Discharge Co-ordinator

• Complete early assessment of patients’ medical, social, and functional needs
• Identify potential barriers to discharge and plan solutions proactively
• Assess suitability for home, rehabilitation, or step-down facilities
• Attend ward rounds or MDT meetings to review progress and confirm discharge goals
• Communicate and update discharge plans with consultants, nurses, therapists, and social workers
• Highlight patients requiring complex discharge planning
• Provide clear information about discharge timelines, expectations, and required supports
• Educate patients/families on medications, follow-up appointments, and self-care needs
• Facilitate shared decision-making for discharge destinations
• Communicate the potential financial exposure for each admission to the Head of Finance Operations, patient and their nominated representatives
• Liaise with the hospital’s finance and insurance teams regarding patient coverage and eligibility
• Confirm private medical insurance approval for ongoing care, step-down facilities, or equipment where applicable
• Communicate funding limits, co-payments, or out-of-pocket costs to patients and families
• Ensure discharge plans align with insurance authorisations and financial constraints
• Coordinate with insurers for extensions, additional services, or appeals if delays occur
• Escalate financial or insurance issues that may impact timely discharge
• Collaborate with billing teams to ensure accurate documentation for insurance claims
• Monitor patients nearing discharge to support efficient bed utilisation
• Escalate delays or complex cases impacting patient flow
• Support targets such as early-day discharges and reduced length of stay
• Document all discharge planning actions, discussions, and service arrangements
• Maintain accurate records for internal tracking, regulatory compliance, and audits
• Report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to discharge efficiency
• Ensure discharge processes comply with hospital policies, HIQA standards, and HSE guidelines
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, audits, and discharge planning reviews
• Identify risks or gaps in the discharge process and propose improvements
• Provide guidance to ward staff on discharge planning best practices
• Educate new or junior staff regarding discharge procedures and documentation
• Serve as a resource for complex discharge cases
• Address delays caused by service shortages, funding issues, or social factors
• Advocate for safe and appropriate discharge arrangements
• Support vulnerable or high-risk patients to ensure continuity of care
• Take personal responsibility for own professional development and keep up to date with evidence based practice and research
• Attend and participate in staff development programmes on an ongoing basis
• Assist with the orientation and induction of new staff and be available to provide orientation as deemed necessary, helping them to integrate as members of the Unit team
• Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date
• Comply with all HR system and policy requirements
• Ensure that there is compliance with all relevant Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements
• Participate in the requirements of the hospitals accreditation process
• Participate in the requirements of the hospital’s risk management programme
• Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients
• Encourage evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings

• 2 years working in a healthcare setting
• Working in a team environment
• Experience in dealing with patients/customers
• Self-starter
• High attention to detail
• Ability to analyse high volumes of information
• Advanced knowledge of MS Excel
• Relationship building with internal and external personnel
• Team player with the ability to work on own initiative
• Able to prioritise and multi-task
• Process Based Approach
• Ability to work to deadlines

Hospital Experience within either a Finance Department or clinical setting