Discharge Coordinator

Cambridge University Hospitals; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS foundation trust in Cambridge is seeking a Discharge Planning Coordinator to enhance patient discharge processes. The role focuses on communication and teamwork while managing complex patient needs. Applicants should have strong organizational skills and experience in a fast-paced environment. The position offers flexible working hours with a salary range of £27,485 - £30,162 dependent on experience. This is a permanent contract based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, with applications welcome regardless of background.

Benefits

On-site leisure facilities

Flexible working arrangements

Reduced cost travel

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Ability to handle difficult conversations.

Responsibilities

• Support patient flow throughout the Trust.
• Coordinate discharge with MDT and service partners.
• Complete appropriate onward referrals.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

GCSE or equivalent grades A-C in Maths and English

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Main area Corporate - Discharge Planning Grade Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (shifts across 7 days per week. Full Time or Part Time / Flexible working hours may be considered.) Job ref 180-F-CVA426

Employer Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Addenbrookes Hospital-Division Corporate Town Cambridge Salary £27,485 - £30,162 p.a. pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 22/02/2026 23:59 Interview date 03/03/2026

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the complex Discharge Planning Team providing a link between acute and Community Services across Health and Social Care.

With recent changes following the release of the National Hospital Discharge policy in 2020 alongside the journey to becoming integrated health and social care systems, there are many exciting opportunities to come!

We are looking for someone who has great communication skills and the confidence to both challenge practices and negotiate outcomes for our patients to facilitate timely and safe discharges.

You will be proactive and a good problem solver with the patient at the heart of what you do.

If you are organised, able to prioritise your workload with the ability to work in a busy team while learning a new role, this may be the opportunity for you.

Main duties of the job

This role is paramount in supporting patient flow throughout the Trust and provides the opportunity to work with the MDT and our service partners in best practice, while providing expert advice on the management of patients with complex discharge planning needs.

You will be a key resource to the MDT supporting patients and their families with decisions around discharge, completing appropriate onward referrals to ensure their care needs will be met safely, and supporting ward staff with the preparations of discharge.

This role is also linked with other national initiatives, such as reducing length of stay; red2green, Criteria to Reside and #homefirst.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:

• applied for a Graduate visa
• or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment

or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

As per Home Office guidelines, please be aware that, unfortunately, the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular position.

The advert will close at midnight on the 22 February 2026.

Interviews are due to be held on the 3 March 2026.

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent grades A-C in Maths and English (or equivalent)
• Computer skills (e.g. ability to use Excel, Word, email, etc.)
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Customer care course (or equivalent experience)

Experience

• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment
• Experience of using own initiative to resolve problems within boundaries of role
• Experience of prioritising, planning and organising own workload and meeting deadlines
• Experience of dealing with difficult situations and conversations
• Experience of data entry and documentation in line with Data Protection / Confidentiality

Knowledge

• Awareness of NHS targets and Trust priorities
• Confidentiality and data protection processes and procedures
• Knowledge of Trust information systems
• Knowledge of Medical Terminology

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate with a variety of people both within and external to the organisation
• Excellent organisational skills with an ability to manage a number of tasks at the same time
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, ensuring attention to detail is maintained
• Able to prioritise workload effectively and accommodate the needs of the service escalating when appropriate
• Ability to use initiative and work autonomously
• Proven record in ability to be proactive, work as part of a multidisciplinary team and establish good rapport with individuals at all levels
• Competent with standard IT software programmes, e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

More information