Health Protection Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Purpose of this Post

1. To assist the Public Health Manager- Health Protection in assuring the Director of Public Health that the statutory responsibilities in relation to health protection are effectively discharged in relation to the implementation and assurance of local health protection programmes for Westmorland and Furness, including community infection prevention and control.

2. To take a professional role in the provision of Infection Prevention and Control advice and support across Westmorland and Furness supporting the objectives of protecting health and reducing communicable diseases and Health Care Associated Infections (HCAI).

3. To uphold policies and standards for Infection Prevention and control underpinning the commissioning of safe and effective health and care services.

4. To provide risk assessment support and specialist advice and guidance in relation to Infection Prevention and Control measures to be taken in an emergency situation.

Key Job Specific Accountabilities

1. To support the Public Health Manager- Health Protection in the communication and delivery of plans for protecting the health of the local population, e.g. heat- health, pandemic infection.

2. Actively participate in the implementation of health protection plans and programmes of work, including appropriate escalation of concerns to the Public Health Manager- Health Protection.

3. To participate in the management of outbreaks of communicable disease, ensuring that effective control measures are implemented to protect the health of the public.

4. To maintain effective relationships with key partners with a role in protecting the health of Westmorland and Furness citizens, specifically the NHS organisations covering Cumbria and the UK Health Security Agency.

5. To reduce risk through delivery of a comprehensive, needs led, high quality and evidence[1]based infection prevention and control service.

6. To provide evidence-based infection prevention and control advice to staff, patients, carers, independent contractors, schools, nursing and residential homes, and other statutory and voluntary organisations as required, supporting the development, promotion and evaluation of best practice in infection prevention.

7. Make a contribution to achievement of HCAI targets. Identifying and promoting best practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse level 1
• Current NMC registration
• Evidence of post-qualification continuing professional development

Desirable

• Competent knowledge of common infectious diseases and their management and control

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

Westmorland and Furness

Address

South Lakeland House

Lowther Street

Kendal

Cumbria

LA9 4UF

Employer's website

https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)