Job summary
The Band 5 Infection Prevention and Control Surveillance Nurse plays a vital role in supporting the Trust's commitment to preventing and reducing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).
Working as part of the Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT), the post holder will work to provide expert advice, education, and visible leadership across clinical and non-clinical areas promoting best practice in the prevention of hospital acquired infection including surgical site surveillance. This role will involve conducting clinical review, surveillance, clinical audit, and staff education. This role will be responsible for collecting, analysing, and presenting SSI data, conducting patient follow-ups, and producing regular reports to inform service improvement and enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes.
Acting as a key link between the IPCT, surgical teams, and other stakeholders, the post holder will ensure timely escalation of concerns, contribute to post-infection reviews, and support the implementation of action plans to reduce infection risks. They will actively participate in Trust-wide IPC audits and initiatives, helping to embed a culture of continuous improvement and high standards of infection prevention across the organisation.
You will be expected to work independently/autonomously and at times without direct supervision, accountable for your own professional working.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for carrying out surveillance of infections within the clinical areas, follow up of patients on surveillance according to current evidence-based nursing assessment, care planning, implementation, interventions and evaluations for patients is provided from admission through to discharge, transfer.
Gather surveillance data (including Surgical Site Infection Surveillance) as required by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) where you will ensure data is correctly validated and transcribed before being entered onto the DCS (Data Capture System).
In liaison with senior members of the team; advises staff on robust cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation techniques for specialised equipment in relationship to the care of infected patients.
Working with the IPC team and Surgical teams to develop a planned programme of surgical site surveillance (SSI) for hip and knee surgery and also for colorectal procedures. You will oversee the collection of, analysis and submission of data this includes pre and post surgery discharge questionnaires.
Deliver ward-based education training programmes to enhance the understanding and knowledge of IPC practice within the clinical areas.
Attend and participate in ward meetings, huddles during periods of increased incidence and help promote new ideas and methods and assist in their implementation of safe clean care.
About us
Here at Medway, we pride ourselves on working together as one to ensure that our shared visionis achieved for our patients.
Our culture and values define us here at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and are the heartbeat of who we are as an organisation.
OurBESTvalues underpinPatient Firstand are at the core of the care we give to our patients, the support we offer to our staff and our overall leadership approach:
B - Bold
E - Every person counts
S - Sharing and open
T - Together
Our Trust is a great choice for people who want to develop their career in an ambitious and dynamic environment; our employees are able to choose the coverage and supplemental benefits that best fit their needs and those of their families. This includes the promotion of flexible working opportunities across the Trust.
The Infection Prevention and Control team here at Medway Foundation Trust are a multicultural, dynamic team who support growth, learning and support career progression.
As a team we have lead on a number of projects and are a flagship team for Students and Link Practitioners.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working as part of the Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT), the post holder will work to provide expert advice, education, and visible leadership across clinical and non-clinical areas promoting best practice in the prevention of hospital acquired infection including surgical site surveillance. This role will involve conducting clinical review, surveillance, clinical audit, and staff education. This role will be responsible for collecting, analysing, and presenting SSI data, conducting patient follow-ups, and producing regular reports to inform service improvement and enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes.
Acting as a key link between the IPCT, surgical teams, and other stakeholders, the post holder will ensure timely escalation of concerns, contribute to post-infection reviews, and support the implementation of action plans to reduce infection risks. They will actively participate in Trust-wide IPC audits and initiatives, helping to embed a culture of continuous improvement and high standards of infection prevention across the organisation.
Develop skills in relation to coaching and teaching patients, carers and other staff, and assist in the delivery of educational programmes, including simulation sessions and adhoc staff training.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working as part of the Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT), the post holder will work to provide expert advice, education, and visible leadership across clinical and non-clinical areas promoting best practice in the prevention of hospital acquired infection including surgical site surveillance. This role will involve conducting clinical review, surveillance, clinical audit, and staff education. This role will be responsible for collecting, analysing, and presenting SSI data, conducting patient follow-ups, and producing regular reports to inform service improvement and enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes.
Acting as a key link between the IPCT, surgical teams, and other stakeholders, the post holder will ensure timely escalation of concerns, contribute to post-infection reviews, and support the implementation of action plans to reduce infection risks. They will actively participate in Trust-wide IPC audits and initiatives, helping to embed a culture of continuous improvement and high standards of infection prevention across the organisation.
Develop skills in relation to coaching and teaching patients, carers and other staff, and assist in the delivery of educational programmes, including simulation sessions and adhoc staff training.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse RN1/RN2/RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register
- Evidence of continuing professional development - to hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality
Desirable
- The candidate has a mentorship qualification, and a module in IPC at a recognised university.
- The candidate has completed a short course on surveillance via a University or via the UKHSA.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the IPC Surveillance Nurse in context of the nursing and interdisciplinary team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Previous IPC knowledge / course
Desirable
- Knowledge of up to date professional and NHS issues
Experience
Essential
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate.
- Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information.
- Experience of working in teams under appropriate supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable
- Experience of working in infection prevention and control or as a link practitioner for IPC with special interest, and demonstration of knowledge in IPC
Skills
Essential
- Computer literate.
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities.
- Ability to organise, prioritise own delegated workload, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to develop effective and appropriate relationships with internal and external stake holders.
- Ability to support, supervise, assess and act as a role model to nursing associate students, other learners and health care support workers as required within the clinical setting.
- Able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care.
- Able to provide advise on infections to staff, seek support on unusual or uncommon organisms found on screening & diagnostics.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse RN1/RN2/RN12 or RN Child Registered Nurse on the NMC register
- Evidence of continuing professional development - to hold the appropriate level for the area of speciality
Desirable
- The candidate has a mentorship qualification, and a module in IPC at a recognised university.
- The candidate has completed a short course on surveillance via a University or via the UKHSA.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the IPC Surveillance Nurse in context of the nursing and interdisciplinary team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Previous IPC knowledge / course
Desirable
- Knowledge of up to date professional and NHS issues
Experience
Essential
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate.
- Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information.
- Experience of working in teams under appropriate supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable
- Experience of working in infection prevention and control or as a link practitioner for IPC with special interest, and demonstration of knowledge in IPC
Skills
Essential
- Computer literate.
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities.
- Ability to organise, prioritise own delegated workload, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to develop effective and appropriate relationships with internal and external stake holders.
- Ability to support, supervise, assess and act as a role model to nursing associate students, other learners and health care support workers as required within the clinical setting.
- Able to assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care.
- Able to provide advise on infections to staff, seek support on unusual or uncommon organisms found on screening & diagnostics.
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.
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
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.
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).
