Job titleAdmissions and Discharge Co-ordinator

Job referenceSE2471

DepartmentInpatient Wards / Day Therapy Unit

LocationHampstead Hospice,

Reports toInpatient Ward Manager

Job Summary

The post holder is responsible for the pro-active co-ordination of admissions and discharges throughout the hospice, working closely with the Multi-Disciplinary Team

To be the first point of contact for hospice referrals and able to carry out initial clinical triage.

The post holder must work in accordance with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) code of professional conduct and Marie Curie Cancer Care policies and procedures.

Key working relationships
In Patient Ward Manager

Day Therapy Unit Manager

Nurses within the immediate team and whole hospice
Medical staff both within and external to the hospice
Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT)

Community nursing teams

Admin staff

Volunteers

Marie Curie Nursing Service (MCNS)Pharmacist

Trust palliative care teams

ReferrersGPs

Main Areas of Responsibility

Bed Management – In Patients

  • Act as the key co-coordinator for all inpatient admissions and discharges. ensuring that all admissions and discharges are in line with the hospice and national admission / discharge policies and processes
  • Work closely with the Ward Manager and MDT ensure maximum bed occupancy, ensure that patients are allocated to single gender accommodation (bays) and minimise unnecessary patient moves Ensure the appropriateness and timeliness of all referrals by assessing referral information and carry out initial triage to establish if referral appropriate, agreeing admissions with the MDT, and confirming and liaising with referrer the admission arrangements for each patient
  • Ensure out of area / non contractual referrals are managed affectively and funding obtained andraise invoices for non-contractual referrals
  • Ensure effective communication with members of the MDT by attending and providingregular ward updates for daily In Patient Wards handover meetings, weekly In Patient Wards discharge meeting, MDTand by maintaining an accurate bed status at all times
  • Facilitate and influence early and accurate multi-disciplinary assessment of patient needs to reduce the number of delayed discharges and to increase bed utilisation
  • Order and monitor the use of specialist equipment such as pressure mattresses, bariatric beds etc and ensure that this is returned promptly and contracts cancelled when no longer required
  • Liaise with the maintenance department regarding broken beds and equipment that may affect admissions and patient flow
  • Establish collaborative working relationships with current and potential referrers, to ensure effective and timely admissions and effective discharge / ongoing care provision in the community
  • Ensure that patients, relatives and carers are provided with information about discharge planning and have that information explained, so that they can be supported in their decision making to help promote and enable independence in a timely manner.
  • Work closely with the MCNS, in the London Boroughs that the hospice serves, where the service may be able to assist with patients being discharged home.
  • Assist the team with complex discharge planning, being proactive in liaising with social services and CHC to ensure that patients are discharged safely and without delayand act as a resource for the MDT in relation to any discharge planning related to homeless persons, vulnerable adults and asylum seekers
  • Liaise with pharmacist to ensure TTAs are ready for patients being discharged
  • Liaise with care / nursing homesto ensure timely assessments and completion of require documentation to facilitate discharge.
  • Develop close links with the London Ambulance Service with regard to discharge of bed bound patients
  • To act as a resource for staff by providing education and evidence based advice and information to advance discharge practice
  • Establish monitoring systems to highlight reasons for bed shortages, delayed admissions and discharges, long stay patients and assist with the review of incidents that affect bed availability / turnover
  • Ensure that hospice equipment that follows a patient discharge is returned to the hospice (ie syringe drivers)
  • Ensure that hospice equipment that follows a patient discharge is returned to the hospice (ie syringe drivers)
  • Check daily that all beds on the wards have a slide sheet in place

Day Therapy Unit (DTU)Patient flow

  • Work collaboratively with the DTU team and administration staff to ensure new patients triaged and first appointment arranged promptly
  • Establish collaborative working relationships with current and potential referrers, to ensure effective and appropriate referrals to DTU
  • Ensure out of area / non contractual referrals are highlighted and where possible funding obtained and invoiced
  • Assist DTU team to carry out quarterly audit of case-loads to ensure records of current patients are up to date
  • Liaise with facilities team and external transport providers to ensure that patients requiring transport to the hospice are supported where transport is available
  • Ensure effective communication between key people (internal and external) regarding patient flowand provide monthly admission / discharge updates for DTU MDT
  • Establish monitoring systems to highlight reasons for delayed / cancelled appointments, and long term patients

Education and Development

  • Ensures active participation in the development of standards, policies and guidelines and their subsequent audit and on-going development. This will be in line with the Hospice’s quality governance arrangements.
  • Contributes in the development of audit procedures whilst working within the clinical governance framework
  • Ensures that all new MDT team members have admission and discharge procedures training / familiarisation on induction and as part of further staff development programmes.
  • Supports the practice on the wards by promoting continual learning and reflective practice.
  • Be responsible for own personal development and specialised clinical knowledge

