Discharge coordinator

Employer: Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT). Salary: £28,392 – £31,157 per annum. Closing date: 31/05/2026 23:59.

CHFT is an equal opportunity employer. Applications are welcome from all sections of the community irrespective of protected characteristics.

Job Overview

The Discharge Coordinator is a key member of the Discharge Team, working across acute wards to ensure patients who are medically optimised leave hospital safely and confidently. The role requires partnership with CHFT, local commissioning groups, council services, patients and carers to facilitate timely and safe discharges to home or onward care settings.

Responsibilities

• Participate in review or case conference of individual patients and contribute to the development of their discharge planning.
• Support and attend MDT and daily Board rounds to work in line with CHFT discharge policies.
• Identify, using IT systems such as Electronic Patient Records and Systm1, patients’ health and social care history and relevant existing services.
• Obtain informed consent from patients and/or carers and share relevant information with the wider MDT.
• Review patients in conjunction with ward managers and Discharge Sisters/Therapists to identify those requiring ongoing health and social care support and to arrange appropriate services.
• Ensure all members involved in patient care complete assessments and related activities promptly, negotiating with doctors, nurses and other professionals for estimated dates of discharge.
• Meet regularly with ward managers and Discharge staff to identify, record and report clinical delays, ensuring up‑to‑date EPR entries and Transfer of Care (TOC) plans.
• Support ward clerks in arranging transport for patient discharges.
• Escalate any delays in patient pathways to the relevant managers and staff.
• Prepare and coordinate patient information for weekly MDT meetings, ensuring all relevant information is available and presented.
• Support the completion of comprehensive discharge documentation and onward referrals.
• Provide hands‑on assessment of discharge needs and provide low‑risk equipment (walking aids, commodes, etc.) where required.
• Work closely with patients’ families and friends to ensure accurate information is recorded on EPR and that they feel confident to consent to other services.
• Carry out baseline assessments of health and social care support, record these assessments and request simple services or alterations to care packages, liaising with Gateway to Care, Single Point of Contact and social services as appropriate.
• Develop an understanding of available community resources to meet the needs of patients and their families/carers.
• Support the collation of statistical information to help develop or improve services for patients and carers.
• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date documentation in computerised records to reflect the department’s involvement with each service user.
• Manage a caseload of patients independently as per the level of complexity and in line with indirect supervision from registered practitioners.
• Work in a 7‑day service, including weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5 GCSEs (including Maths and English grades 9‑4 or A*, A, B, C) or equivalent level‑2 qualification(s).
• Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship or equivalent clinical experience (to be completed in post).
• Band 4 Calderdale Framework Competencies completed or to be completed in post.
• Willingness to participate in competency‑based training on therapeutic and health and social care assessments supporting discharge planning.
• Optional A‑Levels, Health and Science T‑Level or equivalent level‑3 qualifications.
• Foundation degree in Health and Social Care (preferred).
• Care Certificate (preferred).
• Previous competency‑based training in a relevant field.
• Recent experience working in a health and social care setting, including hospital, patient homes and community settings.
• Experience of teaching, instructing or basic counselling skills.
• Experience of completing needs‑based assessment and care plans, and of working with service users with life‑limiting conditions.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, including teamwork, independent working and appropriate use of initiative.
• Basic computer skills and knowledge of health and social care legislation relevant to discharge planning.
• Familiarity with community resources and inter‑agency working.
• Ability to work in various locations across the CHFT network.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

Competencies

• Positive attitudes and behaviours that reflect the One Culture of Care.
• Problem‑solving, decision‑making and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including confidentiality and data protection.
• Ability to engage sensitively with distressed or emotional individuals.
• Awareness of cultural issues, diversity and the needs of disabled applicants.
• Working safely and independently, including lone working in patient homes (risk assessed prior to visits).
• Commitment to maintaining professional conduct, time management and attendance.

Benefits

Competitive salary within Band 4, plus the chance to develop a career in patient discharge and community care within a supportive, collaborative organisation. Flexible working arrangements are available, including part‑time, job share and flexible hours where suitable.

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