Patient Flow Co-Ordinator inLondon inLondon PUBLISHED FRI 31 JAN 2025

GOOD SALARY
DEMENTIA FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH NHS

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust rc223v5z

Opportunity to make a meaningful impact by facilitating timely discharges, improving patient outcomes and community reintegration.

Engagement with a diverse range of healthcare professionals, enhancing collaborative working relationships across the NHS framework.

Development of strong communication skills, crucial for effective interaction with patients, families, and various stakeholders.

A rewarding role that emphasizes compassion, respect, and support within a nurturing environment, aligning with the core values of the NHS.

Enhancement of organisational and problem-solving skills by identifying and addressing barriers to patient flow.

Involvement in strategic meetings and ward rounds, allowing for active participation in patient care management and decision-making processes.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and development programs offered by the trust.

The Patient Flow Coordinator role at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust involves ensuring efficient patient flow across older adult acute mental health wards in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea. The position focuses on facilitating timely patient discharges by collaborating with clinicians, patients, families, and community services, taking a proactive approach to overcome barriers to discharge. The Coordinator will be responsible for high-quality administrative support, effective communication between wards and community teams, and participating in multidisciplinary meetings to coordinate discharge planning.

Candidates should possess relevant qualifications, knowledge of mental health policies, and strong interpersonal skills to navigate complex situations. The role requires the ability to work independently and as part of a team while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to NHS Trust policies. The Coordinator plays a critical role in creating a compassionate environment aimed at preparing patients for a smooth transition back to community living.

Job Overview

The post holder will play a prominent role across the Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea older adult acute mental health wards in ensuring efficient patient flow and prevent unnecessary delays in patient discharge pathways. This will be achieved through developing excellent relationships across the hospital acute wards, and working with patients, families and key stakeholders to ensure that transfer back to community life is seamless. The post holder will sit across three wards (Redwood, Kershaw and 3 Beatrice Place) and link with various system partners to achieve a safe and timely discharge.

We work together to provide a nurturing environment where compassion, respect, trust, support and personal accountability are at the centre of all our actions and interactions. By working in partnership with our patients, their families and health and social care services, we aim to prepare our patients for discharge by enabling and supporting them to return to their life in the community in the least restrictive setting.

Main duties of the job

To provide high quality discharge planning and co-ordination including administrative and practical support to Clinicians as required
To work collaboratively to support identifying barriers and prioritisation of discharge activities (ward and community) to support positive patient outcomes.
To ensure high quality communication occurs between the acute hospitals and key stakeholder (patients, their families, support services and community teams both statutory and voluntary).
To lead proactively at the weekly bed management meeting and by contributing to weekly ward rounds, identifying and addressing the needs of patients and tracking patient flow to discharge.
To act as a specialist resource to support multiborough sign posting activity prior to and on discharge.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

Working for our organisation

To observe the provisions of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
To actively participate in the annual appraisal / performance review to identify personal development needs for staff.
To attend Trust Statutory and Mandatory training sessions as required and any other training courses relevant to the post.
To keep up to date with the requirements of information governance; undertake mandatory training and follow Trust policies and procedures to ensure that trust information is dealt with legally, securely, efficiently and effectively.
To maintain the confidentiality of information about service user staff and organisational business in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2GDPR) and Caldicott principles.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

To provide high quality admission and discharge planning and co-ordination including administrative and practical support to clinicians as required.
To support the ward to attain elements of NHS England’s inpatient standards for acute mental health care for adults and older adults, particularly relating to discharge, incorporating estimate date of discharge at admission, use of the discharge tool, and early supported discharges.
To support with direct patient contact and community tasks when necessary to ensure that the home environment is ready on or prior to discharge. To work with the clinical team to review patients on admission and risk score complexities to discharge to ensure thorough discharge planning
To act as the crucial communication link between the wards, CMHTs and social care in relation to patient discharges.
To review and escalate complex cases where discharging barriers are identified and require additional senior support to enable smooth discharge
To demonstrate the ability to work independently with supervision and seek appropriate support as necessary.
To ensure that tasks/ actions from the Multidisciplinary meetings and board rounds are followed up and that by discharge all referral activity is captured within the Integrated Discharge Summary

and in profession specific referral activity.

To support discussion on concerns raised about discharge and monitor progress with safeguarding concerns to support timely discharge.
To co-ordinate escalation of any barriers to patient flow.
To support coordinate more complex discharge plans including complex meetings and facilitated discharge processes involving the Senior Leadership Team as necessary.
Ensure compliance with Trust and divisional policies and procedure
To consistently work to agreed CNWL, ICB and National Policies, Protocols and Procedures including those related to patient discharge (e.g. ensuring the principles of Discharge to Assess are embedded into practice).

