Sr/Staff Nurse

JOB SUMMARY

A pilot surveillance programme focused on Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) will be established in Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Its purpose is to determine the burden of SARI requiring hospitalisation, demographic trends in this patient population, outcomes and the proportion of admissions that may be vaccine preventable.

The SARI Nurse Coordinator is responsible for the clinical coordination and management of patients with severe acute respiratory infections, overseeing their journey from admission through discharge. They serve as the central liaison between the interdisciplinary medical team, infection control department, and the patient's family, ensuring rapid triaging, strict isolation protocols, evidence-based respiratory care, and robust surveillance and case management efforts within the healthcare facility. The SARI Nurse Coordinator will also support and ensure the proper conduct and seamless implementation of all surveillance activities under the SARI programme, including identification and recruitment of patients, obtaining informed consent, collection and coordination of specimens for testing, and supporting data collection activities.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Programme Coordinator

• Coordinate and support the implementation and daily operations of the SARI surveillance programme
• Assist in ongoing review and evaluation of the SARI surveillance programme, ensuring smooth operations and realization of programme objectives

2.    Screening and Recruitment of Patients

• Assist with screening inpatients for inclusion and recruitment into the SARI surveillance programme
• Obtain informed consent from patients identified for recruitment into the programme
• Obtain microbiological samples from recruited patients (e.g. nasopharyngeal swabs) as required by the programme
• Coordinate specimen collection and transfer according to institutional and programme protocols, working closely with relevant campus stakeholders

3.    Surveillance and Data Collection

• Perform symptom and disease surveillance, collecting and managing data via designated surveillance systems
• Work with SARI data coordinator to ensure clinical and surveillance data is accurate, comprehensive, and up to date

4.    Clinical Respiratory Care & Assessment

• Monitor patients closely for signs of rapid respiratory deterioration, tracking vital signs and utilising tools such as Early Warning Scores
• Promptly identify respiratory failure or sepsis to facilitate swift escalation to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) when necessary

5.    Care Coordination & Case Management

• Coordinate the internal movement of SARI patients (e.g., from Emergency Department to isolation wards or ICU) to minimise hospital cross-contamination
• Lead daily multidisciplinary rounds involving pulmonologists, infectious disease specialists, and respiratory therapists to synchronise treatment plans
• Organise seamless transitions of care, follow-up appointments, and post-viral recovery tracking

6.    Infection Prevention & Control Oversight

• Ensure strict adherence to transmission-based precautions (airborne/droplet/contact) and the correct usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Coordinate the placement and cohorting of suspected or confirmed SARI cases in negative-pressure or designated isolation rooms
• Collect clinical data, track infection trends, and report mandatory epidemiological data to public health authorities and internal committees

7.    Staff Leadership & Education

• Conduct competency training on respiratory equipment, sample collection (e.g., nasopharyngeal swabs), and isolation workflows for junior nursing staff
• Translate complex medical information into understandable terms for patients and families, providing reassurance and guidance on isolation requirements

GENERAL

• Conduct surveillance activities (e.g., screening, recruitment, specimen collection, follow-up) in compliance with programme workflows, regulatory and ethical standards, and hospital policies
• Respect and protect patients' rights and confidentiality at all times
• Assist in programme-related correspondence and documentation to facilitate smooth implementation
• Work alongside the Data Entry Coordinator to ensure timely submission of accurate data collected as part of the programme
• Ensure adequate supplies of required consumables
• Perform additional duties as assigned by HoD and Supervisor

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

• Minimum Diploma in Nursing with 2 years’ relevant clinical practice as a Registered Nurse
• Valid Registered Nurse practicing license with Singapore Nursing Board
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certified

EXPERIENCE

• Strong communication, coordination, and organisational skills, including written and spoken English
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds
• Critical thinking abilities, with capacity for both independent and team-based work
• Proficiency in MS Office applications
• Familiarity with clinical systems such as EPIC is preferred
• Applicants must have high integrity, a strong commitment to confidentiality, and a proactive eagerness to learn and take initiative