Job summary
The Lead Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) provides senior clinical leadership for IPC across the organisation, ensuring safe, evidence-based practice in all mental health inpatient, community, and specialist settings. The role leads the development and delivery of IPC strategies, ensures compliance with national guidance and Trust policies, and oversees the organisation's response to outbreaks, clusters, and emerging infection risks.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder ensures compliance with the IPC Board Assurance Framework and with all other relevant national and local IPC standards, guidance, and regulatory requirements, maintaining robust systems that reflect current best practice across mental health services.
The post-holder works collaboratively with teams to build capability and confidence in championing IPC, empowering staff to take ownership of safe practice and embed high standards across all mental health settings.
The post-holder acts as the Trust's expert resource for IPC, maintaining up-to-date specialist knowledge, including challenges specific to mental health environments such as therapeutic activities, environmental constraints, and patient engagement barriers. They work collaboratively with Divisional, Locality, and corporate teams to embed IPC principles into everyday practice and influence senior leaders, matrons, ward managers, and community teams to drive a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
The Lead Nurse interprets and implements the National IPC Manual within mental health contexts, translating guidance into practical, proportionate approaches that support therapeutic care while meeting statutory and regulatory requirements. They ensure the IPC team delivers a high-performing service, including surveillance, audit, training, data analysis, and targeted improvement actions.
Full details can be found in the attached Job Description.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire, and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
AWP is committed to supporting and creating a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
Act as the Trusts expert resource for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), providing specialist clinical advice and supporting multiprofessional teams in complex decisionmaking. They will work alongside teams to strengthen their skills, confidence, and ownership of IPC, enabling staff to model safe behaviours, embed good practice in routine care, and act as local champions for infection prevention across all settings.
-
Communicate effectively at all levels, offering clear guidance on IPC risks, incidents, and required actions.
-
Lead the investigation, management, documentation, and reporting of outbreaks, seeking additional specialist input when required. Participate in the investigation of mandatory reportable and other significant infections with relevant clinical teams. Seek, interpret, and apply microbiological data to inform clinical decisions, assess patient risk, and advise on appropriate control measures.
-
Assess clinical environments, patient factors, staff practices, and visitor interactions to evaluate the risk of transmission and recommend proportionate, evidencebased interventions. Distinguish modes of transmission and advise on appropriate control strategies tailored to mental health settings, where therapeutic activities and environmental constraints may influence IPC practice.
-
Promote a learning culture and encourage innovation in IPC across the Trust. Provide leadership, professional development, and performance management for the IPC team. Work with Learning and Development colleagues to design, oversee, and deliver IPC training, including bespoke programmes for unregistered practitioners.
-
Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of IPC policies, procedures, guidelines, and audit schedules, ensuring alignment with national, local, and professional standards. Monitor adherence and take action to support improvement or escalate concerns. Maintain effective systems for the prevention, investigation, control, and surveillance of infections across all services
- The post holder will be responsible for a number of duties regarding IPC within clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.
Full details can be found in the attached Job Description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
Act as the Trusts expert resource for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), providing specialist clinical advice and supporting multiprofessional teams in complex decisionmaking. They will work alongside teams to strengthen their skills, confidence, and ownership of IPC, enabling staff to model safe behaviours, embed good practice in routine care, and act as local champions for infection prevention across all settings.
-
Communicate effectively at all levels, offering clear guidance on IPC risks, incidents, and required actions.
-
Lead the investigation, management, documentation, and reporting of outbreaks, seeking additional specialist input when required. Participate in the investigation of mandatory reportable and other significant infections with relevant clinical teams. Seek, interpret, and apply microbiological data to inform clinical decisions, assess patient risk, and advise on appropriate control measures.
-
Assess clinical environments, patient factors, staff practices, and visitor interactions to evaluate the risk of transmission and recommend proportionate, evidencebased interventions. Distinguish modes of transmission and advise on appropriate control strategies tailored to mental health settings, where therapeutic activities and environmental constraints may influence IPC practice.
-
Promote a learning culture and encourage innovation in IPC across the Trust. Provide leadership, professional development, and performance management for the IPC team. Work with Learning and Development colleagues to design, oversee, and deliver IPC training, including bespoke programmes for unregistered practitioners.
-
Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of IPC policies, procedures, guidelines, and audit schedules, ensuring alignment with national, local, and professional standards. Monitor adherence and take action to support improvement or escalate concerns. Maintain effective systems for the prevention, investigation, control, and surveillance of infections across all services
- The post holder will be responsible for a number of duties regarding IPC within clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.
Full details can be found in the attached Job Description.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- NMC Registered Nurse or HCPC Registered Allied Health Professional
- Educated to level 7 in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience working at a similar level in Infection Control
Desirable
- Post graduate qualification in Infection Prevention and Control
- Recognised Leadership Qualification
- Teaching qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working at a senior level within infection prevention and control
- Has experience of contributing to, preparing for, or participating in regulatory inspections, providing expert IPC input and supporting services to meet required standards
- Demonstrable experience of implementing systems and process to ensure governance, patient safety and quality
- Expert levels of knowledge in IPC practice pertinent to assigned service areas
- Experience in performance reporting and delivering targets
Desirable
- Demonstrates knowledge of effective patient engagement approaches to support service development and quality improvement, ensuring that service users' perspectives inform IPC practice within mental health settings
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in delivering training and educational programmes, adapting teaching style to meet the needs of diverse staff groups
- Communicates effectively with colleagues at all levels across AWP, partner organisations, stakeholders, the public, and service users, using emotional intelligence to navigate sensitive or complex situations
- Applies strong negotiation and influencing skills to support change, build consensus, and promote best practice in infection prevention and control
- Able to prioritise workload effectively and deliver high quality work within agreed timeframes
Other Requirements
Essential
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- NMC Registered Nurse or HCPC Registered Allied Health Professional
- Educated to level 7 in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience working at a similar level in Infection Control
Desirable
- Post graduate qualification in Infection Prevention and Control
- Recognised Leadership Qualification
- Teaching qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working at a senior level within infection prevention and control
- Has experience of contributing to, preparing for, or participating in regulatory inspections, providing expert IPC input and supporting services to meet required standards
- Demonstrable experience of implementing systems and process to ensure governance, patient safety and quality
- Expert levels of knowledge in IPC practice pertinent to assigned service areas
- Experience in performance reporting and delivering targets
Desirable
- Demonstrates knowledge of effective patient engagement approaches to support service development and quality improvement, ensuring that service users' perspectives inform IPC practice within mental health settings
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in delivering training and educational programmes, adapting teaching style to meet the needs of diverse staff groups
- Communicates effectively with colleagues at all levels across AWP, partner organisations, stakeholders, the public, and service users, using emotional intelligence to navigate sensitive or complex situations
- Applies strong negotiation and influencing skills to support change, build consensus, and promote best practice in infection prevention and control
- Able to prioritise workload effectively and deliver high quality work within agreed timeframes
Other Requirements
Essential
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times
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).
.png){kind=logo}
