Sepsis Lead Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. Provide specialist advice in the area of Sepsis to all health care staff through provision of evidence-based advice, guidance and policies to improve the quality of care within the GEH NHS Trust.
2. Provide information/advice regarding Sepsis to patients and their visitors/relatives and contribute to the development of patient information resources
3. To maintain a presence in the clinical areas working with the clinical teams to help identify potential Sepsis in patients and act as a role model
4. To work in developing and improving Sepsis care in conjunction with external organisations e.g. CCG and Public Health England, as required, sharing relevant information, and implementing agreed standards and protocols.
5. Maintain systems for accurate record keeping and report writing, including the National data bases, maintaining confidentiality.
6. Work in partnership with the Medical Sepsis Lead to empower staff to understand the affects of sepsis and the importance of recognising the clinical signs of deterioration and enhance the skills in interpreting and acting upon EWS score.
7. Contribute to the production, updates, implementation and monitoring of Sepsis policies and guidelines in collaboration with other experts and specialists, promoting and facilitating evidence -based practice.
8. Be a strong patient advocate ensuring that patient care reflects the high clinical standards of the Trust and that patients are treated with dignity and respect. Communicating sensitive and complex information, recognising barriers to understanding taking into account the possibility of hostility.

Educational

1. Devise, implement and evaluate education and training for all staff within the Trust, in conjunction with the HoN CSS and medical Sepsis lead, acting as an effective clinical professional role model and educational resource for health care staff
2. Take responsibility for own evidence-based practice and add to own body of knowledge by keeping up to date with current Sepsis guidelines
3. Participate in reflective practice and share learning to improve clinical care.
4. Provide and deliver education sessions for sepsis for various settings / audiences to improve knowledge and levels of care, contributing to the whole deteriorating patient agenda. Attend and represent the Trust at external study days and conferences.
5. Provide and deliver education sessions for sepsis within the trust and support the link practitioners role.
6. Assist in devising educational resources including patient information leaflets and play a pivotal role in trust wide delivery of these
7. Work with students ensuring they follow standard infection prevention precautions, support clinical supervision with all staff.

Audit and Surveillance

1. Assist in the development of audit and report measurable outcomes to demonstrate improved outcomes and patient experience relating to sepsis
2. Contribute to and participate in any Sepsis surveillance programmes in line with national guidelines and local requirements. Ensure appropriate evaluation and feedback takes place and support the development of action plans.
3. Use surveillance data to identify trends and identify appropriate interventions with other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
4. Participate in the investigation of any datix and complaints to support future care by highlighting lessons learnt.

Research and development

1. Engage and lead research and development opportunities to advance patient care and service development.
2. Critically appraise research and use this to inform clinical practice.

Leadership & Management

1. Represent Clinical Support Services at appropriate meetings pertaining to Sepsis
2. Contribute to relevant reports including the Sepsis update report for Mortality and Morbidity meeting.
3. Build collaborative relationships with teams and colleagues across the Trust and external partners.
4. Act as a source of expert
5. Participate in the review and evaluation of the Critical Care Outreach Services response to Sepsis triggers
6. Contribute to the development of the Sepsis identification/ prevention service.
7. Coach and support other health care workers within the Trust and wider community.
8. Act in a professional, supportive and sensitive manner when communicating with staff, patients or relatives by phone.

Personal Development

1. Identify personal development needs with the line manager.
2. Develop and maintain knowledge in the speciality of Sepsis identification/prevention through reflection on practice, attending professional meetings, relevant courses and conferences as well as self-directed study.
3. Maintain a current professional portfolio and ensure compliance with relevant registration requirements- NMC/ HCPC
4. Enhance own knowledge and qualifications by attending a degree level infection prevention and control management course.
5. Report and escalate any quality performance or operational problems identified that could impact patient safety and impact effective delivery of trust wide/ national initiatives

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• oAwareness of research/audit within the healthcare setting
• oExposure to managing change
• oEvidence of teaching experience

Desirable

• oSepsis champion role / experience

Qualifications and Professional Training

Essential

• oProfessional qualification NMC/HCPC
• oDegree in Nursing or equivalent or working towards
• oTeaching qualification or evidence of teaching/mentoring
• oOngoing personal/professional development

Desirable

• oLeadership qualification / course
• oCommitment to undertake appropriate specialist training

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• oExcellent written and verbal communication skills
• oStrong presentation skills and ability to convey complex information clearly
• oBuild and maintain effective communication between all members of the multidisciplinary team
• oAbility to deal with complex or stressful situations involving staff, patients and relatives.
• oCompetent user of computer software including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook & Power Point

Desirable

• oAccuracy and attention to detail in relation to computer data entry and recording of information and policy formation

Personal Qualities

Essential

• oAbility to work alone and as part of a team.
• oAbility to work calmly and effectively when under pressure.
• oAbility to organise time to meet competing priorities
• oUnderstand the limitations of your knowledge and ability.
• oExcellent interpersonal skills and communication
• oAbility to build constructive working relationships with all staff groups
• oAct as a resource for IPC across the local health economy
• oAdaptable
• oAbility to critically assess research and other sources of new knowledge Able to assess, plan and implement care pathways within National guidelines
• oApproachable & Enthusiastic

Desirable

• oAn enquiring and open-minded approach
• oDemonstrates resilience.

Other

Essential

• oAble to work flexibly during work hours to cover department needs
• oNonsmoker in working hours
• oFlexible to meet the requirements of the Trust if required to work in other wards/departments at the request of the manager or other senior hospital manager

Trust Values

Essential

• Effective Open Communication
• Excellence and safety in all that we do
• Challenge but support
• Expect respect and dignity
• Local healthcare that inspires confidence

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).