Job overview
Fixed Term / Secondment Opportunity for 12 months.
We are seeking a dedicated and proactive Harm Free Care Improvement Nurse to join our Harm Free Care Team. In this pivotal role, you will lead initiatives aimed at minimizing preventable harm, enhancing patient outcomes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across our acute care services.
At UHSx we are committed to delivering exceptional patient care through innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. As a Harm Free Care Improvement Nurse, you will play a crucial role in shaping our patient safety culture and driving sustainable improvements across the organization.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, dynamic and innovative individual to work with us improving outcomes for patients. The role involves working closely with front line clinical teams, providing hands on support and education in a wide variety of areas. You will be involved in monitoring data, involvement in early learning reviews and local learning responses, sharing learning and providing information relating to the Trust’s safety agenda
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.
Main duties of the job
Support the clinical teams in ensuring effective Quality Improvement programmes are in place to address areas such as Falls Prevention, pressure area care, deteriorating patient, VTE and sepsis through advice, audit and education.
Providing formal and informal education regarding safer care
Attend Early learning Reviews and local learning Reviews after incidents to explore themes, trends and learning from incidents
Disseminate key learning from incidents through relevant trust meetings
Provide regular reports on prevention strategies and post incident reviews
Provide advice to clinical staff regarding the harm free care agenda
Ensure up to date evidence based policies are in place for Falls
Ensure that the National Audit of Inpatient Falls is completed
Support the delivery of NICE and other evidence based guidelines in the prevention of harm
Analyzing data sources such as Datix and Tendable to monitor the effectiveness of Quality Improvement initiatives.
With the Harm Free Care Nurse (WGH and SRH) contribute to the agenda for the monthly Harm Free Care meeting
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.
Are you a Registered Nurse with an interest and genuine motivation for quality improvement and patient safety?
Inclusive leadership, professional standards and accountability
1. Uphold and display the Trust values of Commitment, Care & Quality
2. Demonstrate compassionate, inclusive, visible and compassionate support to clinical teams in order to ensure high quality patient centred clinical care is delivered.
3. Ensure nursing practice reflects current clinical developments and is evidence based.
4. In conjunction with the Senior Nurse Leadership Team actively embed the Trust’s Nursing & Midwifery Strategy
5. Deputise for the Head of Nursing as required.
Governance, patient safety and quality
6. Be actively involved in relevant audits/risk managing.
7. Participate in shared governance forums to provide shared best practice and drive quality care provision within the Trust.
8. Co-ordinate relevant audit and monitoring data to assess standards of clinical care in relation to Harm Free Care
9. Create and lead forums of clinical champions and link nurses for Harm free care
10. Attend local post incident review meetings and support with learning from incidents and prevention of future harm
11. Ensure safeguarding practices and standards are followed, at all times.
12. Establish links and working arrangements with Divisions and the Corporate Quality and Safety Team to work in collaboration and share good practice.
13. Act as a point of contact for the clinical areas in relation to quality and safety matters
14. Support the Trust in meeting its Obligations in relation to contractual quality and safety standards.
15. Contribute to practice development by undertaking clinical audit, disseminating findings, negotiating appropriate action and supporting changes in practice
16. Provide advice to clinical staff regarding falls risk assessment and prevention
17. Attend Root Cause Analysis reviews after incidents to learning from incidents
18. Disseminate key learning from incidents through relevant trust meetings
19. Provide regular reports on prevention strategies and post incident reviews
20. Provide advice to clinical staff regarding pressure damage prevention
21. Ensure up to date evidence based policies are in place for Falls Prevention
22. Support the delivery of NICE and other evidence based guidelines in the prevention of harm
23. Actively participate in updating the National Audit for Inpatient Falls
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Person specification
Registered Nurse
Essential criteria
24. Registered Nurse
Desirable criteria
25. Evidence of ability to motivate and develop all teams of nursing staff across the divisions
Experience & Skills
Essential criteria
26. Evidence of organisational skills
27. Evidence of ability to influence, motivate and develop all teams of nursing staff across the divisions
28. Evidence of ability to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries
29. Proven track record of being able to prioritise workload
30. Evidence of excellent understanding of Trust policies and procedures and ability to translate these into action
31. Ability to disseminate to all grades of staff
32. Evidence of influencing or leading Quality Improvement initiatives
33. Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of experience
Desirable criteria
34. Certificate in Teaching and Assessing Clinical Practice (or equivalent) Mentorship Teaching qualification
35. Acute NHS Trust experience
36. Preparation for CQC inspections
37. Presenting complex reports at sub- board level groups and committees
Questions
Desirable criteria
38. Evidence of ability to motivate and develop all teams of nursing staff across the divisions
39. Evidence of ability to work across professional teams and organisational boundaries
40. Evidence of excellent understanding of Trust policies and procedures and ability to translate these into action
41. Evidence of excellent understanding of UHSussex Trust Nursing Strategy and ability to disseminate to all grades of staff
42. A sound understanding of National Nursing and Patient Agendas.
43. Clinically credible and competent with experience of standard-setting within a large organisation.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
44. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
45. 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