Infection Prevention Practitioner (XR06)

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Fulfil the requirements as directed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council/ Health and Care professionals council (HCPC) to maintain and revalidate registration.

Clinical Governance/Audit/Research

Participates in infection control audit and surveillance programme, under the guidance of the Infection Control Team

Assists in the collection of relevant statistical information

Contributes to the review, development and implementation of policies for a defined area

Provides advice on decontamination process that provide safety to patients which does not reduce the equipment integrity

Support the implementation of agreed policies

Understands of the impact of service changes beyond their own area of activity

Understands the financial implication of infection control advice or recommendation

Ensures infection control practice is evidence based

Assists in the contribution to local and national infection control research. Assesses the impact of new research and guidance and acting upon this.

Clinical

Commitment to work flexibly over a 7-day week

Has an advisory role and clinical input into the care relevant to the patient by supporting the clinical areas

Assesses, plans and communicates actions required by clinical staff for safe infection control patient care

Provides infection control advice to all disciplines and grades of staff, patients and their carers maintaining positive professional relationships

Advises on isolation techniques and assists with the participation in their introduction and practice

Ability to interpret and explain laboratory reports relevant to infection control to ward staff. Relates relevant clinical information to the laboratory staff

Assists in the investigation of outbreaks of infection with particular reference to their source and mode of spread

Assists in the collection of relevant clinical data for use by the Infection Control Team, including surveillance data

Demonstrate an awareness of the complex needs of different client groups when imparting or receiving sensitive, complex or contentious information within a hostile or highly emotive atmosphere

Able to cope with staff, patients and carers in distressing or emotional circumstances

Due to the nature of the job, needs to be flexible, coping with frequent unpredictable changes within daily workload, for example attending Root Cause Analysis and investigating Health care Associated Investigations

Undertakes duties on wards and or departments as and when required by service demands or patient needs

Acts in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults at all times. Is familiar with and adheres to the LTHT safeguarding policies

Administrative

Be an active member of the Trust Infection Control Team and relevant Infection Control Committees

Contributes to a range of reporting mechanisms, including the annual Infection Control Team report and national standards (i.e. Controls Assurance and HCAI)

Developing keyboard and database skills to facilitate documentation and information gathering

Maintains and updates records, documenting infection prevention and control advice relating to patient care in accordance to NMC/ HCPC and LTHT guidelines whether written or computerised

Facilitates the exchange of information on infection prevention and control between the NHS and other agencies

Demonstrates an ability to plan work in accordance with the needs of the service, whilst recognising the need and implementing multi-disciplinary involvement when appropriate

Assists in the identification of service deficiencies and resources for their improvement

Educational

Works in collaboration with staff to implement infection control best practice

Assists and participates in the planning, organisation and presentation of the education strategy for all disciplines of staff, relating to the prevention and control of healthcare associated infection

Responsible for the delivery of the formal and informal specialist infection prevention and control education of all disciplines of staff on a range of subjects

Assist in the evaluation and introduction of new methods and practices in relation to the prevention and control of infection

Contribute to the education and support of the infection control key worker professional network

Participates in the mentoring and supervision of learners where allocated to the IPC service

Professional

Works effectively as an autonomous practitioner supported by the Infection Control Team to meet agreed targets and objectives

Participates in annual appraisal;

Completes mandatory and priority training within appointed time periods

Demonstrate responsibility for professional growth by seeking personal education advancement i.e. fulfils the statutory obligations to maintain registration in line with the NMC/ HCPC for education and practice

Responsible for specialist professional development within the wide remit of infection prevention and control under the supervision and support of the Infection Control Team

Maintains accountability for judgement and action

Promotes mutual respect among colleagues, acting in a professional manner

Raises concerns with regards risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by following the LTHT Whistleblowing Policy and supporting processes

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse/ Allied Healthcare Professional
• Recognised teaching & assessing qualification (Knowledge of Infection Control
• Degree

Desirable

• Post-Registration qualification in related subject

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience at Band 5
• Evidence of effective teamwork
• Knowledge of research epidemiology and surveillance
• Motivational
• Ability to influence decisions

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Works in a logical and/or methodical manner
• Change management skills
• Effective time management
• Able to work in differing environments

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Team player with ability to work alone
• Able to develop alliances and partnerships
• Innovative
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Motivational

Desirable

• Managerial skills
• Able to understand the organizational structure

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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