Discharge Officer

Job description

Job summary

Discharge Officer - Integrated Discharge HubDepartment Integrated Discharge HubBand 4 :£28,392 - £31,157 per annum, pro rata if part time

2 posts available on a fixed term contract or secondmentHours: 37.5 per week fixed term until 8 September 2027 or 30 hours per week fixed term until 3 August 2027.All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

The Integrated Discharge Hub (IDH) has an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic Discharge Officer to join its dynamic team on a fixed-term basis or secondment. The IDH supports safe, timely patient discharges, helping maintain effective patient flow and hospital capacity. Based on a designated ward, you will work closely with the Discharge Practitioner, ward teams, patients, families, the Operations Centre, and external partners to coordinate discharge plans, manage delays, and ensure clear, patient-centred communication. This fast-paced role requires excellent organisational skills, confidence working with multiple stakeholders, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. You will take an operational approach to discharge management, with flexibility to support other wards when needed. The role includes rota-based shifts across 7 days, between 08:00 and 20:00 (7.5 hour shifts)

For further details or an informal visit contactJane Bignall, IDH Lead01908 995171 or via e-mail [email protected].

Interview date 18 September 2026

Please note that we are unable to sponsor this role

Main duties of the job

They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%''NHS Survey, 2024''

'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'

To provide integral support to the operational duties of the Integrated Discharge Hub that will operate seven days a week, 8am - 8pm. This involves working with multiple services/providers, patients, relatives and wards to plan safe, effective and efficient patient centred discharges from hospital. The Discharge Officer role is to be ward-based to provide support and guidance to the MDT on the ward by collating key information and sharing this with the appropriate professionals/services to support a safe discharge.

About us

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.

Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.

Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -

For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication and Key Relationships

To ensure communication is clear and carried out in a way that consistently displays professionalism and MKUH values at all times to ensure effective working relationships with colleagues, clients/patients and other professionals/agencies.The post holder will communicate in person, via telephone calls, emails and MS Teams and ensure information is provided and received in line with GDPR and Information Governance. This will require high levels of interpersonal skills and a level of tact and empathy. This will also require advising and signposting to appropriate services.

Administration Duties

To collaboratively work with the patient and/or representative along with MDT professionals to gather information to contribute to the completion of the IDH referral form to enable safe and timely discharge planning.To manage complex and sensitive information on a daily basis, using empathy and reassurance skills at all times with all people. Ensure that information is recorded and shared in line with information governance

Discharge Planning

To lead on simple discharge planning working with the MDT to ensure discharge is safe and seamless.To identify and escalate barriers in relation to a simple discharge and initiate actions to resolve them in order to facilitate safe and efficient discharge

Improving Patient Journey

As part of the MDT identify barriers to a patients discharge and escalate to the appropriate professional to address. Ensure patients who have been identified as suitable for discharge outside core working hours are reviewed and clear discharge plans are documented

Please refer to the attached job description for further information

Job description
Job responsibilities

Communication and Key Relationships

To ensure communication is clear and carried out in a way that consistently displays professionalism and MKUH values at all times to ensure effective working relationships with colleagues, clients/patients and other professionals/agencies.The post holder will communicate in person, via telephone calls, emails and MS Teams and ensure information is provided and received in line with GDPR and Information Governance. This will require high levels of interpersonal skills and a level of tact and empathy. This will also require advising and signposting to appropriate services.

Administration Duties

To collaboratively work with the patient and/or representative along with MDT professionals to gather information to contribute to the completion of the IDH referral form to enable safe and timely discharge planning.To manage complex and sensitive information on a daily basis, using empathy and reassurance skills at all times with all people. Ensure that information is recorded and shared in line with information governance

Discharge Planning

To lead on simple discharge planning working with the MDT to ensure discharge is safe and seamless.To identify and escalate barriers in relation to a simple discharge and initiate actions to resolve them in order to facilitate safe and efficient discharge

Improving Patient Journey

As part of the MDT identify barriers to a patients discharge and escalate to the appropriate professional to address. Ensure patients who have been identified as suitable for discharge outside core working hours are reviewed and clear discharge plans are documented

Please refer to the attached job description for further information

Person Specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• Educated at diploma levels (Level 4) or equivalent.
• Relevant IT skills to include, E-mail, Excel, Window Word (equivalent to RSA 3, European Driving Licence)
• Evidence of understanding and insight into current issues in the Trust
• Sound understanding of data protection

Desirable

• Comprehensive knowledge of issues relating to discharge planning
• Awareness of legislation relevant to post
• Some knowledge of infection control
• Knowledge of health and safety issues

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a busy hospital setting
• Sound knowledge base in order to challenge decision making
• Multi-disciplinary working and ability to participate in inter-disciplinary decision making

Skills

Essential

• Excellent Organisational and time management skills
• Ability to analyse complex problems and situations and deliver pragmatic solutions
• Customer Care skills
• Able to prioritise
• Influencing skills
• Problem-solving/decision making skills

Desirable

• Phlebotomy

Personal and people development

Essential

• Articulate & Flexible
• Enthusiastic/highly motivated
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to work on own initiative
• Team Player
• Self motivated
• Energetic/good physical stamina
• Ability to manage change

Communication

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge

Essential

• Educated at diploma levels (Level 4) or equivalent.
• Relevant IT skills to include, E-mail, Excel, Window Word (equivalent to RSA 3, European Driving Licence)
• Evidence of understanding and insight into current issues in the Trust
• Sound understanding of data protection

Desirable

• Comprehensive knowledge of issues relating to discharge planning
• Awareness of legislation relevant to post
• Some knowledge of infection control
• Knowledge of health and safety issues

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a busy hospital setting
• Sound knowledge base in order to challenge decision making
• Multi-disciplinary working and ability to participate in inter-disciplinary decision making

Skills

Essential

• Excellent Organisational and time management skills
• Ability to analyse complex problems and situations and deliver pragmatic solutions
• Customer Care skills
• Able to prioritise
• Influencing skills
• Problem-solving/decision making skills

Desirable

• Phlebotomy

Personal and people development

Essential

• Articulate & Flexible
• Enthusiastic/highly motivated
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to work on own initiative
• Team Player
• Self motivated
• Energetic/good physical stamina
• Ability to manage change

Communication

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address

Milton Keynes University Hospital

Discharge Co-ordinators (Dept)

Standin Way, Eaglestone

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

United Kingdom

Employer's website