Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Nurse
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
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.
Main duties of the job
The Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Nurse is a member of the SWSSurgery 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 implementing strategies for improvement based on learning from the data and associated clinical case reviews. Among the key responsibilities, the Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Nurse will:
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) 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.
About us
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.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Uphold and display the Trust values of Commitment, Care & Quality.
2. Supervise (and where needed participate in) the data collection of patients in the relevant SSI categories.
3. Supervise the activities of the SSIS Assistant ensuring that deadlines for the national surveillance data submission are achieved, escalating challenges to line manager.
4. Contribute to the provision of specialist protocols and policies to facilitate accurate collection of information and dissemination of results.
5. Responsible for organising own workload within the requirements of the specialist team activities and work plan.
6. Produce and present surveillance and audit reports as required.
7. Provide representation of committee/working groups as required.
8. Ensure concerns regarding the quality of service provided are escalated to line manager.
Clinical Responsibilities
1. Lead the development systems and processes for surveillance.
2. Ensure that accurate and detailed information is collected.
3. Participate in the collection of relevant data.
4. Work as part of the wider surgical team to provide, develop and promote high-quality care to reduce surgical site infection promoting excellence throughout the Trust.
5. Use specialist knowledge and skills for assessing and interpreting highly complex surveillance data across a wide variety of disciplines, providing advice in the development of nursing standards and guidelines for patient care.
6. Provide senior nurse support through clinical assessment skills, clinical interventions and clinical management support for all the clinical areas where needed.
7. Explain the significance of laboratory reports to hospital staff and relate clinical information to laboratory staff when required.
8. Communicate information to other members of the Surgical Team and other staff where relevant.
9. Develop co-operation from staff and strategies for overcoming barriers to understanding.
10. Undertake staff education by organising study sessions for surgical teams and nurses as part of the clinical governance agenda.
11. Ensure the implementation of best practice to reduce the incidence of surgical site infection by using a problem-solving approach and facilitation of the change process.
12. Support ward staff, junior and senior doctors by assisting with clinical skills appropriate to scope of practice such as aseptic technique and facilitates staff training for aseptic technique and surgical wound care.
13. Assist in strategies for early identification of wound problems and signpost patient or staff for relevant intervention to prevent deterioration and patient harm.
14. Troubleshoot wound management throughout the patient pathway and ensure patients get timely assessment of wound infection.
15. Contribute to the development of guidelines/protocols based on NICE guidelines to be used in theatres and wards.
16. Develop care plans specific for wound care of acute surgical site. Actively seek to improve practice through the application of research.
17. Visit wards/departments as part of the surveillance role audits, evaluates and updates efforts to prevent SSI. Support staff to take ownership of local issues.
18. Act as a role model as part of an integrated multi-professional team, ensuring high quality care is delivered to the patients.
19. Undertake surveillance of patients post discharge. Develop strategies to do this to obtain accurate information regarding SSI.
20. Formulate, complete and manage surveillance documentation.
21. Participate in the Trust's clinical, professional and managerial meetings and committees relevant to the service.
22. Provide information to management on surveillance and audit by collating clinical data. Prepare reports for Infection Control Committees and Clinical Governance meetings for surgical division.
23. Prepare and present statistical information as required and collate and record relevant data and information.
24. Liaise with the Consultant Microbiologists and laboratory staff as needed.
25. Audit current practice i.e. the day-to-day baseline standards of infection prevention and advise as appropriate.
26. Develop skills to assess and interpret specialist information and take appropriate action.
27. Provide specialist advice about surveillance to patients and their families/carers, staff and students.
28. Understand and recognise own limitations and refer/escalate when required.
Professional Responsibilities
1. Use developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams.
2. Take the lead on providing surgical site infection surveillance support and advice Trust-wide with the support of other members of the team.
3. Ensure that data is available for validation and analysis by infection specialists.
4. Identify early problems arising and ensure these are reported to head of nursing.
5. Ensure that national SSISS audits are accurate and correct.
6. Use reflection and self-assessment to formulate and prioritise strategies for self-development and the improvement of own competence and pursue a programme of continuous education using a range of resources in line with needs of the Trust and current requirements of the NMC.
7. Plan and organise own specialist workload across a broad range of activities, taking into account both clinical and non-clinical commitments.
8. Work independently within agreed policies/procedures on clinical work projects etc., keeping manager informed of progress.
9. Participate in regular individual performance review and agree personal development plans in line with service objectives.
10. Initiate and support the clinical review of incidents and local learning reviews as needed.
11. Ensure Datix is completed for any moderate harm or above incidents.
12. Be familiar with and adhere to Trust policies.
13. Attend Trust wide meetings in order to represent the Surgical Team when required and feed back appropriately.
14. Maintain responsibility for own professional development.
Communications
1. Communicate sensitive/highly sensitive and complex information to patients and their relatives/members of the public with empathy and reassurance.
2. Prepare appropriate reports for meetings and committees as requested.
3. Work with the Surgical Team on the preparation of significant reports.
4. Competently use computers to national guidance from the Internet.
5. Maintain timely, accurate and concise records for the clinical service, compiling statistical information that will profile the service and inform future strategic development and support the production of board, governance annual reports etc.
6. Work independently within agreed policies/procedures on clinical work, projects etc., keeping manager informed of progress.
7. Work with all members of the Surgical Team and other Trust staff in the establishment and revision of policies/guidelines and other documentation relating to SSIS and ensure implementation across the Trust.
8. Be responsible for the safe use of equipment owned by the Trust or other agencies.
Digital and Information Technology
1. Be an expert resource for teaching and provide education and training on surveillance for all grades and disciplines of staff, formally and informally as required; and evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching/learning process.
2. Provide readily available information to staff on measures to prevent SSI.
3. Participate within the Division to support a digital-ready workforce to deliver efficient healthcare.
Collaborative working and clinical effectiveness
1. Work collaboratively at all levels within the Division, the Trust and where appropriate across the wider ICS.
2. Develop trusting relationships with the surgical teams in assessing cases against SSI guidelines.
3. Establish, where appropriate, local improvement collaborations.
Service improvement and transformation
1. Support gathering of insight and feedback from patients, staff and carers in service improvement and transformation.
2. Work with the Quality Team to identify service improvement areas and employ Patient First methodology to bring about improvements.
Person Specification
Experience and qualifications
* Registered Nurse
* ENB 998 or equivalent
* Evidence and understanding of clinical audit
* Substantial experience within a surgical setting
* Up to date knowledge of surgical nursing practice
* Ability to motivate and influence individuals through facilitating and fostering excellent working relationships with colleagues across the Trust
* Experience of undertaking RCA/investigatory work.
* Understanding of infection control
* Evidence of leadership development
* Knowledge of national audits and surveillance
* Experience of the audit cycle
Skills
* Evidence of leading a team
* Evidence of changing practice and implementation of infection control standards
* Ability to interpret data
* Ability to gather data and input accurately
* Willingness to engage with changing technology and support decision making.
* Evidence of acting on data and the analysis of data
Equality and Diversity
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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.
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