Liaison/Rapid Response Sister/Charge Nurse

Job Overview

This opportunity is for a shared post between the Integrated Discharge Team based at Luton & Dunstable Hospital and the community-based Rapid Response Team. The role requires a dynamic nurse skilled in autonomous practice, complex clinical decision‑making, multidisciplinary working and leadership to deliver patient‑centred care, with particular knowledge of discharge planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the delivery of safe, effective and timely discharges for patients returning to the community.
• Assess patients, work collaboratively with families, carers and the multidisciplinary team to identify available community services and arrange health‑funded packages of care.
• Receive, assess and manage same‑day referrals from Primary Care via the GP Liaison Service, using clinical judgement to support admission avoidance.
• Provide urgent community nursing care for crisis response, assessing, prioritising, allocating, visiting and treating patients with up‑to‑date clinical skills.
• Collaborate with hospital, ambulance service and other providers to ensure care at home that avoids inappropriate hospital admission.
• Facilitate safe and timely discharge for patients requiring End‑of‑Life care, Department of Health Fast Track or 100% Continuing Healthcare funding.
• Promote clear communication between patients, relatives, carers and professional colleagues to ensure seamless delivery of care.
• Support effective information sharing and continuity of care across organisations.
• Represent community services at multidisciplinary meetings and case conferences.
• Provide clinical supervision and participate in regular one‑to‑one sessions with delegated team members.
• Manage shift work and weekend duties as required by the role.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree level or equivalent (e.g., Community Specialist Practitioner, PgDip).
• Evidence of CPD, MSPP or equivalent, and willingness to undertake or hold Independent Nurse Prescribing qualification.
• Significant post‑registration experience in community or acute care settings.
• Good knowledge of discharge planning processes and DoH Continuing Healthcare procedures.
• Experience of working within a high ethnic population, multidisciplinary team and coordinated care delivery.
• Knowledge of Mental Capacity Act 2005 and experience of discharge planning within an Acute Trust.
• Proactive involvement in project development or health promotion group work.

Core Clinical & Professional Competencies

• Advanced clinical procedures: intravenous therapy, cannulation, syringe driver management, catheterisation, intravenous antibiotic administration and wound care.
• Diagnostic skills including ECGs, phlebotomy, blood glucose monitoring, point‑of‑care testing and interpretation of blood results.
• Clinical governance, audit and quality improvement processes.
• Managing complex discharges using a multi‑agency approach.
• Effective communication with internal and external agencies and care partners.
• IT literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office, SystmOne, and hospital IT systems.
• Leadership, team management, and the ability to work autonomously as an independent practitioner.

Disclosures & Checks

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Equal Opportunity Statement

All are welcome to apply. The role is in a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.

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