Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Nurse

Job Title: Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Nurse

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Nurse to join our team at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the surveillance of surgical site infections and implementing improvement work to reduce the incidence of these infections.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the collection of SSI data for relevant categories as determined by the Division and/or the Infection Prevention and Control Team
• Supervise the activities of the SSIS Assistant ensuring that deadlines for the national surveillance data submission are achieved, escalating challenges to line manager
• Contributes to the provision of specialist protocols and policies to facilitate accurate collection of information and dissemination of results
• Undertakes personal development review for SSIS Assistant
• Responsible for organising own workload within the requirements of the specialist team activities and work plan
• Produces and presents surveillance and audit reports as required
• Provide representation of committee/working groups as required
• Ensure concerns regarding the quality of service provided are escalated to line manager

Clinical Responsibilities

• Leads the development systems and processes for surveillance
• Ensures that accurate and detailed information is collected
• Participates in the collection of relevant data
• Works 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
• Uses 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
• To provide senior nurse support through clinical assessment skills, clinical interventions and clinical management support for all the clinical areas where needed
• Explains the significance of laboratory reports to hospital staff and relates clinical information to laboratory staff when required
• Communicates information to other members of the Surgical Team and other staff where relevant
• Develops co-operation from staff and strategies for overcoming barriers to understanding
• Undertakes staff education by organising study sessions for surgical teams and nurses as part of the clinical governance agenda
• Ensures 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
• Supports 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
• Assists in strategies for early identification of wound problems and signposts patient or staff for relevant intervention to prevent deterioration and patient harm
• Troubleshoots wound management throughout the patient pathway and ensures patients get timely assessment of wound infection
• Contributes to the development of guidelines / protocols based on NICE guidelines to be used in theatres and wards
• Develops care plans specific for wound care of acute surgical site. Actively seeks to improve practice through the application of research
• Visits wards/departments as part of the surveillance role audits, evaluates and updates efforts to prevent SSI. Supports staff to take ownership of local issues
• Acts as a role model as part of an integrated multi-professional team, ensuring high quality care is delivered to the patients
• Undertakes surveillance of patients post discharge. Develops strategies to do this to obtain accurate information regarding SSI
• Formulates, completes and manages surveillance documentation
• Participates in the Trusts clinical, professional and managerial meetings and committees relevant to the service
• To 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
• Prepares and presents statistical information as required and collates and records relevant data and information
• Liaise with the Consultant Microbiologists and laboratory staff as needed
• Audits current practice i.e. the day-to-day baseline standards of infection prevention and advises as appropriate
• Develops skills to assess and interpret specialist information and takes appropriate action
• Provides specialist advice about surveillance to patients and their families/carers, staff and students
• Understands and recognises own limitations and refers/ escalates when required

Professional Responsibilities

• To use developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams
• Takes the lead on providing surgical site infection surveillance support and advice Trust-wide with the support of other members of the team
• Ensures that data is available for validation and analysis by infection specialists
• Identifies early problems arising and ensures these are reported to head of nursing
• Ensures that national SSISS audits are accurate and correct
• Uses reflection and self-assessment to formulate and prioritise strategies for self-development and the improvement of own competence and pursues a programme of continuous education using a range of resources in line with needs of the Trust and current requirements of the NMC
• Plans and organises own specialist workload across a broad range of activities, taking into account both clinical and non-clinical commitments
• Works independently within agreed policies/procedures on clinical work projects etc., keeping manager informed of progress
• Participates in regular individual performance review and agrees personal development plans in line with service objectives
• Initiates and supports the clinical review of incidents and local learning reviews as needed
• Ensure Datix is completed for any moderate harm or above incidents
• Is familiar with and adheres to Trust policies
• Attends Trust wide meetings in order to represent the Surgical Team when required and feeds back appropriately
• Maintains responsibility for own professional development

Communications

• Communicates sensitive/highly sensitive and complex information to patients and their relatives/ members of the public with empathy and reassurance
• Prepares appropriate reports for meetings and committees as requested
• Works with the Surgical Team on the preparation of significant reports
• Competent use of computer to national guidance from the Internet
• Maintains 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.
• Works independently within agreed policies/procedures on clinical work, projects etc., keeping manager informed of progress
• Works 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 ensures implementation across the Trust
• Responsible for the safe use of equipment owned by the Trust or other agencies

Digital and information technology

• 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
• To provide readily available information to staff on measures to prevent SSI
• Participate within the Division to support a digital-ready workforce to deliver efficient healthcare

Collaborative working and clinical effectiveness

• Work collaboratively at all levels within the Division, the Trust and where appropriate across the wider ICS
• Develop trusting relationships with the surgical teams in assessing cases against SSI guidelines
• Establish, where appropriate, local improvement collaborations

Service improvement and transformation

• Promote quality improvement as everybody's business
• Support gathering of insight and feedback from patients, staff and carers in service improvement and transformation
• Work with the Quality Team to identify service improvement areas and employ Patient First methodology to bring about improvements

Person specification

Experience and qualifications

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse
• ENB 998 or equivalent
• Evidence and understanding of clinical audit
• Significant registration experience
• Substantial experience within a surgical setting
• Up to date knowledge of surgical nursing practice
• Ability to motivate and influence individuals through facilitating and foster excellent working relationships with colleagues across the Trust
• Experience of undertaking RCA/investigatory work

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of infection control
• Evidence of leadership development
• Knowledge of national audits and surveillance
• Experience of the audit cycle

Skills

Essential criteria

• 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

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of acting on data and the analysis of data

Equality and Diversity

Essential criteria

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

Important information for applicants

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.

Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

---