Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Nurse

Job summary

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 the right candidate for this exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic nurse to join our teams in surgery.

Main duties of the job

TheSurgical SiteSurveillance Nurseisa member of theSWSSurgeryTeamleadingin providing a service for the surveillanceof surgical site infectionsand implementation of improvement workfor University Hospitals Sussex NHS willbe responsible foraccuratedata collection, withappropriate analysisand disseminationof results; andwill leadthe wider surgical teaminimplementationin developingstrategies for improvementbased on learning from the data and associated clinical case the key responsibilities the Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Nurse will:

Oversee the collection of SSI data for relevant categories as determined by the Division and/or the Infection Prevention and Control Team

Oversee (and participate as need in) efficient and accurate data entry

Review results and gain consensus of results prior to reporting to UKHSA

Prepare and deliver reports of the data to relevant staff

Work with the division to deliver a quarterly case learning review panel

Work with surgical teams to apply learning for improvement of the service

Manage the Surgical Site Infection Surveillance assistant

Review processes to streamline the service delivery

Work with other Trust Surveillance Nurses to facilitate a comprehensive and consistent service across the Trust

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 ourWellbeing 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 description

Job responsibilities

Inclusive leadership, professional standards and accountability Uphold and display the Trust values of Commitment, Care & Quality

Supervise (and where needed participate in) the data collection of patients in the relevant SSI categories.

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 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.

Please see the Job description and Person specification.

Person Specification

Experience and qualifications

Essential

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

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

Skills

Essential

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

Evidence of acting on data and the analysis of data

Equality and Diversity

Essential

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

---