Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services. Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions. Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients. In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research. We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit. Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’. Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’. The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients. We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS. Job overview Supporting the Trust Lead for SSI Surveillance, Research and Innovation, the post holder will develop, implement and evaluate a seamless specialist service across the five hospital sites, ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of clinical care. They act as a lead specialist and will demonstrate a high level of expertise within the specialist service, providing specialist advice, education and support to health care professionals and patients. The post holder will actively undertake clinical audits and support research and innovation within the specialist area. The post holder will be responsible for contributing to the ongoing development of clinical practice, research and standards of care within the service, including development of policies, protocols and guidelines and contribute to service developments in collaboration with multidisciplinary colleagues. Also ensures the safety and well-being of services users, and always working in a manner that promotes dignity and human rights through the adoption of person centered care principles. Main duties of the job The post holder will be responsible for the efficient and effective running of the surgical site infection surveillance (SSIS) service within the Surveillance and Innovation Unit, Infection Prevention and Control Department, keeping the Trust lead for surveillance abreast of the programme activity and meeting discussions. The post holder will also manage the Deputy CNS surveillance nurses, surgical site infection surveillance assistants and administrators, and other staff as required. Key to this post is ensuring data is collected in a timely and efficient manner and that this data is accurate and of high quality. This will be achieved through excellent human resource, performance management, effective communication and leadership to achieve improvements in process and the development of a robust surveillance programme. The post holder will be required to establish effective relationships with the Trust directorate’s multidisplinary team in order to access the necessary data and agree issues related to confirming infections but also to ensure that patients receive high standards of care pre/peri and post operatively. The post holder will be required to undertake primary analysis of the results, and to write reports and give presentations based on the surveillance data collated, ensuring the Trust Lead is kept informed of information and variations. Working for our organisation Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark. We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King’s Health Partners – we are one of England’s eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world-class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the NIHR’s biomedical research centres, established with King’s College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities . We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs. We strive to recruit and retain the best staff as the dedication and skills of our employees lie at the heart of our organisation and ensure that our services are of the highest quality, safe and focused on our patients. Detailed job description and main responsibilities Clinical · To lead in SSI data handling ensuring correct completion of surveillance forms. · To undertake audit in relation to SSIS and to ensure audit documentation is completed correctly. · To work autonomously managing a case load of defined group of patients ensuring close surveillance is undertaken to identify wound infections and determine incidence and prevalence of infections. · To promote a patient focused approach to care ensuring high standards of surgical care are followed and in collaboration with all relevant health professionals. · To act as an advisor who select and initiate appropriate action to enable all grades and disciplines of staff to prevent surgical site infections (SSI). · To use wound analysis using clinical guidelines to asses surgical patients to identify signs of infection. · Collaborate, direct, support and advise (as required) staff on the management of patients who have developed a SSI providing Trust lead with oversight as required. · Oversee and participate in data entry and coding. · Oversee and participate in telephone, ward and provide/undertake post discharge follow up surveillance. · To provide information to patients and their carers as required where a need has been identified in relation to infection surveillance. · To provide specialist input in the identification, prevention and monitoring of SSI. · To review microbiology data and evaluate the efficiency of an intervention and plan future practice in consultation with relevant clinical leads. · Explain the significance of microbiological data to staff to enable them to prevent and control SSI. · Support general enquires relating to SSIS from patients, staff and the general public always acting appropriately, sensitively and professionally to ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times. · To collaborate with the SSI team and SUI, keeping the Trust lead up-to-date on SSIS and in the investigation and management and clusters/outbreaks of surgical site infections. · Review surveillance data against national average and prepare reports and recommendations for the Trust lead. · Collaborate and support surgical teams in providing information which enables patients to make choices about adopting a healthier lifestyle and actions to reduce surgical wound infections. · To participate in the promotion and maintenance of effective communication with patients, health professionals in relation to surgical site wound surveillance and IPC team. · To manage and supervise the surveillance assistants in the collection of data and assessment of wound infections in relation to the national surveillance protocol. · To ensure the national mandatory surveillance data collection targets are met and data is collected, inputted and followed up by the Surveillance Team in a timely and efficient manner. · To maintain effective communication within the SSIS, IPC, Intravenous and Tissue Viability teams and within the wider organisation. · To work within the directorate of infection and with the wider organisation in ensuring that the surveillance objectives set out in Health Act 2008 are implemented and achieved. · Assist clinical teams in the formulation and initiation of appropriate strategies or action plans required to minimize the risk of SSIs. · To use information technologies to collect and interpret data to formulate action plans. · To develop, implement and maintain systems for comprehensive SSI surveillance including but not limited to outcomes, impact and prevention measures. Management · To provide a leadership role and demonstrate expert knowledge for the implementation, maintenance and development with the SSI surveillance programme working closely with the Trust lead. · To organize and co-ordinate SSIS committee meetings for Lead SSIS consultants or surgeons as well as the wider multidisciplinary teams, working closely with the Trust lead. On behalf of the Trust Lead, attend clinical governance meetings for relevant