Job overview
Sepsis Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Whittington Health
Are you an experienced registered nurse with a passion for improving outcomes for deteriorating patients? Do you have the clinical credibility, leadership skills, and drive to advance sepsis care across an organisation?
Whittington Health is seeking a Sepsis Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) to lead, develop, and strengthen our Trust-wide sepsis programme in collaboration with the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) and multidisciplinary colleagues.
This is a 0.5 WTE post (18.75 hours per week). The postholder will be expected to undertake this role alongside an acute clinical role.
About the Role
This is a highly visible, Trust-wide clinical leadership role focused on improving the recognition, assessment, and timely management of patients with sepsis within the broader context of the deteriorating patient.
You will combine expert clinical practice with education, audit, and policy development to ensure evidence-based standards of care are embedded across all services. Acting as a role model and expert resource, you will be accessible to staff across all disciplines, promoting a culture of early recognition, escalation, and effective intervention.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
1. Provide expert clinical leadership in sepsis care across the Trust
2. Work alongside CCOT and ward teams to support the identification and management of septic patients
3. Lead on the development, implementation, and review of sepsis policies and pathways in line with best evidence
4. Design and deliver high-quality sepsis education and training for staff at all levels
5. Lead audit and quality improvement work to monitor and enhance sepsis care delivery
6. Support staff to understand the physiological impact of sepsis, recognise deterioration, and confidently interpret Early Warning Scores
7. Promote best practice in oxygen therapy, fluid management, and timely escalation of care
8. Address system and cultural barriers that can delay timely treatment, including communication challenges and gaps in clinical supervision
9. Act as a visible clinical expert and professional role model across the organisation
Working for our organisation
Whittington values
Our values underpin everything we do. Our staff are committed to delivering the following values in everything they do.
Our ICARE values have been created by our staff and are embedded in our appraisal and planning processes and form part of our staff excellence awards.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Post Summery
The Sepsis Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is a Trust-wide role providing clinical leadership, education, and audit to improve outcomes for patients with sepsis, within the broader context of recognising and managing the deteriorating patient.
The post focuses on raising awareness, promoting early recognition, and ensuring timely assessment and intervention through the development of policy, delivery of clinical education, and provision of direct clinical support.
This position is suited to a highly experienced registered nurse who will work in close collaboration with the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT). The post holder will be a clinically based expert practitioner, strengthening and advancing the Trust’s sepsis programme for patients and service users across Whittington Health.
The post holder will be responsible for leading, alongside expert clinical colleagues, on the sepsis program. This will involve ensuring policy reflects evidenced best practice, the care of septic patients is monitored through audit and sepsis education for staff is delivered.
Acting as a visible and professional role model, the successful applicant will be accessible to all staff groups and work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team to deliver expert care. The role also involves developing personal expertise while promoting and supporting the knowledge and skills of others in sepsis management.
The CNS will empower staff to understand the physiological disturbances associated with sepsis, recognise signs of clinical deterioration, and enhance competence in interpreting Early Warning Scores, administering oxygen therapy, and managing fluid balance.
The post holder will also work with colleagues to address wider factors that can delay appropriate and timely care, including communication challenges between professional groups, reluctance to seek advice, and gaps in clinical supervision for staff in training.
Main duties
Clinical Practice
10. Act as the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for sepsis, promoting high-quality, evidence-based care in line with national standards and best practice.
11. Work collaboratively with clinical teams to identify, assess, and manage patients with sepsis, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions.
12. Provide expert clinical advice, support, and bedside teaching to staff caring for patients with sepsis.
13. Prescribe medications and intravenous fluids within scope of practice, competence, and experience.
14. Work in accordance with the NMC Code and relevant professional guidelines in the delivery of care.
Policy and Pathway Development
15. Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop, review, and maintain evidence-based guidelines, pathways, and standards for the care of patients with sepsis.
16. Present evidence-based guidelines, pathways, and standards to appropriate trust committees.
17. Support the dissemination and implementation of local policies across the Trust.
Education and Training
18. Develop and deliver a skills-based education programme focused on the early identification and management of sepsis within the wider context of the deteriorating patient.
19. Provide both informal bedside teaching and formal ward-based and induction training, including simulation where appropriate.
20. Work with nursing, HCSW, AHP, and medical educators to ensure consistent delivery of sepsis education across the Trust.
21. Develop educational materials and information resources for staff and patients.
22. Support the organisation and coordination of sepsis training sessions across the Trust.
23. Orientate, educate, and support new members of the sepsis team, including resident doctors.
24. Maintain own professional development and clinical expertise.
Audit, Quality Improvement, and Research
25. Design, participate in, and evaluate audits of sepsis care delivery.
26. Analyse data to identify areas of good practice and areas for improvement.
27. Produce reports for governance and contribute to the dissemination of findings across the Trust.
28. Lead or support Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs) aimed at improving sepsis care.
29. Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to support and develop research initiatives.
30. Work with CCOT leads, ward managers, and practice development nurses to identify risks, training needs, and areas for improvement.
Professional Practice
31. Be accountable for the extended role in accordance with the NMC Code and Standards of Proficiency for Nurse and Midwife Prescribers.
32. Ensure care is delivered in line with Trust policies, protocols, and agreed standards.
33. Participate in regular clinical supervision, reflective practice, mandatory training, and ongoing professional development.
34. Maintain a professional profile and meet PREP requirements.
35. Participate in individual performance review with line management.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
36. Extensive relevant post registration experience in an acute nursing speciality at band 6 or above
37. Experience of informal and formal teaching
38. Up to date knowledge of evidence-based guidelines and policies
39. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
Desirable criteria
40. Experience in Critical Care Outreach Nursing
41. Knowledge and experience of Quality Improvement
Education and qualifications
Essential criteria
42. Registered Nurse
43. Critical Care Course (60 credits at BSc/MSC) or equivalent acute care course relevant to role.
44. Clinical Reasoning in advanced physical assessment
45. ALS Provider (or willing to undertake)
Desirable criteria
46. ALS Instructor
Skills and abilities
Essential criteria
47. Advanced knowledge in acute nursing
48. Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels
49. Computer literate and knowledge of databases
50. Up to date knowledge of evidence-based guidelines and policies
Desirable criteria
51. Knowledge and experience in successfully leading change
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS
To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:
52. Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
53. Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
54. Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
55. Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
56. Participate in required training and supervision.
57. Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct
Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.