Job responsibilities
The Specialist Practitioner will Contribute to the development of local policies, protocols and procedures in accordance with local and national standards but not limited to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (2015), The National Infection Prevention and Control Manual for England , Health Technical Memorandums and Health Building Notes. Provide Infection Prevention and Control advice and comment on local policies, procedures and guidelines. Participate in the implementation of Infection Prevention and Control policies, procedures throughout the trust and carry out audit to monitor compliance. Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care. Work with Estates and facilities to ensure all aspects of IPC are incorporated as part of their service delivery including Water Safety, Ventilation Safety and New Builds / Refurbishments.
Education /LearningDevelopment of self1. Remain up to date with contemporary IPC practice.2. Engage in a range of appropriate learning and development, continually reflecting on their IPC practice to maximise their capabilities.3. Be open to feedback on IPC practice by colleagues to promote ongoing development.4. Evaluate at appropriate intervals, the current and future requirements of their practice.5. Identify any capability gaps in their IPC practice, agreeing personal development plans with line manager through activities such as induction and appraisal.6. Review and update personal development plans in the light of performance, any development activities undertaken, and any wider changes as identified.
Research1. Contribute to the development of new knowledge through supporting research in IPC.2. Critically evaluate published literature, research studies and application to IPC practice.3. Develop a combined approach to practice focused research, academic inquiry and innovation across the IPC service/pathway.4. Develop a culture of sharing knowledge that values research, evaluation and academic inquiry & its importance to contemporary IPC practice.
Leadership and Behaviour Change1. Support and encourage colleagues in implementing changes relevant to best IPC practice.2. Encourage colleagues to ask questions, make suggestions and seek clarification in relation to the IPC work they have been allocated.3. Provide values-based leadership across the IPC care pathway, services and systems in complex and changing situations.4. Review changes made identifying any lessons learned for future IPC work activities.5. Critically evaluate the culture present within IPC teams and enable an optimal working environment through positive compassionate role modelling and leadership skills.6. Lead change processes: ensuring collaborative working to improve the quality of IPC practice.7. Lead with emotional intelligence, in line with NHS constitution values of compassionate leadership to enable individuals/ teams to flourish, grow and deliver high standards of IPC.8. Enable others to positively contribute to IPC service improvements and better ways of working, recognising their own role in such endeavours.Management1. Allocate work to others by taking account of their skills, knowledge, competence, backgrounds and experience.2. Provide opportunities for colleagues and peers to get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses and build mutual respect and trust.3. Enable the wider IPC team to positively contribute to better ways of working.4. Implement IPC interventions working with multidisciplinary teams, using multimodal strategies, and campaigning as required.CommunicationsMake use of all available methods of communication to build and develop effective communication networks and processes both within and external to the specialist area and trust.
To lead by example always adopting an accountable and professional manner acting as a role model/advocate for Infection Prevention and Control.
Assist in dealing with concerns / complaints in the first instance and act as an advocate for patients using the correct channels and procedures to refer on complaints that cannot be easily resolved
Clinical DutiesClinical Practice1. Act as a point of contact on IPC matters.2. Advise on IPC measures related to cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation processes.3. Establish and maintain good communication with patients/clients/residents and relatives regarding their IPC care.4. Communicate IPC action plans with healthcare staff maintaining appropriate records of work per agreed protocols.5. Always apply Standard Infection Control Precautions, for all individuals (whether infection is known to be present or not), to ensure the safety of everyone.6. Implement on IPC measures related to invasive devices and procedures.7. Utilise current evidence-based guidance, policies, and protocols to inform IPC practice.8. Apply Transmission Based Precautions when indicated by using clinical judgement and making risk assessed decisions based on: Suspected/known infectious agents and the severity of the illness caused. Transmission route of the infectious agent. Care setting and procedures undertaken.9. Encourage individuals to give feedback on guidance, policies, systems, procedures, and practices and how improvements could be made.10. Contribute to and participate in IPC monitoring, audit, and significant event reporting.11. Form respectful relationships with individuals, teams and organisations representing diverse constituencies, seeking regular input to better understand equality, diversity & inclusion issues.12. Plan, monitor and review guidance, policies/procedures designed to promote good IPC.13. Recognise circumstances or settings which create barriers to effective delivery of IPC and take appropriate action to overcome these barriers.14. Investigate outbreaks using appropriate methods and interpretation of outbreak findings, by working with others to: Establish the case definition. Identify the parameters of the investigation and the case-finding methodology. Make hypotheses and identify the source and mode of transmission.15. Undertake IPC assessments of clinical areas, providing feedback, identifying areas of good practice and areas for remedial activity.16. Evaluate clinical areas; ensuring any improvement plans are being acted upon.17. Develop IPC policies and guidelines, which are evidence-based, clinically relevant and accessible to those who will follow them.
Surveillance1. Contribute and participate in IPC monitoring, audit, and significant event reporting.2. Use surveillance data to reduce the risk of Healthcare Associated Infections among patients, staff, and others.3. Develop protocols for a surveillance programme with clearly defined objectives and goals that are relevant for the target areas, procedure, population, or event of interest.
Built Environment1. Support interventions which tackle climate change and broader sustainability issues, in the context of providing high standards of IPC practice.2. Support estates department, hygiene services and others with IPC advice on cleaning standards and cleaning specifications for the working environment.3. Engage and collaborate with stakeholders to promote IPC in the built environment.4. Complete IPC risk assessments and advise on IPC key measures for the built environment, taking into consideration current building guidance and legislation.5. Provide IPC advice on water safety, specialist ventilation, decontamination, personal protective equipment, and investigations.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) & Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)1. Deliver education in relation to AMR and AMS.2. Apply AMS principles and good practice, using evidence-based guidance and local policies.3. Report patient safety incidents related to antimicrobial use (e.g. hospital admissions for potentially avoidable life-threatening infections, infections with C. difficile or adverse drug reactions such as anaphylaxis).4. Identify, challenge, and take action to rectify and report inappropriate antibiotic prescribing5. Support the implementation of IPC measures and transmission-based precautions when caring for people colonised or infected with resistant microorganisms.6. Support incident reviews and remedial actions related to AMR and AMS.7. Integrate audit into existing quality improvement programmes in relation to AMR/AMS.8. Work collaboratively with key stakeholders in implementing national IPC guidance on Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs), AMR and AMS.
Microbiology1. Apply knowledge of the microorganisms that cause infection in humans in healthcare and community settings.2. Support with diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship programmes when required.3. Recognise key characteristics of pathogenicity, transmission, virulence, and other risk factors associated with chain of infection.4. Apply knowledge about clinical manifestation and presentation of infection, diagnostic, laboratory testing and screening methods to interpret reports and advise others in line with organisational protocols and guidance.5. Advise in discussions on the microbiological specimens to be taken in specific infection cases and/or outbreaks.6. Provide advice and support in applying standard and transmission-based precautions depending on the modes of transmission and virulence patterns identified through microbiological tests.7. Communicate in a timely and effective manner about modes of transmission and risks of specific pathogens and necessary microbiological investigations.
