Infection Prevention and Control Lead [SYS-48314]

Job description

Job responsibilities

About this role:

To ensure Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is addressed in all areas of the hospital, and reflected throughout all activity related to healthcare provision. Taking accountability for infection prevention all new business, new build and refurbishment. Ensuring compliance to the HCAI code (DH 2010) for CQC requirements in England and equivalent for hospitals in Scotland and Wales.

Responsibilities:

Lead the team to deliver care that helps improve the health of the individual and wider community.

Lead the team in demonstrating compassion through effective relationships based on empathy, respect and dignity.

Develop own competence to deliver effective care and treatments through improving clinical/technical knowledge / skill, and expertise.

Communicate appropriately with others involved in the care of the patient.

Act as an advocate for safeguarding patients; demonstrate courage to speak up when there are concerns about care.

Demonstrate commitment to improving care and the patient experience.

To be a core member of the Hospital IPC committee (HIPCC).

To develop in partnership with the senior person responsible for IPC and with approval of the HIPCC, an annual program, that is aligned to the HCAI code (DH 2010) (plus for Scottish and Welsh hospitals: NHS Scotland Code of Practice and National HCAI strategy for hospitals in Wales) and reflects specific objectives of Circle Health Group National Infection Prevention and Control annual program.

Where appropriate be a key implementer of the Hospital IPC programme.

Working towards agreed objectives and demonstrating Circle Health Group behaviours at all time.

To develop a full time IPC link at Hospitals where appropriate.

Utilise and work in partnership with the local Infection Control Doctor (ICD) ensuring that the service level agreement is appropriate for the hospital size, activity levels and complexity.

To ensure risks of infection are identified throughout all hospital departments and disciplines and risk assessments are in place reflecting controls that are reviewed at least annually and as otherwise indicated.

To ensure local infection control policies reflect corporate policies, writing local Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as appropriate, and liaise with departmental heads to ensure these are implemented.

To ensure all staff have appropriate IPC training using a combination of online and face to face training.

To implement and maintain a continuous hand hygiene improvement programme.

To implement and oversee a surveillance program that includes:

- Alert organism and disease surveillance.

- Alert symptom surveillance.

- Surgical site surveillance: especially hip and knee replacement surgery.

- All bacteremia reports for internal and external reporting.

- All Clostridium difficile reports for internal and external.

Ensures that all surveillance data are analysed, utilising the expertise and input of the local ICD.

Uses Root Cause Analysis in cases of infection to identify issues and causes with inclusion of clinical staff, especially in relation to changes required in practice as a result of the analysis.

To identify patient information requirements and ensure these are met at local level.

To ensure programs of auditing are in place in relation to IPC and support the active involvement of IPC link persons in each area.

To ensure all low risk medical devices throughout the hospital are subject to a decontamination schedule appropriate for the level of risk.

To ensure that all medium and high risk medical devices used in the hospital are subject to appropriate decontamination;

- Through an SLA for sterile services with an accredited sterile service department for surgical instruments.

- For on-site high level disinfectant for endoscope equipment, that a compliant unit and service is provided.

To ensure there is appropriate engineer and ICD support for monitoring the environment, this includes:

- Ventilation (especially in pharmacy aseptic units, theatre departments, minor ops departments and endoscope units).

- Water safety (including hydrotherapy pools).

To ensure environmental cleaning is sufficient and appropriate to the level of risk in each area of the hospital in partnership with housekeeping department.

To provide comment and advice on the purchase, introduction and use of equipment in relation to IPC issues.

To support the local Waste Officer in all waste management but especially in the management of the clinical waste stream.

To ensure all reports required centrally for organisational wide information purposes and to support early identification of risks are collated and submitted within the set time limits.

Ensure compliance with all IPC policies and procedures.

To ensure IPC is an integral part of local governance and health & safety structures.

Commitment to ensuring quality services are delivered to both internal & external stakeholders through continuous improvement activities.

Compliance with Circle Health Group Policies and Procedures relevant to this role, ensuring you are fully aware of your responsibilities within these policies.

Demonstrate awareness of regulatory requirements, taking appropriate action to ensure these requirements are implemented and adhered to.

Ensure compliance with all Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures understanding your role in the prevention of infection in patients and staff.

To be aware of your responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. To ensure you are aware of your responsibilities, supporting policies and undertake the appropriate level of training for your role.

Participate in hospital cover / clinical manager on-call rotas including week nights and weekend shifts.

To deputise for the line manager in their absence as appropriate.

Undertaking specific role related competencies and learning, ensuring 100% compliance of all relevant mandatory training within Learning Space timescales.

Maintain knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Act. Ensuring

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience working in IPC role,
• Previous experience working within the acute healthcare sector.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (or other profession e.g. Operating Department
• Practitioner).
• Teaching and assessing qualification e.g. ENB 998 (or equivalent).
• Specialist knowledge to a level defined for that hospital

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.

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

Circle Health Group

Address

30 Cannon Street

London

EC4M 6XH

Employer's website

https://www.circlehealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)