Job summary

This role combines the skills and experience of a health care assistant with administration skills, to provide high quality information gathering and on surgical site infections (SSI). They will support the Trust's SSI surveillance (SSIS) programme by collecting, validating and maintaining high-quality surveillance data in line with UKHSA and Trust requirements.

Working with a degree of autonomy under supervision, the post holder will be responsible for accurate and timely data collection across inpatient and post-discharge surveillance pathways on surgical site infections, supporting patient safety, quality improvement and statutory reporting.

The post holder will liaise with patients and staff to collect relevant information for submission to the UKHSA, ensuring information is collected and inputted accurately and attention to detail is always maintained. An element of patient facing ward-based working will be necessary as there is a key requirement to enter data from the start of the patient journey through to discharge from hospital.

Main duties of the job

You role will be to collect and manage SSIS data for eligible surgical procedures in line with Trust and national protocols, ensuring all relevant cases are captured with complete and accurate datasets. Work closely with patients, clinical staff, and colleagues to gather and validate information from multiple sources, including patient records and microbiology results. Maintain and update surveillance systems, support post-discharge monitoring, and identify potential infections, escalating concerns appropriately. Additionally, handle enquiries professionally while adhering to confidentiality and data protection standards.

About us

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals. As well as generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Job responsibilities

• Collect SSIS data for eligible surgical procedures in line with Trust and national surveillance protocols
• Work with patients and staff to ensure robust collection of information regarding surgical site infection
• Liaise closely with colleagues, both within and outside of the Trust, to facilitate prompt data collection
• Close working with the ward staff, ward Clerks and Clinics
• Answer telephone enquiries in a professional manner
• Enter, update and maintain accurate surveillance data on the UKHSA SSIS system and Trust databases
• Extract and interpret information from electronic patient records, theatre systems, clinic letters, discharge summaries and microbiology results
• Undertake postdischarge surveillance activities
• Identify potential surgical site infections and escalate to the SSIS Coordinator or IPC team
• Undertake routine data validation and completeness checks

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential: Evidence of basic IT training or experience, willingness to undertake Trust and UKHSA SSIS training, good general education. Desirable: NVQ level 3 or equivalent relevant experience.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential: Ability to interpret clinical documentation and electronic patient records, good organisational skills, competent IT skills including use of databases, spread sheets and electronic records systems.

Clinical/Experience

Essential: Experience of working in an NHS or healthcare environment in a clinical capacity, experience of data collection, data entry or administrative work.

Personal Attributes

Essential: Methodical and well organised approach to work, willingness to learn and develop new skills, ability to work as part of a team, willingness to work across both hospital sites.

Employer details

Employer name: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]
Address: Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals, Gloucester, GL1 3NN
Employer's website: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact: Katherine Pitts, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in IPC, [contact hidden], [contact hidden]