Job overview
****** THIS POSITION IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST EMPLOYEES ******
Exciting opportunity for an experienced B7 or B6 with an interest in tissue viability to join the Tissue Viability/Harm Free Care team for a 6 month secondment.
The Tissue viability nurse specialist is an integral part of the Harm Free Care Team providing specialist, expert advice, treatment and education to support our clinical teams to deliver safe and compassionate care, reduce harm and improve patient experience.
This post is based at the RSCH/PRH/Newhaven sites. However, there may be a need for the post holder to be flexible at times to provide service delivery and advanced knowledge on all matters relating to tissue viability, across multiple hospital sites across the county of Sussex. There will be support and supervision to ensure the post holder is competent and confident to deliver the needs of the service across the differing sites.
Please note that this role is a secondment opportunity. Before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current line manager. Secondments can’t be agreed without your current manager’s approval. If you are unable to gain your managers approval you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position
Main duties of the job
·Provide highly specialist clinical knowledge and holistic advice to clinical staff underpinned by theoretical and practical knowledge of a wide range of procedures and practices relating to traumatic, acute and chronic wound management. This will include the management of lower leg trauma and other tissue viability challenges.
·Manage and prioritise referrals to the service, determining those requiring direct review and/or liaison with other agencies
·Independently assess, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate care delivered to the tissue viability caseload of patients, as well as implementation of management plans created in collaboration with medical colleagues.
·Support Matrons and other clinical staff using the AAR/ELR process for incidents to identify root causes and contributing factors for incidents, ensuring that this informs quality improvement work, and that appropriate actions and learning is shared across the Trust and wider community.
·Advice on safeguarding escalation of admitted and acquired pressure ulcers.
·Participate and initiate quality improvement works in relation to improve the Tissue Viability service.
·Provide education programmes as required related to tissue viability as part of the Harm free Care plan within University Hospitals Sussex.
·Make clinical judgements about patients and adjust treatment plans accordingly to achieve treatment targets.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will:
· Act as a positive role model through the provision of effective professional leadership and demonstration of competent, accountable clinical practice.
· Work as an autonomous practitioner providing specialist support and guidance to clinical staff to maintain standards, reduce hospital acquired pressure ulcers, promote wound healing and manage complex wounds.
· Triage and manage referrals and evaluate current treatment plans to improve clinical outcomes improving quality, and patient experience.
· Provide expert advice on Tissue Viability related resources, equipment and products required for a safe and effective care across University Hospitals Sussex.
· Assist in the development review, and evaluating of Trust wide Tissue viability policies, protocols/guidelines, ensuring that any regional and national guidelines are incorporated for local use.
· Initiate and facilitate audit and research that aims to collect evidence to support and strengthen clinical practice and to enhance knowledge and understanding of wound healing.
· Assist in Trust wide pressure ulcer reduction campaigns working in partnership with the Divisional Directors of Nursing and Hospital Directors to sustain and embed improvements
· Work collaboratively both with internal and external stakeholders/partners where required.
· Will be responsible for the performance management and clinical supervision of the Tissue Viability nurses within the team.
Person specification
Education & Professional Registration
Essential criteria
1. NMC Registration
2. Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of experience
Desirable criteria
3. Experience in managing a team
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Recognised tissue viability qualification or specialist wound related studies
5. Teaching and assessing qualification
6. Qualification in conservative sharp debridement
7. Demonstrable post registration experience and demonstrable experience at a senior level
8. Evidence of professional/clinical knowledge competencies and experience of Tissue Viability management supplemented by managerial training and CPD
9. Experience of developing clinical policy, and applying nursing audit/research in practice
10. Experience of leading quality improvement projects and implementation of change
Desirable criteria
11. Management experience and experience of leading a team
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
12. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
13. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
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 the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications