About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Discharge Team as a Patient Key Worker.
Patient Key Workers (PKWs) assists to facilitate a patients discharge pathway from admission, assisting the ward staff, discharge team and wider MDT in facilitating a safe and timely transfer out of hospital.
Patient Key Workers rotate around all wards of the hospital to gain experience of each ward and their speciality.
You will be expected to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, ward staff and other external agencies.
Right to Work in the UK: This role is not available for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to support visa applications for this post in line with UKVI regulations.
Main duties of the job
To ensure quality care and support service which enables patients to be supported throughout their care pathway whilst promoting independence and protecting choice, dignity, privacy, and safety.
To work in support of qualified staff and allied health care professionals in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of the discharge pathways in conjunction with the complex discharge team.
To assist the wider MDT in facilitating a safe and timely transfer out of the hospital environment for all ward patients.
To ensure early conversations are initiated with the patient, /carer to ensure the following:
Patient and/or carer is aware of the expected date of discharge and is kept informed when this changes.
Identifying and escalating any barriers to the patient returning home/ care home on the expected date of discharge.
To communicate effectively at all times within the team, other health care professionals and with the patient family, carers/visitors.
To support with the patients and families expectations about discharge destinations within the capability of partner agencies.
Seek advice from complex discharge team at earliest opportunity if a complex need is identified.
Ability to prioritise workload daily and adapt as needed.
Any other requirements deemed appropriate by complex discharge team as commensurate to grade.
About us
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate's individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.
All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Patient Key Worker role will primarily focus on providing a smooth discharge plan for each patient. The primary function of this role is to ensure patients and relatives are aware of the plan both in terms of interventions and expectations on discharge. Also, to highlight to all concerned, any problems that may become apparent that could affect a delay in discharge.
The post holder will facilitate the discharge pathway from admission, liaise with the wider multi- disciplinary team to ensure timely interventions are addressed along said pathway, and provide daily update to the ward sister and complex discharge team.
The post holder will also act as a conduit between the ward-based team and the discharge teams and in doing so will provide an extension of the discharge team based within the ward environment. The post holder will also be expected to liaise and work alongside the ward teams and Complex Discharge team, to assist and support the patients journey through the organisation ensuring good communication with patients and families.
Person Specification
Education & qualifications Essential
Educated to GCSE level or equivalent including English at grade C or above
Desirable
NVQ Level 2/3 in a relevant subject
Knowledge and experience Essential
Understanding of the role of a PKW Understanding or experience of ward based care
Skills Essential
Evidence of good communication skills Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality Evidence of ability to maintain accurate and legible documentation The ability to work autonomously using initiative and escalating appropriately The ability to take direction from both the ward and discharge team to work proactively in facilitating a safe transition plan for individual patients
Desirable
Ability to work as part of a team Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors
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 Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Dorset County Hospital
Williams Avenue
Dorchester
DT1 2JY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)