Job overview
We are seeking an experienced surgical nurse with an interest in elective colorectal surgery and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS).
The successful candidate will have recent experience of working and teaching at a senior level within a surgical ward. We are looking for somebody with a passion for improving elective surgical services, with clinical leadership skills and an ongoing interest in education and research
Main duties of the job
To facilitate and maintain the Enhanced Recovery Programme for elective colorectal surgery at Worthing Hospital.
To work as an autonomous practitioner within the colorectal team, effectively co-ordinating the care for Enhanced Recovery patients.
To provide training and support for clinical staff involved in the care of patients on the Colorectal Enhanced Recovery Programme.
To work closely with the stoma nurse team and the opportunity to develop stoma nursing competencies in order to work collaboratively and fluidly to provide expert care to our colorectal patient group.
To work in collaboration with the clinical leads: Enhanced Recovery nurse practitioner and Consultant Colorectal Surgeons, matrons, ward teams and wider multidisciplinary team to maintain and develop evidence-based practice and Enhanced Recovery protocols.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. 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 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Work in collaboration with the Enhanced Recovery Nurse Practitioner, Consultant Colorectal Surgeons, Head of Nursing for Surgery, Matrons and wider multidisciplinary team to facilitate the provision of high-quality care and a streamlined service for all patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery within the Enhanced Recovery Programme.
· Ensure that clinical practice is patient centred, evidence based and delivered within the scope of the NMC Code of Professional Conduct, Trust Policies and Guidelines.
· Establish and maintain effective communication with patients and their relatives/carers including at times of breaking bad news.
· Act as an expert resource and communication point for patients, relatives and staff, providing support and guidance.
· Ensure that a supportive teaching and learning environment is in place.
· Ensure high levels of patient satisfaction are achieved and that patient feedback is monitored to further enhance and respond to patient experiences.
· Continually monitor effectiveness of the Programme, taking a leading role in adjustments and improvements to further develop the pathway.
· In conjunction with the Clinical Lead, Head of Nursing for Surgery, Matrons and relevant clinical health care professionals, assist in the development of policies, protocols and procedures necessary to support practice.
· As part of the pathway, ensure effective discharge planning commences at the start of the patient journey, involving the multidisciplinary team as necessary.
· Be a proactive role model in ensuring the patient pathway is optimised and timely discharge is promoted.
· Contribute to delivering relevant health promotion and disease prevention education to patients.
· Act as a role model by working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and supportive capacity whilst maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility.
· Promote patient engagement with the Enhanced Recovery protocol, ensuring that the needs of the patient are always at the centre of their pathway of care.
· Ensure that any safeguarding issues are raised appropriately in accordance with Trust policy, to enable investigation in relation to vulnerable adults or children.
· Provide patients with information and preoperative counselling regarding perioperative management.
· Offer an advisory service to patients immediately following discharge.
1. To work closely with the stoma nurse team and the opportunity to develop stoma nursing competencies in order to work collaboratively and fluidly to provide expert care to our colorectal patient group.
· To take responsibility for maintaining individual professional registration requirements.
· To maintain own level of competence for relevant clinical practice procedures and update knowledge as required. To promote and maintain effective working relationships and communication with all health professionals involved in the patient pathway.
· Act as the patient’s advocate through effective support and information, enabling them to make informed choices and decisions concerning treatment.
· document and report all care provision and changes to a patient’s condition in accordance with NMC Documentation Standards.
· Act as a role model within the clinical area.
· Adhere to the Trust values in all working relationships to patients, carers and staff.
· Teach and facilitate learning opportunities to nursing staff, other multidisciplinary team members and medical staff.
· Demonstrate good leadership skills and ensure that communication is effective between the patient, relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team, and ensure appropriate nursing input into patient care discussions.
· Ensure communication is used effectively in the interests of patient care, including the use of handover and clinical incident reporting if necessary.
· Demonstrate politeness, courtesy and sensitivity in dealing with patients/clients, visitors/relatives and colleagues, maintaining good customer relations and recognising individuality and rights for each patient in line with Trust Values.
· Promote inclusivity and diversity within your role.
· Participate in the setting of standards for nursing practice and for care involving the multidisciplinary team.
· Understand local audit processes and take opportunities to initiate local audit and participate in Trust audits locally.
· To maintain stock control and order specialist supplies within current resources.
· To be forward looking and promptly escalate to manager any staffing issues or other resource issues which may impact on staff or patient care and safety.
· To keep updated with current research in Enhanced Recovery.
· Work in collaboration with the Matron in the development of the service in relation to national initiatives such as Care Quality Commission Standards and NICE guidelines.
· Assist in entering and updating patient information into the Trust IT systems.
· Be aware of budgetary implications when implementing care and treatments, ensuring that they are in the patient’s best interest.
· To contribute to a healthy and safe working environment by adhering to health and safety regulations and Trust policies.
· To fully participate in the Trust’s appraisal system review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
· Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with line manager as part of the personal development planning process.
· To undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager which are commensurate with the role, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
· Fulfil all NMC and Trust requirements for training, update and continuous professional development.
· Assist and participate in developing and delivering training for other healthcare professionals.
· To be responsible for own professional development and identify areas of learning reflecting Trust priorities. To adhere to professional code of practice, have an innovative approach, challenge where appropriate.
· To act as a positive role model for health professionals and act as an ambassador for the surgical division.
· Provide professional leadership within the programme to ensure that all staff use evidence based practice and adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
· Address complaints proactively to minimise the distress to the individual concerned.
· To support local and national networking at a strategic level, that reviews and validates standards of practice, innovation and quality of care provided to patients in the Enhanced Recovery Programme.
· Record any incidents or undue occurrences reported to you or witnessed by you in line with the Trust Policy using the Datix system
· Assist in the development of audit tools to assess both quantitative and qualitative outcomes for Enhanced Recovery service users.
· Be responsible for maintaining the Enhanced Recovery database for Colorectal Surgery
· Facilitate the teaching and education of the nurses involved in the delivery of the programme to enable competency and confidence.
· Undertake audits of the Colorectal Surgery Enhanced Recovery Programme.
· Contribute to Colorectal Surgery Enhanced Recovery research projects.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
Person specification
Professional and Clinical Skills
Essential criteria
2. RN Level 1 PS/PA (or equivalent) Degree In Nursing Colorectal module
3. Substantial post registration experience. I Experience in relevant specialty. Senior nursing experience in colorectal surgery. Experience of undertaking audit, research and evidence-based practice. Specialty specific perioperative care
4. Excellent interpersonal skills both verbal and written. Proven track record of leading a team. Ability to participate in and implement the development of nursing practice. People management skills Facilitation skills
5. Ability to prioritise own workload. Ability to work autonomously. Ability to work under pressure and with interruptions. Ability to deal with complex situations.
6. Able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust values
Desirable criteria
7. Independent prescriber Physical Assessment module Stoma siting
8. Level 7 modules Willingness to work towards MSc in Advanced Practice
9. Advanced Communication Skills (or willing to undertake)
10. Conflict management and negotiation skills Participated in service development and implementation of change
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
11. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
12. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
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