Infection prevention and Control Audit Assistant

Job summary

Six Month Secondment for a Band 3 in Infection Prevention & Control

An exciting development opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC).

This is a unique opening for an experienced healthcare support worker who is seeking to add administrative duties to their skillset, or equally for a suitably experienced administrator wishing to undertake some clinical healthcare support duties.

The role of the IPC service is to work collaboratively across Gateshead Hospital to develop and maintain strategies for the surveillance, prevention and control of infection. This involves working with both clinical and non-clinical services to develop and improve standards, ultimately improving the quality of care that patients receive at Gateshead supporting the reduction in HealthCare Associated Infections.

Working as an integral member of the IPC team, the successful applicant will assist programmes of surveillance and audit, in order to allow the team to monitor performance and compliance of Infection Control.

Excellent organisational and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to play close attention to detail.

Main duties of the job

Assist with infection prevention and control audits and workstreams as required

• Regular completion of formal observations of PPE, ventilation, and equipment cleanliness to identify lapses in best practice standards (using local audit tool)

• Collecting patient and staff feedback on their experience and observations

• Where lapses in IPC best practice are identified, support staff, visitors, and patients in understanding and reducing risks associated with breaches.

• Help ensure good ventilation on wards/depts.

• Support Fit testing team as required to conduct fit testing for clinical staff

• Champion mask fit testing by working with direction as required alongside front-line staff to ensure compliance with respiratory protective equipment and PPE

• To undertake periodic monitoring of respiratory protective equipment usage to ensure its effectiveness and user compliance

• Ensure non- compliance and adverse events are reported via the correct system and channels

• Ensure training records are maintained to a high standard on the agreed staff record, and that they are logged within reasonable timescales

• Ensure appropriate rooms and suitable environments are booked for training requirements to enable optimum service provision

About us

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.