Deputy Clinical Specialist – SSI Surveillance (RBH)

Job responsibilities

Clinical

The post holder will have a key role in the programme of surgical site infection surveillance and participate in other audit activities as appropriate. This will include continuous data collection, validation, analysis and feedback of results to clinicians and other staff.

To proactively identify patients at risk of SSI and implementing measures to mitigate this risk. This includes post discharge surveillance and providing wound care for healing wounds as well as escalating care appropriately for wounds showing evidence of early SSI.

Work at ward level to introduce, monitor and feedback on surveillance initiatives.

To liaise directly with the surveillance team lead to report any increase in infection or outcomes of concerns in patients and to notify of any lapses/deviation from Trust protocols.

To complete in a timely fashion Incident Form/Datix and lead on Root Cause Analysis for all deep and organ space wounds or superficial wounds which may trigger Duty of Candour; in line with the Trusts framework for Clinical Governance. A key component of this work is to create and maintain mechanisms to monitor and report improvements.

To provide wound care as needed for patients at high risk of SSI as well as providing a follow up and review service for discharged patients. To ensure wounds with evidence of infection are reviewed by the surgical team and/or tissue viability service.

To deliver patient education when required e.g. education patients on wound infection prevention on the pre-operative open days/sessions for patients scheduled to undergo surgery.

To comply with and participate in the Trusts framework for Quality and Safety and Compassion in Practice (6Cs).

General To act in accordance within relevant professional codes of practice e.g. professional registration bodies and their statutory guidelines and be accountable for his/her actions at all times Be aware and work within the policies and procedures of Guys & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, carrying out such duties as may be required, and that are commensurate with the responsibility of the grade. To undertake project work as requested by the Line Manager, as appropriate. As a member of the multi-disciplinary profession to embrace and operate within the spirit of, and actively support, the Trusts values and pledges to patients and staff, and the Infection prevention and control strategy, to meet their objectives.

Compliance and GovernanceThe post holder is required to follow Trust policies and procedures which are regularly updated including:

Confidentiality / Data Protection / Freedom of InformationPost holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 1998. Post holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to an unauthorised person those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1998 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2005, post holders must apply the Trusts FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.

Equal OpportunitiesPost holders must at all times fulfil their responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy and equality laws.

Health and SafetyAll post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the Trusts health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.

Risk ManagementAll post holders have a responsibility to report risks such as clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly. They are expected to be familiar with the Trusts use of risk assessments to predict and control risk, as well as the incident reporting system for learning from mistakes and near misses in order to improve services. Post holders must also attend training identified by their manager or stated by the Trust to be mandatory.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adultsPost holders have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.

Smoking PolicyIt is the policy of the Trust to promote health. Smoking, therefore, is actively discouraged and is prohibited in the majority of the Hospital, including offices. However, there are designated smoking areas on both sites.

Essential

Essential

• Bsc / 1st Degree (health related) or equivalent qualification/ training and experience

Desirable

• Teaching qualification (ENB 998 or equivalent)
• Post-graduate certification

Professional / Statutory Registration

Essential

• Registered Nurse on the NMC Register

Previous Experience

Essential

• Post-registration experience
• Surgical nursing experience

Desirable

• Relevant experience in Infection Prevention and Control, Tissue Viability
• Principles of wound healing
• Surveillance or Research Data management and analysis
• Teaching experience
• Understanding and experience of audit
• Understanding and experience of research
• Experience of working on QI projects

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing
• Flexible to change
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Able to work autonomously and of part of a team based at different sites
• Able to manage difficult situations effectively
• Able to use own initiative
• Confident
• Demonstrates evidence of applying current research to practice
• Experience of audit
• Ability to clinically lead & influence staff
• Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues
• Sound knowledge of current issues in the profession and practice of nursing
• Good time management and organisation skills
• Knowledge of current clinical & nursing research
• Ability to carry out audit and research
• IT Skills (Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, MS word, Microsoft) Ability to learn new IT skills
• Presentation skills

Desirable

• Evidence of practice innovation and developmentst
• Evidence of involvement in research
• Evidence of teaching and assessing skills
• Evidence of organising events and/or use of social media to good effect
• Knowledge of quality standards & NICE / DH recommendations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the National agenda related to surgical site infection.

Additional Information

Essential

• Creative, lateral thinker with sensitivity based on knowledge
• Diplomatic, flexible and positive approach to work
• Good health/attendance Record

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).