Senior Complex Discharge Practitioner

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly motivated clinician to join the Complex Discharge Team at the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI). The post holder will provide specialist leadership and expertise in the coordination and management of complex discharge pathways for patients with spinal cord injuries, ensuring safe, timely and effective transitions from hospital to community settings.

Working autonomously, the successful candidate will manage a specialist caseload of patients with complex physical, psychological and social needs, developing and implementing comprehensive discharge plans and ongoing follow-up arrangements. The role involves close partnership working with multidisciplinary teams, community services, social care providers, commissioners and external agencies to ensure continuity of care and positive patient outcomes.

The post holder will also provide specialist advice, education and support to patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals, while contributing to service development, quality improvement and the delivery of excellence in spinal cord injury care.

Main duties of the job

• Manage and coordinate complex discharge planning for patients with spinal cord injuries, ensuring safe and timely discharge from hospital.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments of patients, identifying clinical, social, housing, equipment and care needs.
• Develop, implement and evaluate personalised discharge and care plans.
• Provide specialist advice and support to patients, carers, healthcare professionals and external agencies.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary meetings, case conferences and discharge planning reviews.
• Liaise with community healthcare providers, social services, commissioners and care agencies to facilitate continuity of care.
• Conduct post-discharge follow-up assessments and ongoing support within community settings.Lead clinical decision-making relating to discharge planning and risk management.
• Support education and training programmes for healthcare professionals, carers and families.
• Assist with service development, clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives and policy implementation.
• Deputise for the Complex Discharge Team Manager when required.

About us

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.

Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role.We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK).RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.

Details

Date posted

12 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year

per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Part-time,

Job share,

Flexible working

Reference number

224-8304281

Job locations

RJAH

Twmpath Lane

Oswestry

SY10 7AG

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

The post holder will act as an expert practitioner within the Complex Discharge Team, providing specialist clinical leadership in the discharge management of patients with spinal cord injuries, including those with highly complex needs.

Working across acute and community settings, the role requires autonomous management of a specialist caseload, ensuring that each patient receives a comprehensive assessment, personalised discharge plan and ongoing support throughout their transition back to the community. The post holder will work closely with consultants, multidisciplinary teams, community healthcare providers, social services, housing agencies, commissioners and voluntary organisations to coordinate complex packages of care and prevent delayed discharges.

A key component of the role is the provision of specialist advice, education and support to patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals. The post holder will facilitate informed decision-making, provide guidance on spinal cord injury management, and support patients in achieving optimal independence and quality of life following discharge.

The successful candidate will lead and chair complex discharge planning meetings, case conferences and reviews, ensuring effective communication between all stakeholders and that agreed actions are implemented within required timescales. They will undertake post-discharge reviews, monitor outcomes, identify changing needs and coordinate further interventions where necessary.

The role also includes responsibility for supporting service improvement through participation in audit, policy development, research activities and implementation of evidence-based practice. The post holder will contribute to staff development, provide professional leadership within the team and deputise for the Complex Discharge Team Manager as required.

The position demands excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills, together with the ability to manage challenging situations involving highly sensitive information, complex family dynamics and significant emotional demands associated with spinal cord injury rehabilitation and discharge planning.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will act as an expert practitioner within the Complex Discharge Team, providing specialist clinical leadership in the discharge management of patients with spinal cord injuries, including those with highly complex needs.

Working across acute and community settings, the role requires autonomous management of a specialist caseload, ensuring that each patient receives a comprehensive assessment, personalised discharge plan and ongoing support throughout their transition back to the community. The post holder will work closely with consultants, multidisciplinary teams, community healthcare providers, social services, housing agencies, commissioners and voluntary organisations to coordinate complex packages of care and prevent delayed discharges.

A key component of the role is the provision of specialist advice, education and support to patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals. The post holder will facilitate informed decision-making, provide guidance on spinal cord injury management, and support patients in achieving optimal independence and quality of life following discharge.

