Full Job Description

Discharge Co-Ordinator - Parnell Road Step Down Facility, Carechoice

Why Choose CareChoice?

At CareChoice, we are committed to revolutionizing the healthcare experience. With a legacy of over two decades in the Nursing Homes Sector, we are embarking on a journey to become the most trusted and respected Nursing Home brand in Ireland

The Discharge Coordinator will coordinate patient admissions and discharges within the Carechoice Step-Down / Transitional Care Facility at Parnell Road, ensuring safe, timely, and efficient transitions from acute hospitals to step-down care and onward discharge to home, community services, or long-term care settings. The role supports effective patient flow through proactive discharge planning, multidisciplinary collaboration, and coordination with acute hospitals, community services, and families to ensure safe and appropriate care transitions.

Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Admission Coordination to Step-Down Facility

Act as primary liaison with acute hospitals and bed managers regarding referrals.
Review referral documentation to ensure clinical appropriateness for step-down admission.
Confirm funding stream (convalescent, transitional care, Fair Deal, private).
Clarify estimated length of stay and discharge goals prior to admission.
Coordinate safe transfer including documentation, medication reconciliation and handover.
Ensure admission aligns with facility admission criteria and available supports.
Communicate clearly with patients and families regarding expected discharge pathway from the outset.

2. Early Discharge Planning on Admission

Initiate discharge planning on day of admission.
Establish anticipated discharge destination:
Home with supports
Home with Home Support Package
Long-term care
Further rehabilitation
Identify potential discharge barriers early (housing, funding, safeguarding, family support).
Document Estimated Date of Discharge (EDD).
Develop clear, goal-oriented discharge plans in collaboration with MDT.

3. Step-Down Patient Flow Management

Monitor length of stay for all patients.
Track discharge timelines and escalate delays.
Liaise with acute hospitals regarding step-down capacity and throughput.
Participate in weekly patient flow meetings.
Support efficient bed utilisation while maintaining patient safety.
Prevent unnecessary delayed discharges through proactive planning.

4. Discharge to Home & Community Services

Demonstrate working knowledge of the Health Service Executive (HSE) community structures and referral pathways.

Coordinate safe discharge home by:

Liaising with MDT members (nursing, OT, physiotherapy, social work).
Referring to Public Health Nurse (PHN) based on catchment area.
Submitting Home Support applications where required.
Coordinating equipment provision via community OT.
Ensuring GP follow-up is arranged.
Confirming medication reconciliation and discharge prescriptions.
Ensuring contingency planning is in place.

Escalate where home supports are insufficient to ensure safe discharge.

5. Home Support & Community Referral Management

Demonstrate practical knowledge of:

Home Support Scheme processes
Interim vs long-term home care arrangements
PHN allocation by geographic catchment
Community Intervention Teams (CIT)
Day hospital and outpatient services

Ensure:

Accurate and timely referral submissions.
Clear communication with community providers.
Follow-up on pending approvals.
Resolution of referral delays.

6. Long-Term Care & Fair Deal Support

Where discharge to long-term care is required, support processes relating to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Fair Deal):

Liaise with Medical Social Work supporting the application process.
Monitor approval timelines.
Communicate with families regarding placement options.
Coordinate transfer to appropriate long-term care facility.
Ensure safe clinical handover and documentation transfer.

7. Management of Complex Discharges

Coordinate discharge planning for patients with:

Multi-morbidity and frailty
Cognitive impairment or dementia
Safeguarding concerns
Carer stress or family breakdown
Housing challenges
Palliative care needs

8. Governance & Compliance

Maintain accurate discharge documentation and audit trails.

Ensure all admission and discharge processes align with:

Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) standards
HSE discharge policies
Safeguarding policies
Infection prevention and control standards

Qualifications and Skills:

Registered Nurse with active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
Minimum of 5 years clinical experience.
Experience in discharge planning, patient flow management, or care coordination.
Strong knowledge of HSE community services and referral pathways including Home Support and PHN services.
Excellent organisational, communication, and coordination skills.

Desirable

Experience working in step-down, transitional care, or acute hospital discharge planning.
Knowledge of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Fair Deal).
Qualification in Healthcare Management or a related field.
Strong IT and data management skills.

What we offer:

Premium payments on Sundays and night shift
FLYEfit gym discount - stay active and healthy with discounted gym membership
Death in Service Benefit
Comprehensive induction training
A rewarding working environment, with support from supervisors and managers
Competitive rates of pay
Opportunities for promotion within an expanding group
Extensive in-house training (NMBI approved)
Employee Assistance Programme - supporting your mental health and wellbeing
Free parking
Subsidised lunches