Infection Prevention and Control Nurse

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will work closely with the Trusts multi-disciplinary teams supporting infection prevention and control practices across departments. This will include providing IPC advice and supporting the IPCT leadership in reviewing and implementing changes in practice.

The post holder will support the IPCT in:

the development and implementation of local and national infection prevention and control policies and initiatives

decontamination

surveillance

outbreak investigation

clinical audit.

CLINICAL

Provide clinical expertise to clinical areas when patients are identified with healthcare acquired or communicable infections.

Support clinical areas to maintain biosecurity measures

Support an effective and high quality patient-focused service that is sensitive to the needs of users and providers and act as an expert resource to staff assessing and treating patients with healthcare acquired or communicable infections.

Maintains a clinical visibility at ward and departmental level by being accessible to ensure that attitudes and working practices reflects the Infection Prevention and Control teams commitment to a continual improvement in the quality of the service

Ward based focus to ensure the safe, effective and evidence based clinical practices through rapid audit/feedback systems, and educational tools.

Improves quality and safety by participating in the development and implementation of robust, high-quality policies and guidelines that prevent and control infection

Supports the collection, and communication of data relating to preventing and controlling infection for surveillance purposes

Contributes to the compilation of reports, maintaining accurate and legible records in line with professional and statutory regulation

Applies acquired clinical knowledge and expertise, providing advice, in matters relating to infection control for health care workers within the Trust.

Provides specialist advice to support the management and investigation of incidents and outbreaks of infection

Improves quality and safety through the application of improvement methodologies which maximise the quality of the patients experience

Contributes to the evaluation, monitoring and review of the effectiveness of decontamination processes for equipment and the environment

Contributes to the evaluation, monitoring and review of the effectiveness of product purchasing in relation to Infection Control

Supports the Matron and Specialist Nurse on the development, implementation and evaluation of annual infection prevention and control audit programmes. Provides support in the provision of organisational environmental audits e.g. PLACE inspections

Works in conjunction with the ward staff providing specialist advice to assist in the management of a caseload of inpatients, with alert organisms or alert conditions, to ensure appropriate nursing management in order to reduce the risk of transmission.

Works as part of the multidisciplinary team fostering good interdepartmental relationships and helping to achieve high morale for patients and staff and continuous quality improvement.

Represents the IPCT Specialist Nurse at meetings within the organisation as delegated

In the unlikely event of a significant outbreak the post holder will be expected to be flexible across their hours of work to ensure the safe and effective management of outbreaks.

LEADERSHIP

Provide specialist advice and clinical support to clinical teams using excellent communication skills and education to enable them to optimise the prevention and control of healthcare acquired infections.

Works as part of the MDT fostering effective professional relationships and provide clinical expertise and advice to ensure effective implementation of the infection prevention & control programme.

Contribute to the improvement of quality and safety through influence, proactivity and challenge

Contribute to the improvement of quality and safety through the design, planning, monitoring and development of services

Support the Infection Control Nursing Team re: organising/prioritising workload, representation at internal groups in order to meet service needs.

EDUCATION

Develops own knowledge, skills and practice in line with the Trusts policies and current recommendations from Professional Bodies; ensuring compliance at all times to the Trusts mandatory training requirements

Participates in the maintenance of a learning environment conducive to the educational needs of newly qualified staff and students, (post/undergraduate), in association with the universities

Represents the IPCT at meetings and conferences as delegated

Involvement in the development of the knowledge, skills and practice of the infection and prevention team, recognises and uses opportunities to facilitate learning, providing situational support as necessary

Assists in the development and evaluation of an Infection Prevention and Control Link Worker

RESEARCH and AUDIT

Access and apply evidence of all types from a range of research and other sources, to the domains of the role

Participate in data capture for surveillance as required by national and local surveillance requirements

Supports the Lead Nurse in the delivery of high quality infection prevention and control services

Shares best practice through the dissemination of evidence and knowledge. Assists in the development and evaluation of infection control policies/procedures

COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works across organisational and professional boundaries as an expert practitioner as part of the multi-disciplinary team

Qualifications

Essential

• RN/Current NMC registration
• Degree or equivalent level of education or experience
• Evidence of current professional development
• Teaching and assessing certificate

Desirable

• Certificate or diploma in Infection Prevention &Control

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable interest and knowledge in infection prevention and control issues.

Desirable

• Experience of participation in clinical audit and research.
• Experience of involvement in quality improvement

Skills

Essential

• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to assess and assimilate information and adopt a problem solving approach in order to achieve change
• Ability to work independently and in a small team and with a range of staff across the organization
• Able to cope with unpredictable workload with frequent interruptions
• Work flexibly
• Ability to assess risks associated with occupational exposure (i.e. sharps injuries) and provides specialist guidance and signposting to treatment and support in line with Trust protocols
• Report writing / Presentation skills
• Computer literate

Desirable

• Computer literate
• Be able to accurately input and extract data from NHS computer systems ie ability to use Word/Excel/PowerPoint etc

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of current guidance relating to infection prevention and control
• Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
• Understanding of equality and diversity issues and how this affects patients, visitors and staff

Desirable

• Knowledge of research/audit in specialty

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

Other

Essential

• Capability to work some unsocial hours including weekends

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).