Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner

Job responsibilities

The role entails but is not limited to: -

• Participate in the development and review of Infection Control Policies & Protocols.
• To develop robust Surveillance programmes, including implementation of National Surveillance Schemes.
• Systematically collect and analyse data, making recommendations for change as appropriate.
• To be responsible for the provision of feedback of surveillance data to all relevant clinical staff, acting on any problems identified.
• Review microbiological data to evaluate the efficiency of the intervention and plan future practice.
• Explain the significance of microbiological data to members of staff and patients (when requested) to enable them to prevent and control infection.
• Publish data and feedback information to both internal and external stake holders.
• To participate in the critical appraisals and evaluations of infection control practices through a structured audit programme including the planning and implementation of the infection control environmental audit programme.
• Maintain an understanding of relevant up-to-date Infection Control surveillance literature and research and critically evaluate this information to formulate advice in relation to audit/surveillance duties.
• Participate in research studies in conjunction with the hospice strategy.
• To facilitate the implementation of best practice in prevention and control of infection by using problem solving approach and facilitating responsible personnel to manage change process in relation to audit/surveillance duties.
• Undertake any courses or development programmes identified as being relevant to the position.
• Contribute to the formulation of any organisational reports relating to Infection Prevention and Control.
• Attend professional meetings and conferences concerned with the prevention and control of infection and inform relevant staff on recent advances in this field.
• Provide support to clinical staff during outbreaks.
• Adhere to St Giles Hospice policies and procedures.
• Promote and link with key contacts at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) who provide IPC support through a dedicated Service Level Agreement (SLA).

EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

To work with all groups of staff to ensure awareness and understanding of the implications of surveillance/audit programmes.

• Where necessary assist all groups of staff to explain to patient groups the objectives of surveillance being carried out and relevant nursing care.
• To assist in the education and training programmes for all grades of staff, formally and informally within the organisation, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the education provided.
• To promote an interest in the control of infection amongst staff in relation to audit/surveillance duties.

The above list is not intended to be exhaustive but merely indicates the main duties of the post. Any changes to the overall job description will be discussed and agreed with the post holder.

Just so you know:

We may review applications before the application review date, however, if you apply after the application review date, your application may not be considered. We will accept applications until we have successfully filled the role, this may be earlier than the closing date.

If you have not heard within 14 days of the application close date, then please consider that your application has been unsuccessful at this time.

As part of your application your data will be managed in line with St Giles Hospice Privacy Policy and kept for 6 months. If you would like to see this in full, please visit https://www.stgileshospice.com/privacy-policy/

Other Requirements

Essential

• Valid driving licence
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Please note that St Giles Hospice does not hold a sponsorship licence and is therefore unable to accept sponsorship requests

Skills

Essential

• Logical thinking
• Practical
• Accurate and Methodical
• Common Sense
• Patient
• Able to stay calm in all situations
• Confidentiality
• Ability to Organise/Prioritise
• Innovator

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Empathetic
• Team player
• Ability to work under pressure
• Collaborative
• Ambassador for St Giles Hospice

Experience

Essential

• Good oral and written communication presentation
• Experience in Palliative Care
• Experience of audit and/or risk management
• Leadership skills
• Aptitude for clinical reasoning and critical appraisal skills

Desirable

• Participated in policy development/review
• Participated in teaching others
• Research experience

Qualifications

Essential

• First Level Clinical Registration
• Post registration qualification in Infection Prevention and Control module

Desirable

• Educated to degree level

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).