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential criteria

Educated to diploma level or NVQ 3, City and Guilds certificate level in business
Evidence formal further training or short courses related to mental health, older adults and dementia

Desirable criteria

Degree, NVQ level 5 or equivalent

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

Ability to deal with a range of issues independently and efficiently
Knowledge of current National Policies and legislation relating to older adult mental health, acute mental health care, dementia and social care (i.e section 117 after care, the national inpatient standards, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act)
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of multidisciplinary staff
Ability to work both autonomously and in a team
Ability to deal with challenging situations and complex interpersonal dynamics
Demonstrable experience of data collection, presentation, report writing and handling of data quality issues
Ability to work with confidential data and information and deal with sensitive issues discreetly
Possess a ‘can do’ attitude, with a

More information related to this job opportunity, from jobsincare:

Here are 5 questions you could be asked if you apply for this job: Start practice interview... NEW!

1. Can you describe your previous experience in discharge planning and co-ordination in a healthcare setting?

2. How have you previously supported clinicians in administrative tasks related to patient flow? Can you provide specific examples?

3. What strategies have you employed to identify and overcome barriers to patient discharge in your past roles?

4. How do you ensure effective communication between multidisciplinary teams, patients, and their families during the discharge process?

5. Can you give an example of a particularly challenging case you managed regarding patient discharge? What steps did you take to resolve any issues?

See all questions

1. Can you describe your previous experience in discharge planning and co-ordination in a healthcare setting?

2. How have you previously supported clinicians in administrative tasks related to patient flow? Can you provide specific examples?

3. What strategies have you employed to identify and overcome barriers to patient discharge in your past roles?

4. How do you ensure effective communication between multidisciplinary teams, patients, and their families during the discharge process?

5. Can you give an example of a particularly challenging case you managed regarding patient discharge? What steps did you take to resolve any issues?

Start a practice interview... NEW!

More about the NHS

The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...

More about MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health has emerged as a critical issue in the United Kingdom, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis highlighted the fragility of mental well-being across different demographics, from children and adolescents to adults and the elderly. It has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of mental health care, accessibility, and the stigmas often associated with mental illnesses. Learn more...

Useful skills for a Patient Flow Co-Ordinator: Click to view

To work as a Patient Flow Coordinator in the UK, you'll need a combination of soft skills, technical knowledge, and healthcare-specific competencies. Here are some key skills and qualifications that are typically required:

Essential Skills:

1. Organizational Skills: Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively, as you will be coordinating various aspects of patient care.

2. Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for liaising with patients, healthcare professionals, and administrative staff.

3. Interpersonal Skills: Ability to interact compassionately and effectively with patients and their families, as well as collaborate with a diverse healthcare team.

4. Problem-Solving Abilities: Capability to think critically and develop solutions to potential issues in patient flow or care delivery.

5. Attention to Detail: Ensuring that all patient information is accurately processed and that protocols are followed meticulously.

6. Data Management: Skills in handling data, including patient records and hospital systems, with a focus on accuracy and confidentiality.

7. Knowledge of Healthcare Systems: Understanding of the workings of the NHS and healthcare protocols, including legislation related to patient care and data protection (such as GDPR).

8. IT Proficiency: Familiarity with healthcare software systems (like patient management systems) and basic office applications (like Microsoft Office).

Qualifications:

1. Educational Background: A background in healthcare, nursing, social care, or a related field is often preferred. This could include a degree or relevant qualifications.

2. Experience in Healthcare Settings: Previous experience in a healthcare setting, such as administrative roles or patient-facing positions, can be beneficial.

3. Knowledge of Patient Flow Concepts: Understanding the principles of patient flow management, including discharge planning, admission processes, and the principles of healthcare accessibility.

4. Understanding of Compliance and Policy: Familiarity with relevant regulations and policies governing patient care in the UK (e.g., NHS guidelines).

Additional Qualities:

1. Empathy and Compassion: A patient-centered approach is crucial, as you'll be interacting with individuals who are often experiencing stress or discomfort.

2. Flexibility and Adaptability: The healthcare environment can be unpredictable, and being open to change and willing to adapt is important.

3. Teamwork: Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, as patient flow coordination requires collaboration across various departments.

Training and Development:

- Continued Professional Development: Since healthcare practices and technologies evolve, staying up-to-date through training and professional development is key to success in this role.

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