Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Infection Prevention and Control Specialist Practitioner

The closing date is 26 August 2025

Job summary

This Band 5/6 development post guarantees development opportunities and support to enable Band 6 (Specialist Practitioner) readiness within a timeframe right for the post holder, based on previous experience and achievement of competencies. The position is open to new graduates with interest in infection prevention and control and had clinical experience through placements, volunteerism or non-registered staff job roles. Full support will be given to complete preceptorship and required competencies. Applicants with relevant existing experience will be appointed to a band 6 post.

The post holder will be responsible for the development and delivery of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) service in line with local and national policy to meet the needs acute (Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust), and community (Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust) Trusts.Providing clinical advice and knowledge about the prevention, management, monitoring and control of infection to staff.

The post holder will be an experienced practitioner with minimum of 2 years relevant clinical experience within their own specialty or professional practice or have at least 2 years work experience in a clinical setting if undertaking developmental role, who uses specialist knowledge and skills to support theprevention, management, monitoring and control of infection to Trust staff.

Main duties of the job

Undertake relevant clinical assessment, reviewing clinical signs and results to support the patient's treatment plan as required.

Produce accurate and complete documentation and patient records consistent with legislation, policies and procedures

Act as a resource for staff advising on local, Trust and national policy, procedures and guidelines in relation to IPC ensuring patient safety and clinical governance.

Support staff development in IPC in order to maximise potential, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice.

Develop and contribute to local IPC guidelines, interpreting and adapting national protocols and standards to enhance patient care and safety.

Sensitively challenge inappropriate practice and poor compliance to Infection Prevention and Control policy.

Deputise for the IPC Lead Nurse and/or Senior Specialist Practitioners in their absence.

Teach and support the development of education in all aspects of IPC in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.

Deliver IPC Mandatory training, Corporate Induction, and IPC training .

Develop IPC Link Practitioners to a defined level of clinical skill in order to support and educate colleagues in infection prevention and control.

Design, co-ordinate and regularly undertake audit, research and development activities providing written feedback where appropriate.

See the attached full job description for complete information on the main duties of the job.

About us

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We serve a population of around 500,000 people - a figure that can increase significantly with

visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £580 million.

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is a research active organisation.

It's established South West Clinical School in Cornwall exists to promote clinical academic career opportunities for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals interested in research and evidence-based activities. Read their research paper to find out more.

Website: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/clinical-schools/royal-cornwall-hospitals-nhs-trust-clinical-school

https://doi.org/10.1177/17449871231209037

Date posted

06 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

Depending on experience Band 5 or Band 6 AFC depending on qualification and experience.

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

13 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

156-7385072

Job locations

Royal Cornwall Hospital

Truro

TR1 3LJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

Identity Checks

Professional registration and qualification checks

Employment history and reference checks

Occupational Health clearance

Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check

Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Job description

Job responsibilities

PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

Identity Checks

Professional registration and qualification checks

Employment history and reference checks

Occupational Health clearance

Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check

Right to work in the UK

For further information please visit:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.

Person Specification

Professional Qualification and Experience

Essential

NMC or HPC registration
At least 2 years clinical experience in professional practice or 2 years' experience in clinical setting.
Basic computer skills
Able to work across CFT and RCHT. Therefore able to drive with UK full driver's license.

Desirable

University qualification or training in Infection Prevention and Control
Teaching/assessment/mentoring qualification
Completed their preceptorship.
Experience as IPAC practitioner, IPAC Link Practitioner or had student placement in IPC.
Audit or research experience
Teaching and education experience

Additional criteria

Essential

Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

Willingness to undertake training as required including preceptorship programme if in the development role.

Person Specification

Professional Qualification and Experience

Essential

NMC or HPC registration
At least 2 years clinical experience in professional practice or 2 years' experience in clinical setting.
Basic computer skills
Able to work across CFT and RCHT. Therefore able to drive with UK full driver's license.

Desirable

University qualification or training in Infection Prevention and Control
Teaching/assessment/mentoring qualification
Completed their preceptorship.
Experience as IPAC practitioner, IPAC Link Practitioner or had student placement in IPC.
Audit or research experience
Teaching and education experience

Additional criteria

Essential

Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

Willingness to undertake training as required including preceptorship programme if in the development role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital

Truro

TR1 3LJ

Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address

Royal Cornwall Hospital

Truro

TR1 3LJ

Employer's website

https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)