Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Head Infection Prevention Nurse

The closing date is 14 September 2025

Job summary

An Infection Control Lead Nurse plays a vital role in preventing and controlling infections within a healthcare setting.They areresponsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating infection prevention and control programs, providing expert guidance to staff, and ensuring compliance with relevant policies and guidelines.Their work contributes to patient safety and the overall quality of care.

Main duties of the job

  • Developing and Implementing Programs: This includes creating, updating, and overseeing infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
  • Surveillance and Data Analysis: Monitoring infection rates, identifying trends, and analyzing data to guide interventions and improve practices.
  • Education and Training: Providing education and training to healthcare staff on infection control best practices, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and outbreak management.
  • Auditing and Monitoring: Conducting regular audits of clinical areas and practices to assess compliance with infection control standards and identify areas for improvement.
  • Outbreak Management: Assisting in the investigation and management of infection outbreaks, including implementing control measures and communicating with relevant stakeholders.
  • Consultation and Collaboration: Providing expert advice and guidance to healthcare professionals on infection control issues and collaborating with other departments and disciplines to ensure a coordinated approach.
  • Staying Up-to-Date: Keeping abreast of the latest research, guidelines, and best practices in infection prevention and control.
  • Promoting a Culture of Safety: Fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement in infection prevention and control throughout the organization

About us

BTH are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment where every individual is respected, valued, and supported. We recognise that our greatest asset is our people, and we strive to attract and retain professionals who embody our core values. To address previous challenges and promote a culture of excellence, we are seeking individuals who align with our renewed commitment to the values of caring, safe and respectful

Details

Date posted

02 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year per anum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

382-COR27-25

Job locations

Blackpool NHS foundation trust

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Job description

Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Planning:

  • Developing and implementinginfection prevention and control (IPC) strategiesto maintain high standards of patient safety.
  • Creating, implementing, and evaluating IPC guidance and policies.
  • Contributing to the development of major service delivery andtransformation plans.
  • Leading and maintaining the IPC Link practitioner network.
2. Clinical Expertise and Support:
  • Providing expert guidance and support to clinical teams on best practices.
  • Conductingregular audits and inspectionsto assess compliance with IPC policies.
  • Investigating and analyzingsurgical site infections.
  • Providing expert advice and support on all matters related to IPC.
3. Education and Training:
  • Educating and training healthcare staff and patients on IPC practices.
  • Developing and delivering training programs related to IPC.
  • Promoting a culture of continuous improvement by sharing audit findings and engaging staff in IPC initiatives.
4. Outbreak Management:
  • Managing and leadingoutbreak investigations.
  • Developing and implementing action plans to manage outbreaks.
  • Working with relevant stakeholders, including Public Health, to manage and resolve outbreaks.
5. Collaboration and Communication:
  • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including housekeeping and estates, to ensure compliance with IPC policies.
  • Working with other healthcare staff, including specialist doctors, nurses, and microbiologists.
  • Communicating effectively with key internal and external stakeholders.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation:
  • Monitoring and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of IPC policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Analyzing data related to infection rates and trends.
  • Contributing to prospective healthcare-related infection andantibiotic surveillanceprograms

Job description

Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Planning:

  • Developing and implementinginfection prevention and control (IPC) strategiesto maintain high standards of patient safety.
  • Creating, implementing, and evaluating IPC guidance and policies.
  • Contributing to the development of major service delivery andtransformation plans.
  • Leading and maintaining the IPC Link practitioner network.
2. Clinical Expertise and Support:
  • Providing expert guidance and support to clinical teams on best practices.
  • Conductingregular audits and inspectionsto assess compliance with IPC policies.
  • Investigating and analyzingsurgical site infections.
  • Providing expert advice and support on all matters related to IPC.
3. Education and Training:
  • Educating and training healthcare staff and patients on IPC practices.
  • Developing and delivering training programs related to IPC.
  • Promoting a culture of continuous improvement by sharing audit findings and engaging staff in IPC initiatives.
4. Outbreak Management:
  • Managing and leadingoutbreak investigations.
  • Developing and implementing action plans to manage outbreaks.
  • Working with relevant stakeholders, including Public Health, to manage and resolve outbreaks.
5. Collaboration and Communication:
  • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including housekeeping and estates, to ensure compliance with IPC policies.
  • Working with other healthcare staff, including specialist doctors, nurses, and microbiologists.
  • Communicating effectively with key internal and external stakeholders.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation:
  • Monitoring and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of IPC policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Analyzing data related to infection rates and trends.
  • Contributing to prospective healthcare-related infection andantibiotic surveillanceprograms

Person Specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Registered Nurse (first level).
  • Education to degree level.
  • Recognised infection control qualification.
  • ENB 998 or equivalent teaching qualification.
  • Specialist infection prevention training such as ventilation, decontamination
  • Track record of significant continuous personal development.

