Discharge Nurse Associate

at  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

The purpose of the job is to work as a member of the team and work with the wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) to facilitate patient discharges in a timely manner. This involves assisting in the process of assessing and making appropriate and timely discharge plans for patients ensuring that all relevant information and assessments are up to date.
This is a clinical based position that plays a vital role within the planning for safe effective patient focused discharges. You will work across multiple areas to offer shared support with the discharge process and regularly link in with the discharge team, support on board/ward rounds and offer support with clinical tasks as needed.
Effectively communicate information to patients, relatives, carers and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
Encourage the patient’s family and friends to be actively involved in the discharge process. · To liaise with other providers in ensuring that discharge plans for patients are proactively managed and supported throughout the ongoing discharge planning process.
To be a point of contact on the ward providing advice and support around patient discharges, liaising with clinical teams as required.
To record up to date patient information onto relevant systems. · Work with the nursing team to ensure discharges are prioritised on a day-to-day basis and escalate any delays or concerns to the nurse in charge, ward manager or matron. · Make patient transport bookings as required for patients being discharged to minimise delays.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and daily huddles and actively contribute to the planning of patient discharges.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

o Providing and monitoring health

• To utilise a wide range of communication methods, including verbal, non-verbal and written to enable the post holder to interact with a variety of individuals including patients, carers and members of the multi-professional team to provide compassionate, safe and effective care and support to people in a range of care settings.
• Adapt communication methods, to include the use of technology, to meet the needs of individuals who have sensory impairment or communication difficulties.
• Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the ongoing assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care.
• Develop competencies and practices clinical skills required to deliver care relevant to patient groups and within the Scope of Practice of the Nursing Associate such as catheterisation, venepuncture and ECGs.
• Maintain clear and accurate patient records utilising both digital and paper based records for future reference and complies with the Data Protection Act 2018
• Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times.
• Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other registered care professionals as appropriate.
• To ensure that high standards of nursing care are given and maintained. To act and raise concerns when standards are not being maintained following local policy and procedures.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of care delivered and liaises with the Registered Nurse to agree changes to the plan of care as required.
• Demonstrate proficiency and hold a competency to administer medications within local policy and procedure and in line with the NMC Standards of Proficiency.
• Recognise and effectively respond to emergency situations seeking support from the Registered Nurse in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Ensure own practice comply with General Data protection Regulations (GDPR/Code of Confidentiality and Caldicott principles

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES :

• To be the first point of call for staff with issues regarding patient discharges. Participate in board rounds on inpatient wards as per discharge team.
• To work both autonomously and with the wider MDT to manage objectives set following daily board round and Discharge team huddle.
• Communication with others.
• Identify potential complex patients at board round and support ward staff with appropriate referrals early.
• Following daily board round update each ward patients EDD and reason to reside status on CWP.
• To ensure effective communication with the patient and their family regarding discharge planning as soon as patient is identified as having care needs on discharge.
• Effectively communicate and discuss sensitive issues such as personal and emotional care needs with individuals, families and carers and discuss in a sensitive and understanding manner how these may be met, always ensuring confidentiality in accordance with Trust policy and professional governance.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, daily huddles and actively contribute to the planning of patient discharges.
• Liaise with the wider teams including discharge team and supportive care team to ensure for example the principles of end-of-life care (SKINN bundles, hygiene needs, repositioning & mobilising, and oral hygiene) are being adhered to.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure collaborative and holistic working for the benefit of patient care.
• Share up to date discharge information with relevant staff, as well as patients and their families.
• Encourage patients with their plan of care overcoming barriers with patients whose understanding is impaired, always treating patients with dignity and respect. Support the Nursing staff with clinical tasks within your scope of practice to ensure the upkeep of your mandatory training, clinical skills and personal and professional development.
• Actively contribute to the ongoing developments of discharge processes within the organisation.
• Have an awareness of safeguarding boundaries and to escalate and action any concerns appropriately.
• Work collaboratively within scope of own practice.
• Ensure hygiene need checklists are completed electronically daily and perform regular audits to ensure and uphold outstanding care provision and documentation.
• Demonstrate and uphold Trust’s values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour
• To have a willingness to undertake additional skills and training, dependant on department requirements.
• To engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers given.
• Recognise and work within the limits of your competence.

