Complex Discharge Team Leader

Complex Discharge Team Leader

The closing date is 17 March 2026

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for the detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Team Lead to join the Acute Discharge Hub based within the Acute Discharge HUB at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS).

We are inviting Nurses, Physiotherapists, and Occupational Therapists, with a track record of leadership skills, patient centred care and a passion to improve pathways and services within acute care to join us.

The successful applicant will be responsible for a small team made up of nurses/AHPs and discharge officers. Within this unique role you will be required to work across wards and divisions, link in with multiple internal/external agencies drawing upon your clinical skills to effectively support communication for our most complex of patients.

We are a vibrant and friendly team here to assist the wider multi-professional teams whilst placing the patient at the heart of health and social care networks.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities

• Manage the teams undertaking assessment and discharge planning of patients within the defined clinical area, working under direction of the Complex Discharge Operational Lead.
• Act as a case manager using clinical knowledge and experience to support day-to-day operational functions of the teams, completing your own assessments and interventions where indicated.
• Be part of the senior leadership team offering teaching, supervision and operational direction, supporting the drive for quality and timely assessment to safely discharge patients.
• Support and respond to complex escalations, providing variety and interest across the inpatient caseload.
• Communicate confidently with family members, patients, and members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team both inside and outside UHS on a regular basis.
• Work in a busy and often pressurised environment, providing highly specialised clinical discharge planning advice within the Trust and externally to other team members.
• Demonstrate strong organisational skills and the ability to work accurately while prioritising workload to deliver agreed objectives and KPIs.
• Advocate for patients and relatives, liaise with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate complex discharge plans.
• Participate in research related to complex discharge, contribute to investigation of complaints, and lead planning meetings.
• Provide teaching and mentorship to junior staff, and maintain recognised teaching/mentorship qualification or equivalent experience.

Person Specification / Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• Degree (health related) or equivalent qualification/training and experience.
• Professional Registration in an appropriate health care discipline.
• Professional and clinical knowledge around complex discharge issues, or a willingness to develop such knowledge.
• Broad range of post registration experience within an acute hospital setting.
• Experience involving complex discharge.
• Basic knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of Social Services.
• Working knowledge of the legislation concerning complex discharge.
• Experience supervising junior staff members.
• Understanding of personal accountability.
• Ability to receive and communicate highly complex and sensitive information concerning patients' medical condition and care planning.
• Demonstrates clarity and breadth in use of verbal and written communications in relation to our patient group.
• Ability to analyse and assess situations regarding suitability for discharge when not straightforward.
• Ability to work accurately and prioritise workload to deliver agreed objectives and KPIs.
• Able to advocate for patients and relatives.
• Ability to work with a range of patient groups.
• Ability to participate in research related to role in complex discharge.
• Ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders to co-ordinate complex discharge plans.
• Flexible working arrangements across 7 days.
• Recognised teaching/mentorship qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience of using the APEX complex discharge database.
• Experience of teaching.
• Knowledge of current issues within Healthcare and Social Services.
• Knowledge of how health care, social care, voluntary, private and clinical commissioning groups work together.
• Experience of contributing to the investigation of complaints.
• Experience of leading planning meetings.

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.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a yearper annum / per annum pro rata.