The successful candidate will lead and chair complex discharge planning meetings, case conferences and reviews, ensuring effective communication between all stakeholders and that agreed actions are implemented within required timescales. They will undertake post-discharge reviews, monitor outcomes, identify changing needs and coordinate further interventions where necessary.

The role also includes responsibility for supporting service improvement through participation in audit, policy development, research activities and implementation of evidence-based practice. The post holder will contribute to staff development, provide professional leadership within the team and deputise for the Complex Discharge Team Manager as required.

The position demands excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills, together with the ability to manage challenging situations involving highly sensitive information, complex family dynamics and significant emotional demands associated with spinal cord injury rehabilitation and discharge planning.

Person Specification

Registration and qualifications/attainments

Essential

• Degree or recognised qualification in Nursing/Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy/Other relevant Degree
• Active registration with relevant governing body (NMC/ HCPC)

Desirable

• Management Course/ Leadership
• Continued Professional Development
• Full Driving Licence

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience working as a Registered Nurse
• SCI or Rehabilitation Experience
• oDischarge Experience

Desirable

• Supervision of Staff

Other

Essential

• Able to work on own initiative and under pressure
• work within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Health and Social Care Funding for Community Care
• Specialist clinical skills i.e. Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel Management

Person Specification

Registration and qualifications/attainments

Essential

• Degree or recognised qualification in Nursing/Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy/Other relevant Degree
• Active registration with relevant governing body (NMC/ HCPC)

Desirable

• Management Course/ Leadership
• Continued Professional Development
• Full Driving Licence

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience working as a Registered Nurse
• SCI or Rehabilitation Experience
• oDischarge Experience

Desirable

• Supervision of Staff

Other

Essential

• Able to work on own initiative and under pressure
• work within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Health and Social Care Funding for Community Care
• Specialist clinical skills i.e. Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel Management

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

RJAH

Twmpath Lane

Oswestry

SY10 7AG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.rjah.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

RJAH

Twmpath Lane

Oswestry

SY10 7AG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.rjah.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

The post holder will act as an expert practitioner within the Complex Discharge Team, providing specialist clinical leadership in the discharge management of patients with spinal cord injuries, including those with highly complex needs.

Working across acute and community settings, the role requires autonomous management of a specialist caseload, ensuring that each patient receives a comprehensive assessment, personalised discharge plan and ongoing support throughout their transition back to the community. The post holder will work closely with consultants, multidisciplinary teams, community healthcare providers, social services, housing agencies, commissioners and voluntary organisations to coordinate complex packages of care and prevent delayed discharges.

A key component of the role is the provision of specialist advice, education and support to patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals. The post holder will facilitate informed decision-making, provide guidance on spinal cord injury management, and support patients in achieving optimal independence and quality of life following discharge.

The successful candidate will lead and chair complex discharge planning meetings, case conferences and reviews, ensuring effective communication between all stakeholders and that agreed actions are implemented within required timescales. They will undertake post-discharge reviews, monitor outcomes, identify changing needs and coordinate further interventions where necessary.

The role also includes responsibility for supporting service improvement through participation in audit, policy development, research activities and implementation of evidence-based practice. The post holder will contribute to staff development, provide professional leadership within the team and deputise for the Complex Discharge Team Manager as required.

The position demands excellent communication, negotiation and leadership skills, together with the ability to manage challenging situations involving highly sensitive information, complex family dynamics and significant emotional demands associated with spinal cord injury rehabilitation and discharge planning.

Registration and qualifications/attainments

Essential

• Degree or recognised qualification in Nursing/Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy/Other relevant Degree
• Active registration with relevant governing body (NMC/ HCPC)

Desirable

• Management Course/ Leadership
• Continued Professional Development
• Full Driving Licence

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience working as a Registered Nurse
• SCI or Rehabilitation Experience
• oDischarge Experience

Desirable

• Supervision of Staff

Other

Essential

• Able to work on own initiative and under pressure
• work within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Health and Social Care Funding for Community Care
• Specialist clinical skills i.e. Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel Management