Promoting health and preventing ill heath

• Support people to improve and maintain their, physical, mental, behavioural health and wellbeing, promoting health and preventing ill health.
• Maintain an understanding of caring for individuals with additional needs due to conditions such as dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities

o Providing and monitoring health

• To utilise a wide range of communication methods, including verbal, non-verbal and written to enable the post holder to interact with a variety of individuals including patients, carers and members of the multi-professional team to provide compassionate, safe and effective care and support to people in a range of care settings.
• Adapt communication methods, to include the use of technology, to meet the needs of individuals who have sensory impairment or communication difficulties.
• Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the ongoing assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care.
• Develop competencies and practices clinical skills required to deliver care relevant to patient groups and within the Scope of Practice of the Nursing Associate such as catheterisation, venepuncture and ECGs.
• Maintain clear and accurate patient records utilising both digital and paper based records for future reference and complies with the Data Protection Act 2018
• Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times.
• Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other registered care professionals as appropriate.
• To ensure that high standards of nursing care are given and maintained. To act and raise concerns when standards are not being maintained following local policy and procedures.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of care delivered and liaises with the Registered Nurse to agree changes to the plan of care as required.
• Demonstrate proficiency and hold a competency to administer medications within local policy and procedure and in line with the NMC Standards of Proficiency.
• Recognise and effectively respond to emergency situations seeking support from the Registered Nurse in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Ensure own practice comply with General Data protection Regulations (GDPR/Code of Confidentiality and Caldicott principles.

o Working in teams

• Work as a member of the multi-professional team providing clinical care to patients in inpatient settings as supported by the Registered Nurse or Registered Care Professional.
• Work in collaboration with others to ensure the safe and timely discharge of patients with the aim of avoiding readmission.
• Carry out specific delegated clinical and care tasks and responsibilities to a high standard and competency, under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse or other Registered Care Professionals.
• Where appropriate, work without direct supervision, at times delivering care independently in line with the individual’s defined plan of care, within designated parameters of practice of the Nursing Associate role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed.
• Support newly qualified staff, students, new starters, Trainee Nursing Associates and encourage an effective learning environment.
• Provide support and supervision to Healthcare Assistants to promote their learning and development within their role.
• The post holder will be expected to undertake a full variety of shifts to meet the service need.
• Communicate effectively across a wide range of channels and with a wide range of individuals, the public, health and social care professionals, maintaining the focus of communication on delivering and improving health and care services.
• Contribute to team success and challenge others constructively.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care.

o Improving safety and quality

• To be involved in Trust initiatives to improve patient safety and care such as the CODE Accreditation audit
• Report any accidents or incidents through the Datix process and raise any concerns including safeguarding concerns as per organisational policy.
• To be aware of our Freedom to Speak up guardian to raise concerns in a safe environment to prevent harm to patients, users and other Trust staff.
• Ensure clear, concise, accurate and legible records and all communication is maintained in relation to care delivered adhering to local and national guidance.
• Ensure all patient related information is treated sensitively and adhere to the principals of confidentiality at all times.
• Improve the quality of care by contributing to the continuous monitoring of people’s experience of care.
• Identify risks to safety or experience and take appropriate action, putting the best interests, needs and preferences of people first.
• Report/escalate any safety, safeguarding or risk concerns to the appropriate member of staff and ensuring that action is taken post reporting.
• Participate in audit and review of patients care.
• Responsibility to prevent and control infections within the Trust. Ensuring both personal and team compliance with all relevant policies, especially hand washing, the Trust uniform policy and MRSA screening policies.

o Contributing to integrated care

• To act as an advocate for the patient and the family, including promoting and protecting their interests, privacy, rights and inclusion.
• To be flexible to work within areas or departments to meet the demands of changing service needs.
• Contribute to the provision of care for people, including those with complex needs.
• Understand the roles of a range of professionals and carers from other organisations and settings who may be participating in the care of a person and their family.
• Understand responsibilities in relation to communication and collaboration across all healthcare settings.