Patient Flow Facilitator

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Flow Hub at Broomfield Hospital for a motivated, proactive individual to join the team as a Patient Flow Facilitator. This role has been introduced following a recent restructure and plays a vital part in supporting patient flow and effective discharge planning across the acute hospital.

The Patient Flow Facilitator is a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly rewarding role, responsible for supporting effective patient flow and coordinating discharge planning across a designated group of wards. Working closely with Patient Flow Co-Ordinator's, ward teams, and the wider MDT, the post holder will play a vital role in ensuring patients are discharged safely and efficiently.

This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills who is passionate about improving patient flow, enhancing patient experience, and supporting the delivery of high-quality care across the hospital. The successful candidate will be a proactive team player who can work effectively in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a patient-centred approach to care and discharge planning.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide cross-ward support and act as a key point of contact within a designated zone. They will maintain oversight of complex discharges, monitor referral progress with the IDT, and identify and address barriers that may delay patient discharge. The role requires close collaboration with the MDT to facilitate safe, timely, and effective patient discharges while ensuring continuity of discharge planning.

Key responsibilities include attending MDT board rounds, gathering and updating detailed patient information, escalating outstanding diagnostics and specialty reviews, patient transport arrangements, liaising with pharmacy regarding discharge medications, and communicating effectively with patients, relatives, and carers. The post holder will also ensure that all members of the MDT have a clear and agreed discharge plan, while maintaining accurate and timely documentation to support patient progress and discharge outcomes.

This role requires excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills, along with strong IT literacy and the ability to work effectively under pressure in a busy acute hospital environment. A proactive approach, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care are essential for success in this position.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Supporting a team of Patient Flow Coordinators across multiple wards within a designated zone.
• Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate and facilitate safe, timely, and patient-centred discharges.
• Providing continuity in discharge planning and ensuring effective communication between all services involved in a patient's discharge pathway.
• Maintaining oversight of all daily discharges within the allocated zone and monitoring patient progress towards discharge.
• Identifying and addressing barriers to discharge, escalating concerns appropriately in line with Flow Hub procedures.
• Monitoring delays in bed declarations and ensuring issues impacting patient flow are highlighted and managed promptly.
• Supporting the management of complex discharge cases and ensuring appropriate actions are taken to progress discharge plans.
• Liaising with Integrated Discharge Teams, social care services, community providers, and ward staff to ensure referrals are made and progressed in a timely manner.
• Acting as a key point of contact for ward teams regarding discharge planning and patient flow processes.
• Ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of information to relevant stakeholders.
• Maintaining a proactive approach to patient flow management, helping to maximise bed capacity and support operational performance.
• Using hospital information systems effectively to monitor patient movements, discharge progress, and operational pressures.
• Following established escalation processes within the Flow Hub to ensure patient flow issues are resolved promptly and appropriately.

The successful candidate will be computer literate, highly organised, and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. They will be able to work effectively under pressure, build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, and demonstrate a proactive commitment to improving patient flow and discharge outcomes.

Please see attached job description setting out the details of the role and responsibilities.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• GCSE Grade A-C or equivalent
• Healthcare Assistant Certificate
• NVQ Level 4 or equivalent

Desirable criteria

• Degree Level Qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working in an Admin role
• Working in a role requiring multiagency/disciplinary Previous experience in Application Form Interview Page 7 of 13 engagement and joint working.
• Good knowledge of relevant IT Systems (i.e. Microsoft, EPR etc.)

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a flow/discharge management role
• Previous experience in managing or leading others
• Ability to review and implement change based on published data. Understanding of key performance indicators related to patient flow and LoS management.

Communication Skills

Essential criteria

• Strong communication skills. Good standard of negotiation and influencing skills. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in various forms of electronic media

Desirable criteria

• Ability to build positive relationships with teams to enable effective communication at times of significant operational pressure.

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria

• Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• Flexible attitude to work and work hours to meet service needs
• Commitment to own personal development.
• Respects privacy, dignity and religious and cultural beliefs.
• Tolerant, calm and respectful outlook.
• Able to recognise own limitations.
• Evidence of behaviour consistent with the Trust Values

Desirable criteria

• Has the capacity to analyse results and demonstrates a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

Physical Requirements

Essential criteria

• Be able to sit in an office environment for periods of time, either at a computer or in meetings.
• Be able to mobilise across the hospital site.

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

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