Are you passionate about preventing surgical site infection? Are you interested in developing a career pathway in the specialist field of surgical site infection surveillance? Are you concerned about patient safety in relation to surgical procedures?
If yes, you might be the right candidate for this exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic nurse to join our teams in surgery.
The Surgical Site Surveillance Nurse is a member of the Surgical Team leading in providing a service for the surveillance of surgical site infections and implementation of improvement work for University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. They will be responsible for accurate data collection, with appropriate analysis and dissemination of results; and will lead the wider surgical team in developing strategies for improvement based on learning from the data and associated clinical case reviews.
Key Responsibilities
1. Oversee the collection of SSI data for relevant categories as determined by the Division and/or the Infection Prevention and Control Team.
2. Oversee (and participate as needed in) efficient and accurate data entry.
3. Review results and gain consensus of results prior to reporting to UKHSA.
4. Prepare and deliver reports of the data to relevant staff.
5. Work with the division to deliver a quarterly case learning review panel.
6. Work with surgical teams to apply learning for improvement of the service.
7. Manage the Surgical Site Infection Surveillance assistant.
8. Review processes to streamline the service delivery.
9. Work with other Trust Surveillance Nurses to facilitate a comprehensive and consistent service across the Trust.
10. Link into other Trust Surveillance Teams to further develop the service.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work-life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
Clinical Responsibilities
1. Leads the development systems and processes for surveillance.
2. Ensures that accurate and detailed information is collected.
3. Participates in the collection of relevant data.
4. Works as part of the wider surgical team to provide, develop and promote high-quality care to reduce surgical site infection.
5. Uses specialist knowledge and skills for assessing and interpreting highly complex surveillance data.
6. Provides senior nurse support through clinical assessment skills, clinical interventions, and clinical management support for all the clinical areas where needed.
7. Explains the significance of laboratory reports to hospital staff and relates clinical information to laboratory staff when required.
8. Communicates information to other members of the Surgical Team and other staff where relevant.
9. Develops cooperation from staff and strategies for overcoming barriers to understanding.
10. Undertakes staff education by organising study sessions for surgical teams and nurses.
11. Ensures the implementation of best practice to reduce the incidence of surgical site infection.
12. Supports ward staff, junior and senior doctors by assisting with clinical skills appropriate to scope of practice.
13. Assists in strategies for early identification of wound problems.
14. Troubleshoots wound management throughout the patient pathway.
15. Contributes to the development of guidelines/protocols based on NICE guidelines.
16. Visits wards/departments as part of the surveillance role.
17. Acts as a role model as part of an integrated multi-professional team.
18. Undertakes surveillance of patients post-discharge.
19. Formulates, completes, and manages surveillance documentation.
20. Participates in the Trust's clinical, professional, and managerial meetings relevant to the service.
21. Provides information to management on surveillance and audit by collating clinical data.
22. Prepares and presents statistical information as required.
23. Liaises with the Consultant Microbiologists and laboratory staff as needed.
24. Audits current practice and advises as appropriate.
25. Provides specialist advice about surveillance to patients and their families/carers, staff and students.
26. Understands and recognises own limitations and refers/escalates when required.
Please see the Job description and Person specification.
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