About this role
Job summary
The role of the Discharge Liaison Practitioner is to support Ward Sisters in delivering a high-quality, patient-focused experience by providing flexible, reliable administrative and operational support. This includes assisting nursing teams in maintaining accurate discharge records and ensuring that discharge processes are safe, effective, and completed in a timely manner, thereby supporting the reduction of patient length of stay.
The role requires excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams. The Discharge Liaison Practitioner will support Ward Sisters in maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders, including senior staff, medical and nursing teams, allied health professionals, patients and their families, as well as social services and primary care providers.
Main duties of the job
The Discharge Coordinator will play a key role in facilitating safe, effective and timely patient discharge, with a clear focus on reducing avoidable delays and length of stay. The post holder will work proactively with the multidisciplinary team, including ward staff, discharge lounge, Site Practitioners, allied health professionals, and external partners such as Social Services, Primary Care and GPs, to ensure robust and co-ordinated discharge planning from admission through to discharge.
The post holder will ensure that patient journey boards/whiteboards are consistently accurate and up to date, proactively identifying and escalating any potential delays that may impact discharge pathways. They will take ownership of monitoring discharge progress, supporting early identification of barriers and driving actions to mitigate delays.
In supporting the effective running of the ward, the Discharge Coordinator will undertake key administrative and coordination tasks that directly contribute to safe and timely discharge. This includes completing and maintaining discharge planning documentation, liaising with external agencies, coordinating with families and carers, arranging transport, and working closely with therapy teams such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy to ensure all discharge requirements are met without delay.
About us
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.
Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.
We run major acute services at:
Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.
We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information on the key responsibilities and person requirements for this role.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications Essential
GCSE or equivalent standard of education (with a pass in GCSE English Language or equivalent Diploma/NVQ Level 3 Can demonstrate analytical skills
Desirable
Previous work experience
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Previously worked as administrative assistant / ward clerk / personal assist within a busy environment Communication at all levels; Organising own workload; Working within a team. Ability to handle complaints and deal with them sensitively and assertively
Desirable
Knowledge of NHS IPR systems (ICE, Cerner) Knowledge of Medical terminologies and workflows
Skills, abilities and attributes Essential
Excellent communication skills in oral and written format, the ability to communicate effectively and professionally at all levels. Practical IT skills, including use of Word, database input, Internet and E-mail. Practical experience of being involved in the safe discharge of patients including Discharge check lists, Social service referrals, district nurse referrals and transport requests.
Desirable
Knowledge of medical and NHS terminology and of the NHS National Targets. Proactive coordination with multidisciplinary teams
Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Address Ealing Hospital
Uxbridge Road, Southall
London
UB1 3HW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)