Desirable

  • degree level education

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • A minimum of 3 years' experience as a senior specialist nurse in infection prevention
  • Experience of managing a team.
  • Experience of project and change management in infection control
  • Experience of working in a constant changing environment.
  • Experience of undertaking audit and research.
  • Experience of undertaking presentations to large groups/conferences.
  • Contribution to infection prevention and control at a regional or national level.

Desirable

  • Experience of joint working with academic institutions ensuring the development of research programmes within the workplace.
  • Evidence of publications, conference presentations

SKILLS AND ABILITY

Essential

  • Ability to write and review policies in a timely and effective manner.
  • Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
  • Literate and numerate in English.
  • Teaching on specialist area to students, clinical and non-clinical staff.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
  • Ability to lead and work as part of close-knit team.
  • Able to use IT system in use in the Trust e.g. Microsoft Office, PAS, ICNet, etc.
  • Budgetary management skills.
  • Demonstrates strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work strategically and at all levels across organisational and professional boundaries and at the patient level.
  • Demonstrate a high level of infection control expertise and ability to work autonomously.
  • Able to analyse complex information and facilitate the application of theory to practice.
  • Ability to be flexible and adaptable at work to meet competing priorities.
  • Good understanding of the meaning of clinical supervision/mentoring.
  • Understanding of personal health and safety responsibility and risk management.
  • An understanding of equality within the workforce and how it can impact on this post.
  • Able to carry out concurrent activities (multi-tasking) work in an unpredictable working pattern.
  • Presents a positive, professional image.
  • Able to always keep self-motivated
  • Displays maturity/self-awareness when dealing with different situations.
  • Ability to identify the priorities of the organisation and be proactive in addressing these through work planning and service development in a manner that ensures service equality.
  • Ability to travel between sites.
  • Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
  • Able to attend conferences and meetings.
  • Able to work in different environments effectively.
  • Car owner/driver.
Person Specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Registered Nurse (first level).
  • Education to degree level.
  • Recognised infection control qualification.
  • ENB 998 or equivalent teaching qualification.
  • Specialist infection prevention training such as ventilation, decontamination
  • Track record of significant continuous personal development.

Desirable

  • degree level education

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • A minimum of 3 years' experience as a senior specialist nurse in infection prevention
  • Experience of managing a team.
  • Experience of project and change management in infection control
  • Experience of working in a constant changing environment.
  • Experience of undertaking audit and research.
  • Experience of undertaking presentations to large groups/conferences.
  • Contribution to infection prevention and control at a regional or national level.

Desirable

  • Experience of joint working with academic institutions ensuring the development of research programmes within the workplace.
  • Evidence of publications, conference presentations

SKILLS AND ABILITY

Essential

  • Ability to write and review policies in a timely and effective manner.
  • Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
  • Literate and numerate in English.
  • Teaching on specialist area to students, clinical and non-clinical staff.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
  • Ability to lead and work as part of close-knit team.
  • Able to use IT system in use in the Trust e.g. Microsoft Office, PAS, ICNet, etc.
  • Budgetary management skills.
  • Demonstrates strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work strategically and at all levels across organisational and professional boundaries and at the patient level.
  • Demonstrate a high level of infection control expertise and ability to work autonomously.
  • Able to analyse complex information and facilitate the application of theory to practice.
  • Ability to be flexible and adaptable at work to meet competing priorities.
  • Good understanding of the meaning of clinical supervision/mentoring.
  • Understanding of personal health and safety responsibility and risk management.
  • An understanding of equality within the workforce and how it can impact on this post.
  • Able to carry out concurrent activities (multi-tasking) work in an unpredictable working pattern.
  • Presents a positive, professional image.
  • Able to always keep self-motivated
  • Displays maturity/self-awareness when dealing with different situations.
  • Ability to identify the priorities of the organisation and be proactive in addressing these through work planning and service development in a manner that ensures service equality.
  • Ability to travel between sites.
  • Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
  • Able to attend conferences and meetings.
  • Able to work in different environments effectively.
  • Car owner/driver.

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).

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.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool NHS foundation trust

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Blackpool NHS foundation trust

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Director of Nursing

Lisa Horkin

lisa.horkin@nhs.net

01253951285

Details

Date posted

02 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year per anum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

6 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

382-COR27-25

Job locations

Blackpool NHS foundation trust

Whinney Heys Road

Blackpool

FY3 8NR


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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