surgical directorates and ensure timely written feedback on meeting discussions and actions arising. · To organise departmental SSIS meetings in consultation with SSIS leads as required. · To develop SSI service with a view to covering all surgical specialisms. · Develop the role according to changes to surgical patient management and research findings e.g. latest recommendations from NICE or Department of Health. · Maintain accurate records of the SSIS ensuring that confidentiality is maintained. · To liaise with external agencies to ensure that appropriate trust data is provided to the UKHSA. · To maintain a flexible approach to the role and ensure provisions on an efficient and effective service within agreed resources. · Line management and leadership responsibility for the SSIS Deputy CNSs and healthcare assistants. · Being conversant with all team activities to ensure adequate cover is provided in times of absence. · Implement new initiatives at the request of the Trust lead related to the prevention of SSIs ensuring all staff are kept informed. · Act as a facilitator and change agent enabling clinical staff to embrace strategies for change. · Manage change by synthesising knowledge and expertise. · Prioritise workload taking into account varying demands and resources. · Teach support and develop the junior staff in the surveillance team. · Identify problems related to the prevention of SSIs and be involved in developing improved methods of work in a multi-disciplinary team environment. · Acts as an expert SSIS resource for all staff at clinical level. · Develop and maintain optimal relationships with lead clinicians, senior nursing staff, clinical audit leads the infection and prevention control teams, microbiology teams and those involved in SSI surveillance. · To produce logical, structured written reports for relevant clinical staff, the trust Infection Control Committee and the Trust Infection Control and Assurance Committee (TICAC), liaising closely with the Trust Lead in advance of meetings. Clinical Research, Audit, Quality & Education · Responsible for ensuring coordinated team support for Trust Lead research and innovation projects and information requirements. · Responsible for monitoring and ensuring the validity of the patient information collected by the SSI heathcare assistants and surgical nurses for the surveillance programme within the Trust. · Responsible for ensuring the standard of data collection by the SSI team and data entry is accurate and reliable. · Ensure a programme of awareness and feedback on the SSI programme is in place. · To collaborate with the SSI team, microbiology team, epidemiologist, research team and representatives from clinical areas in the development of audits and collection of data for wider IPC purposes. · Work with the clinical areas where SSIS in undertaken in identifying the education requirements. · To organise and deliver the feedback of the SSI surveillance results to the clinical teams to review results and where appropriate agree actions. · To aid in the development of a programme of research related to SSI. · To participate in the training and development of the SSI team and the wider surgical teams e.g. UKHSA SSI surveillance training. · To participate in education of clinical and non-clinical teams at Infection Control Awareness days, Infection control link practitioners' course and meetings and Quarterly Infection control briefings. · Critically evaluate SSI data and research to formulate advice on the prevention and control of SSI. · Incorporate UKHSA guidelines, NICE guideline, and other public issues into guidance and advice for all staff in consultation with the clinical leads. · To formulate and implement teaching strategies for different staff groups. · Critically appraise and evaluate IPC practice around SSI through a structured audit programme designed to reduce SSI. · Develop evidence based clinical guidelines for surgical site care with other SSI team members and tissue viability nurses. · Acts as a facilitator in relevant clinical trials related to SSIS. · To adapt, assist and support implementation of changes/procedures and to participate in evaluations of the service within the Surveillance and Innovation Unit. · Present clinical findings at and attendance at conferences nationally when required. Person specification Professional / Statutory Registration Essential criteria RN1 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register or other relevant professional background Education/ Qualifications Essential criteria Bsc / 1st Degree or Masters (health related) or equivalent qualification/ training and experience Post graduate certificate in specialist area, e.g. infection link practitioner course, surveillance or audit skills etc. Professional knowledge acquired at degree level will be supplemented by specialist training, experience and short Courses to Masters level equivalent. Leadership Course Mentorship Course Desirable criteria Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (health economics, medical statistics, epidemiology, health informatics, or a related discipline) or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience and further training/development. Previous Experience Essential criteria Extensive experience of working autonomously at an advanced level within the specialist area delivering and or reporting effective patient-focused care. Proven evidence of management /leadership skills and autonomous practice. Previous experience of student supervision and clinical education at undergraduate level Experience of delivering patient advocacy Experience of audit, research & evidence based care Experience of delivering change management both personally and as a Facilitator Desirable criteria Current, relevant and consolidated experience in surveillance Skills/ Knowledge/ Ability Essential criteria Advanced clinical, managerial and leadership skills in specialty. Proven listening / counselling skills with the ability to manage complex situation and appropriately deliver sensitive and difficult outcomes. Evidence of teaching skills in in how to manage their conditions and raise their awareness of their condition. Ability to 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. Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal & communication skills. Able to use skills of history taking and physical assessment to direct patient care. Time management and organisation skills. Ability to conduct & evaluate own projects successfully. Demonstrate an understanding of the National agenda for specialty. Knowledge of quality standards & NICE recommendations/NSF. Knowledge of current clinical & nursing research. Ability to carry out audit and research. IT skills. Presentation skills. Desirable criteria Understanding of the national picture and agenda with respect to SSI Ability to interpret and analyse complex data and findings Undertaken or supported clinical research Additional Information Essential criteria Creative, lateral thinker Sensitivity based on knowledge Diplomatic Flexible and positive approach to work Good health/attendance record Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy. As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends. Flexible working We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual’s personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process. Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis. Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now." Applicant requirements This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Further details / informal visits contact Name Melissa Rochon Job title Trust Lead for SSI Surveillance Email address [email protected]