Communication

  • Demonstrates effective and enhanced communication and interpersonal skills when dealing with patients,
  • Arranges and carries out visits for families / patients / referrers considering using the hospice
  • Develops and maintains effective systems of communication between members of the MDTnursing team, spanning both day and night dutyon the wards.
  • Ensures effective communication and liaison with members of the multi-disciplinary team, support departments within the hospice, community and hospital teams and other primary care services
  • Demonstrates a high level of clinical knowledge and ablility to maintain accurate records ensuring all relevant information and outcomes are clear.Assists with investigation of complaints, compliments, incidents, obtaining and sharing patient and carer feedback.

Responsibilities of postholder

  • Promotes a caring and sensitive approach to patients, visitors and colleagues.
  • Practices within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and adheres to all NMC guidelines / equivalent AHP code of conduct / guidelines.
  • Develops own role within the scope of professional practice.
  • Assumes responsibility for own professional development and updates and maintains own clinical skills as required for the role.
  • Demonstrates specialist palliative care expertise and acts as a professional role model, professionally and behaviourally.

6. General
In addition to the specific duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description, all Marie Curie Cancer Care employees should be aware of their specific responsibilities towards the following:

  • Marie Curie Cancer Care operates a no-smoking policy. The post holder should either be a non-smoker or be prepared not to smoke in any Charity premises, grounds or vehicles or when on Marie Curie Cancer Care business outside the office.
  • Adhere to all health and safety and fire regulationsand to co-operate with the Charity in maintaining good standards of health and safety.
  • Uphold ethical and professional standards and not behave in a manner that is likely to bring the Charity into disrepute.
  • Promote and sustaina responsible attitude towards equal opportunities and diversity within the Charity.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing registration requirements or any national professional or occupational standards associated with the role.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and to participate in any training relevant to the role.
  • For designated roles, the post holder will be responsible for health & safety, business continuity planning and/or risk management. (These responsibilities will be notified on appointment).

This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the charity at any time after discussion with the post holder.

/ Marie Curie Cancer Care
Person description

Job titleAdmissions and Discharge Co-ordinator

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How assessed
1. Skills/ Abilities / Experience of formal and informal teaching
Evidence of research-based practice
Ability to contribute as part of a team to a dynamic environment
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal (telephone and face to face).
Ability to offer mutual support and demonstrate a ‘can-do attitude’
Ability to manage time, self and own workload and prioritise affectively / Lead educational initiatives e.g. teaching programmes etc.
Lead developments in practice
Advanced communication skills / App Form / Interview
Interview
App Form / Interview
Interview / References
App Form / Interview /References
App Form / Interview
2. Knowledge / Understanding of admissions and discharge processes/ bed management
Up to date knowledge of current palliative care issues
Understands the importance of developing and following policies and protocols.
Understanding and support of the benefits of clinical supervision and reflective practice / Awareness of key national and local policies and their impact on practice / Interview
Application Form / Interview
Interview
Interview
3. Qualifications/
Education / Training / First level Registered Nurse
Health Related diploma or working towards
Mentorship / Teaching qualification (ENB 998 or equivalent) / Relevant first degree or working towards
Specialist palliative care qualification / Certificates
Certificates
Certificates
4. Experience / Experience at Agenda for Change Band 5 or above (hospice/hospital/community)
Understanding of steps involved in audit and research
Understanding of steps involved in introducing change
Understands benefits of working with a patient-centredphilosophy of multi-disciplinary team working. / Experience in caring for non-cancer patients requiring specialist palliative care
Experience of standard setting and audit
Experience in developing practice
Experience in working with and influencing an MDT / Application Form
Application Form / Interview
Application Form / Interview
Application Form / Interview
5. Other / Computer literate
Ability to remain calm under pressure
Motivated and enthusiastic
Genuine commitment to providing high quality care. / Application Form
/ Marie Curie Cancer Care
Terms and conditions

Job titleAdmissions and Discharge Co-ordinator

Job referenceSE2471

Salary scaleAgenda for Change

SalaryBand 6plus High cost area payment

Annual leave entitlement27 days per year, plus bank holidays (pro-rata)

Notice periodOne month

Working hours37.5

Probationary periodSix months

Other benefits

  • Stakeholders Pension Scheme / continuation of NHS pension scheme
  • Season Ticket Loan
  • Bike Loan

Closing Date:23rd April 2015 at 5pm

Interviews w/c 4th May

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