Job description
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The Patient Flow Support Worker will support the effective coordination of patient flow across the organisation, working with ward teams, clinicians, discharge teams, community services and external partners to facilitate timely admission, transfer, repatriation and discharge. Key responsibilities include: Assisting and supporting patient flow across the hospital, including safe and timely transfers, discharges and repatriations. Using OPTICA, WardBoard and other patient flow systems to monitor patient pathways and maintain accurate, real-time patient information. Undertaking twice-daily reconciliation of WardBoard and OPTICA, ensuring discharge plans, delay reasons and estimated dates of discharge are accurate and consistent. Monitoring and coordinating patient repatriations to local hospitals, specialist units and other acute providers. Identifying, investigating and escalating internal and external barriers to discharge. Supporting patients with complex discharge requirements, including care packages, rehabilitation placements, continuing healthcare assessments, housing support and specialist transport. Acting as a point of contact for discharge planning and patient flow escalation. Attending and supporting patient flow, long length of stay, escalation and discharge meetings, accurately recording and progressing agreed actions. Supporting the coordination of discharge transport and responding to transport-related queries. Supporting complex transport arrangements, including repatriations, bariatric transfers and discharge transport. Providing advice and guidance to staff regarding OPTICA, patient flow processes, discharge pathways and transport booking systems. Supporting staff training on OPTICA, patient flow, discharge management and transport processes. Promoting high standards of data quality through education, coaching and auditing of patient flow information. Identifying opportunities for service improvement aimed at reducing delays and improving operational efficiency. Maintaining accurate patient information in line with Trust policies and information governance requirements. Escalating capacity pressures, discharge barriers, transport issues and patient safety concerns appropriately. Overall, the post will support the Patient Flow team in maintaining safe and effective patient flow, reducing avoidable delays and ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.