Job summary
The post holder will be an influential lead nurse working within the corporate team to provide strategic nursing leadership and expert specialist advice concerning IPC.
Working closely with the Deputy Director of Infection Prevention & Control [DDIPC] and Executive Lead for IPC the post-holder will take a significant role in the development of high-quality evidence-based IPC policies and practices throughout the Trust and providing support and guidance to Trust staff ensuring a patient focussed service.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will line manage the IPC nursing and administrative team [IPCT]. Acting as the expert nurse they will be accountable with the DDIPC for ensuring the IPCT maintain an effective and efficient system throughout the Trust for the prevention, investigation and control of infections and any subsequent root cause analysis [RCA] and post infection review [PIR] processes in order to minimise the risks to patients, staff and the public.
The post holder will be required to establish and maintain effective and efficient communication networks with internal and external colleagues and corresponding organisations.
About us
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) King's Lynn is located near some of the most beautiful scenery in the UK, along the north Norfolk coast, and not far from Sandringham House.
We provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based healthcare services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, in addition to parts of Breckland, Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire.
We have more than 4,000 staff and volunteers, approximately 530 beds, and a helipad for air ambulances. We work with neighbouring hospitals for the provision of tertiary services, including as part of regional partnership and network models of care, such as the trauma network.
In February 2022 the significant progress that has been made at QEH was recognised by the Care Quality Commission who rated the Trust as 'Good' in all of the core services they inspected. They recommended the Trust moves out of the recovery support system (formerly special measures).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead on the planning and implementation of an ongoing Trust-wide programme of IPC policy review, to ensure that all policies are in date and remain based upon analysis of the best available published evidence, national guidance, legislative changes and new and emerging infections and diseases.
Prioritise own workload and manage time effectively often adjusting schedules at short notice in response to often unpredictable work patterns e.g. outbreak of infection. To lead on the planning and allocation of work for the nursing and administrative members of the IPCT.
In collaboration with the DDIPC and other key members of the IPCT contribute to a comprehensive annual report. Take a lead role in formulating the annual IPC programme for the Trust considering the overall aims and policies of the service/directorate/organisation, CCG and national strategies and targets. Examples include the trust wide IPC audit and surveillance programme for the year and strategies for meeting the national government mandatory alert organism objectives.
Represent the Trust at regional and national conferences and on working groups as appropriate.
Be involved in overseeing and developing specific IPC systems and database for patient caseload management, alert organism management and outbreak reports.
For full details about this vacancy, please see the attached job description and person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead on the planning and implementation of an ongoing Trust-wide programme of IPC policy review, to ensure that all policies are in date and remain based upon analysis of the best available published evidence, national guidance, legislative changes and new and emerging infections and diseases.
Prioritise own workload and manage time effectively often adjusting schedules at short notice in response to often unpredictable work patterns e.g. outbreak of infection. To lead on the planning and allocation of work for the nursing and administrative members of the IPCT.
In collaboration with the DDIPC and other key members of the IPCT contribute to a comprehensive annual report. Take a lead role in formulating the annual IPC programme for the Trust considering the overall aims and policies of the service/directorate/organisation, CCG and national strategies and targets. Examples include the trust wide IPC audit and surveillance programme for the year and strategies for meeting the national government mandatory alert organism objectives.
Represent the Trust at regional and national conferences and on working groups as appropriate.
Be involved in overseeing and developing specific IPC systems and database for patient caseload management, alert organism management and outbreak reports.
For full details about this vacancy, please see the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications/training and professional development
Essential
- Registered Nurse on appropriate part of the NMC register
- Appropriate Degree
- Mentor Preparation Programme/ ENB 998/C&G 7307 or teaching qualification
- Management/Leadership qualification or equivalent experience
- Post registration qualification in IPC
- Masters level qualification or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post-registration experience
- Significant time working in IPC with a highly specialised knowledge in a wide variety of clinical specialities
- Demonstrate experience of leading and managing a team/department
- Participation in quality improvement, clinical governance and safety initiatives
- Some experience of undertaking research, audit and surveillance and data analysis
- Proven record of planning, leading and implementing successful change projects
- Significant experience in presenting and teaching to a broad audience
- Evidence of working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment and across differing organisations
Skills, abilities, and knowledge
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including writing reports, policies and guidelines
- Adaptable and responsive to service changes whilst maintaining a positive "can do" attitude
- Skilled in managing and influencing others to deliver IPC initiatives in the context of organisational goals and strategic objectives
- Problem solving and negotiation skills
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop staff
- Working knowledge and experience of using Microsoft office packages, including word, excel, outlook and PowerPoint
- Ability to plan and organise own workload and that of others and work to deadlines
- Good insight into current local, national and global IPC policy developments and initiatives
Person Specification
Qualifications/training and professional development
Essential
- Registered Nurse on appropriate part of the NMC register
- Appropriate Degree
- Mentor Preparation Programme/ ENB 998/C&G 7307 or teaching qualification
- Management/Leadership qualification or equivalent experience
- Post registration qualification in IPC
- Masters level qualification or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post-registration experience
- Significant time working in IPC with a highly specialised knowledge in a wide variety of clinical specialities
- Demonstrate experience of leading and managing a team/department
- Participation in quality improvement, clinical governance and safety initiatives
- Some experience of undertaking research, audit and surveillance and data analysis
- Proven record of planning, leading and implementing successful change projects
- Significant experience in presenting and teaching to a broad audience
- Evidence of working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment and across differing organisations
Skills, abilities, and knowledge
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including writing reports, policies and guidelines
- Adaptable and responsive to service changes whilst maintaining a positive "can do" attitude
- Skilled in managing and influencing others to deliver IPC initiatives in the context of organisational goals and strategic objectives
- Problem solving and negotiation skills
- Ability to lead, motivate and develop staff
- Working knowledge and experience of using Microsoft office packages, including word, excel, outlook and PowerPoint
- Ability to plan and organise own workload and that of others and work to deadlines
- Good insight into current local, national and global IPC policy developments and initiatives
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).
