efficient and courteous service to our patient’s relatives and visitors, providing them with advice and information as appropriate.
• Ensure that patient records are updated on discharge.
• To book patient transport, escalating any delays where appropriate.
• To collect patients from wards who are suitable for the Discharge Lounge.
• To liaise with the Clinical Site Management Team and ward staff to enable efficient bed management and patient flow.
• To liaise with ward staff and other multidisciplinary team members, to ensure that any specialist equipment for discharge is available.
• Monitor and request stationary in line with local procedures.
• Promptly answer telephone enquiries, taking and relaying messages in a polite and helpful manner, taking action as appropriate.
• As a member of the nursing team, participate in establishing a good working environment in which patients receive a quality service.
• Demonstrates a sensitive and caring attitude towards patients and their relatives and friends.
• Works in a collaborative manner within a multi-disciplinary framework.
• Takes an active role in maintaining effective communication with all disciplines, patients and relatives.
• Follows agreed Health and Safety policies in relation to personal and patient safety.
• Works within the Trusts and departmental policies and procedures.
• Keeps up to date with personal development.
• Willingness to learn and undertake new skills as required by the service.
• Actively supports other team members in promoting and implementing procedures necessary for the development of the discharge service.
• Able to use Trust IT systems as required.
• Undertakes any other duties within capabilities deemed necessary by the Lead Nurse – Discharge Team.
• Ensures that patient’s privacy and dignity is maintained at all times.
• Following a period of training and assessment by qualified staff is able to assist in performing and recording of patient observations (if required)
• The post holder will undertake any other duties which may be reasonably regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities and grade of the post defined, subject to the provision that appropriate training is given. This job description is a reflection of the current situation but may be subject to amendment in the light of development or changes within the department