Discharge Nurse Specialist
Job Description
Job summary
The Paediatric Discharge Specialist Nurse will lead, coordinate and facilitate safe, effective and timely discharge pathways for children and young people receiving care within Children's Services. The post holder will act as the clinical expert for discharge planning, supporting simple, complex and criteria-led discharges while ensuring high-quality care, effective patient flow and optimal use of hospital capacity.
The role will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, community services, health and social care partners, families and commissioners to reduce unnecessary delays, improve patient experience and ensure children receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
The post holder will provide specialist advice, education and leadership in discharge planning and support clinical care delivery where service demands require.
Main duties of the job
- Lead and coordinate timely, safe and effective discharge planning.
- Act as the specialist lead for children with complex and long-term healthcare needs, working across acute, community and tertiary services to deliver seamless transitions of care.
- Develop, implement and support criteria-led discharge pathways to improve patient flow, reduce unnecessary delays and enhance patient experience.
- Help coordinate transition planning for young people moving from paediatric to adult healthcare services, ensuring continuity of care and effective communication between services.
- Contribute to service development, quality improvement, audit and pathway redesign initiatives that support improved discharge outcomes, capacity management and patient flow.
- Provide specialist clinical support and advice regarding discharge planning, complex care needs and family-centred care.
- Act as a key operational resource for Children's Services, supporting capacity management, escalation processes and the management of discharge delays.
- Demonstrate visible clinical leadership, champion proactive discharge planning from admission onwards and support teams in delivering high-quality, efficient care.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
- high-quality care for all,
- being a great place to work,
- partnerships for impact, and
- research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
- we are compassionate,
- we are proud,
- we are inclusive, and
- we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk
Job responsibilities
Main Responsibilities
Discharge Planning and Coordination
Lead the planning, coordination and implementation of discharge arrangements for children and young people from admission through to discharge.
Ensure proactive discharge planning is commenced at the earliest opportunity and is embedded within daily clinical practice.
Coordinate safe and timely simple discharges by ensuring all discharge requirements are completed, including documentation, medication provision, follow-up arrangements and communication with families and primary care providers.
Act as the lead coordinator for complex discharges involving multiple agencies, specialist services and community providers.
Facilitate multidisciplinary discharge planning meetings and case conferences to ensure timely progression of discharge plans.
Identify and escalate barriers to discharge and work collaboratively with operational and clinical teams to minimise delays and optimise patient flow.
Monitor patients with extended lengths of stay and implement actions to facilitate safe discharge in a timely manner.
Support achievement of Trust targets relating to length of stay, discharge efficiency and patient flow.
Criteria-Led Discharge
Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of criteria-led discharge pathways across paediatric services.
Work collaboratively with medical teams to establish agreed discharge criteria for appropriate patient groups.
Support nursing staff to undertake criteria-led discharge processes safely and effectively.
Provide specialist advice and clinical oversight regarding discharge criteria and patient suitability.
Monitor compliance with criteria-led discharge pathways and identify opportunities for quality improvement and service development.
Undertake audits and contribute to reporting on pathway effectiveness and patient outcomes.
Children with Medical Complexities
Act as the specialist discharge lead for children with medical complexity, long-term conditions and ongoing healthcare requirements.
Coordinate complex discharge pathways involving continuing care, specialist equipment, home care packages, community nursing support, respite services and safeguarding considerations.
Work in partnership with tertiary centres, specialist teams and external agencies to ensure coordinated care plans are developed and implemented.
Support the development of personalised discharge plans that promote safe care closer to home wherever possible.
Ensure all required services, equipment and support packages are in place prior to discharge.
Provide expert advice to clinical teams regarding discharge planning for children with complex healthcare needs.
Parent, Carer and Family Training
Assess the educational and support needs of parents and carers in preparation for discharge.
Develop and deliver structured training programmes to ensure families are competent and confident in managing their child's care at home.
Provide training and assessment relating to:
- Medication administration
- Enteral feeding
- Tracheostomy care
- Oxygen therapy
- Suctioning procedures
- Seizure management
- Medical equipment use
- Central venous access device care
- Other specialist care requirements
Maintain records of competency assessments and ensure appropriate documentation is completed.
Provide ongoing support and reassurance to families, recognising the emotional and psychological impact of caring for a child with complex healthcare needs.
Promote family-centred care and involve children, young people and families in decision-making throughout the discharge process.
Staff Training and Education
Act as a specialist resource for discharge planning across Children's Services.
Develop and deliver education and training programmes relating to discharge planning, criteria-led discharge, patient flow and management of complex discharges.
Support the development of nursing competencies and discharge-related learning resources.
Provide mentorship and coaching to nursing and multidisciplinary colleagues.
Promote best practice and evidence-based approaches to discharge management.
Contribute to induction, professional development programmes and service-wide educational initiatives.
Support staff to understand community pathways, continuing care processes and available support services.
Transition to Adult Services
Lead and support the planning of effective transition pathways for young people moving from paediatric to adult healthcare services.
Work collaboratively with adult service providers to ensure a coordinated and seamless transfer of care.
Facilitate transition meetings involving young people, families and relevant multidisciplinary professionals.
Support young people to develop independence and self-management skills where appropriate.
Monitor transition outcomes and contribute to service improvements aimed at enhancing patient experience.
Partnership Working
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with:
- Community Children's Nursing Teams
- Health Visitors
- General Practitioners
- Allied Health Professionals
- Education Providers
- Social Care Teams
- Continuing Healthcare Teams
- Local Authorities
- ...
