Job responsibilities
WORCESTERSHIRE
ACUTE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title:IPC Support Operative
Pay Band:3
Hours:37.5hrs per week
Contract:Permanent
Location
/ Department:Countywide Infection
Control Team: Mattress store/Face Fit Tester/Education
Responsible
to:IPC Nurse Manager
Accountable
to:IPC Nurse Manager
Key Working Relationships:
Internal:
Wards/Departments
PFI Partners
Infection Prevention & Control
Team
Tissue Viability Team
Procurement Department
Technical Services
Facilities Team
External:
Suppliers
Risk
Assessment:
This
post involves frequent contact with equipment. Manual handling of inanimate,
often bulky equipment, daily use of VDU screen, use of cleaning fluids and
there will be an expectation to work at different Worcester Acute Hospitals NHS
Trust sites to cover service need.
Job Purpose:
As the IPC Support Operative you will be working within the
infection prevention and control team county wide across different roles: Face
fit testing service and Mattress Store,
to cover annual leave and sickness, there is also an element of educational
support to share IPC messages within the Trust.
Face fit testing
Fit testing is a method for checking that a specific model
and size of FFP3 mask (tight-fitting
mask) matches the wearers facial features and seals adequately to the wearers
face. It will also help to identify unsuitable masks which should not be used.
The performance of tight-fitting masks depends on achieving
a good contact between the wearers skin and the face seal of the mask.
Peoples faces vary significantly in shape and size so it is unlikely that one
particular model or size of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) mask will
fit everyone. Inadequate fit will significantly reduce the protection provided
to the wearer. Any reduction in protection may lead to immediate or long term
ill health or can even put the RPE wearers life in danger.
The post holder will work as part of the Infection under the
supervision of the Face fit co-ordinator. They will work closely with the
Infection Prevention & Control and Team (IPC) as well as the Procurement
and Supply Chain team and the Development and Education Team. They will ensure that staff are individually
face fitted to masks providing respiratory protection against harmful
pathogens.
The post holder will be responsible for fit testing to ensure
masks that are either re-useable or disposable fit the face of an individual.
Full training will be given for both the qualitative and quantitative fit
testing methods. The post holder will also play a key role in educating staff
on the best practice of donning and doffing FFP3 PPE.
The
post holder will work independently on a day-to-day basis. All sites will need
to be covered with one other Fit Tester during the course of a week and it
could be that visiting various locations at those hospitals is required
depending on need. The post holder will be responsible for arranging and
collecting a PortaCount machine from IPC and setting up the allocated room in
preparation for testing. Where required, the post holder will need to refer to
IPC for alternatives for respiratory protection where fit testing is
unsuccessful and update records accordingly.
If
there is a lack of face fit testing bookings, then the staff member may be
asked to assist within other departments of the Infection Prevention &
Control team or Mattress store. Mattress store duties include cleaning the
mattresses using PPE and chemicals, collection and delivery of mattresses.
Other duties may include education of trust staff regarding hand hygiene competencies and audit
of environment and practices.
Key
Duties:
To
ensure Personal Protective Equipment is worn and used according to Trust policy.
Conduct
face fit tests (using portacount machine) on staff that are required to wear
FFP3 masks, specifically:
Being
clear on the face fit testing process and being able to describe this to staff.
To
ensure that the mask that is being fitted is a good fit before conducting the
test by assisting in fitting the mask ensuring a good seal.
Directing
the member of staff through the face fit exercises.
Recording
the result of any face fit test.
Explaining
to the member of staff which mask they have passed on and when they should book
another fit test, if required.
Where
no fit is achieved advising staff on alternatives and how to access them.
To
actively support IPC in implementing and evaluating
the Face Fit Test strategy and action plan.
Monitor
and maintain stock levels of face masks and consumables
Clean
and maintain equipment according to manufacturers guidance.
Report
any issues identified with the portacount machines
Mattress Store
Integral
to this, is the availability of Pressure Ulcer Prevention equipment.The
Mattress Store Assistant Role is integral to the cleaning/decontamination /
checking of the Trust Wide Mattresses, ensuring these medical devices are fit
for purpose and ensuring timely delivery to ward /department areas during
Stores operational hours.
There
are currently 2 Equipment/Mattress stores based at WRH and Alex sites under the
line management of Infection Prevention Control team
Key
Duties:
To
ensure Personal Protective Equipment is worn and used according to Trust
policy.
To
maintain competence in use of Mattress Medical Devices, in order to cascade
knowledge and skill to clinical staff when required.
Answer
telephone/bleep enquiries for mattress delivery and collection and action in a
timely manner.
Deliver/collect
requested items to clinical areas, assist in setting up and support staff with
equipment if requested to do so.
Provide
ward based support for the appropriate and safe use of medical equipment/
mattresses.
Provide
advice on cleaning and reinforce Trust process for decontamination of equipment
/mattresses.
Visit
wards / department clinical areas and Dirty Utility Mattress Store throughout
the day to collect and deliver Trust mattresses and equipment.
Assist
in providing ward based support with safe use of medical equipment/ mattresses.
Assist
clinical staff in the setting up of relevant equipment and signpost staff to TV
/IPC Website where equipment resources are available.
Collect
equipment and mattresses on completion of use from clinical areas.
Following
collection of used mattresses/equipment return to the store, and undertakes
cleaning and examination of the mattresses/equipment to ensure it is in working
order.
Check
PAT testing details and arrange for servicing if required.
Decontamination
and storage of equipment in line with Trust guidelines/policy and
manufacturers instructions.
The
Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH): The use and storage of
cleaning fluids as per manufacturers instructions.
To
be competent of the use of Manual Handling Equipment/Transportation devices as
per manufacturers instructions.
Liaise
with Technical Services, Estates and Contractors for breakdowns and routine
maintenance and servicing.
Throughout
day update the site inventory, maintain computer database/spread sheet identifying usage and returns. Keep any
other significant paperwork filed in chronological order,
Ensure
stores are kept clean and orderly.
To
support IPC/TV team Yearly Mattress Audit across the 3 Trust sites.
Assist
in service audit when requested by IPC /Lead TV Nurse / Technical Services
Manager
Yearly
Stock take of all Stores.
Liaise
with Specialist Nursing Teams Tissue Viability, Infection Control, for clinical
and professional advice, as required.
Adhere
to Trust-wide policies and guidelines.
To
undertake Professional Development Review on yearly basis.
Ensure
the reporting of clinical incidents via Datix incident reporting system is
undertaken
Carry
out an audit of equipment if requested by TV Lead Nurse/IPC lead
nurse/Technical Services manager.
Escalate
to TV Lead Nurse or deputy if there is a shortage of equipment.
Ability
to travel and work across sites if needed.
Set
up equipment for Trust Training.
Ensure
sufficient ancillary supplies are available on 24hour basis: Mattress bags,
cable ties and paperwork to record equipment taken out of hours.
Any
other duties as requested by manager
Communication
Establish
and maintain relationships with members of staff and colleagues affiliated with
Mattress stores and Face Fit Testing.
Communicate
effectively with others, recognising that there may be a requirement to utilise
alternative methods of communication to overcome barriers to understanding.
Assist
clinical teams with selection of a mattress- understanding the water low score
Participate
in discussions and team meetings, as required, in relation to mattress store/face
fit testing process and PPE.
Highlight
failure of particular masks to the IPC Nurse Manager and PA to DIPC.
Highlight
failure of mattresses and associated pumps, dwindling stocks of mattresses/
pumps to tissue viability
Escalate
to IPC Team
Planning
and Organisational Skills
Plan
and organise with the support of the IPC Nurse Manager/PA DIPC workload in line
with face fit testing appointment system.
Make
amendments to the appointment system for face fit testing, as required, and
report any issues manager.
Physical Skills
Standard
keyboard skills required for data entry.
Developed
physical skills required to operate testing equipment.
Lifting
of equipment (Portacount machine, consumables, mattresses, pumps and other
clinical equipment) for transport around hospital sites
Will
be required to transport equipment to various sites and wards/rooms.
