Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Infection Prevention and
Control (IPC) and Patient Safety Specialist to join our team on a 12-month
secondment, covering maternity leave.
This is an ideal opportunity for
someone looking to gain additional experience in IPC and the field of patient
safety, and to contribute to key infection prevention initiatives that directly
impact patient safety.
We will support the post holder to ensure they are
confident and competent in this specialist role, providing an opportunity to
make a tangible difference in IPC and patient safety across the organisation.
As a key member of the Patient Safety
and Quality team, you will act as a resource for advice
and support in relation to IPC and patient safety and be responsible for
supporting the delivery of safe, responsive and effective IPC services to teams
across First Community.
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading initiatives aimed at enhancing patient safety and minimising healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in IPC and patient safety strategies, driving compliance with relevant guidelines and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The post holder will be responsible for implementation and monitoring of infection control policies, procedures, and guidelines across the organisation and collaborate with clinical teams to ensure effective IPC strategies are in place.
Interviews will be held on the 15 January 2025.
Main duties of the job
Under the patient safety incident response framework, you will be expected to promote a culture of patient safety across the organisation. This will be achieved through the delivery of training, education, and awareness campaigns and involvement of safety improvement priorities and investigation and management of adverse events.
The post holder will also be expected to provide advice and guidance on infection control practices to staff at all levels and lead on IPC audits, including environmental audits and undertake observational visits.
You will also be expected to develop and deliver training on infection prevention and control topics and participate in quality improvement initiatives and support IPC-related projects.
About You:
We are looking for an individual who possesses:
- A strong understanding of infection control principles, protocols, and best practices.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to work effectively with teams.
- A proactive and solution-focused approach to problem-solving.
- Experience in infection control (preferred but not essential).
- The ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
About us
Do you want to be part of an organisation that was rated best provider of NHS care to work for nationwide? (2023 staff survey results)
First Community is a staff owned
social enterprise rated Good by CQC, which delivers NHS community services across
east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We
are looking for individuals who share our values First-rate care, First-rate people,
First-rate value.
First Community is a great place
to work, everyone has a voice and is supported to develop their career to its
full potential. We offer all our staff: NHS terms and conditions, high quality
training and development opportunities, flexible working to enable a good work
life balance, an inclusive and friendly work environment, an NHS pension,
flexible retirement options and various employee benefits.
Please talk to us before applying
or at interview about the flexibility you need. We may not be able to meet your
needs exactly, but we do promise to fully consider your request and meet your needs
where possible. Please note, flexible working options may vary depending on the
role.
At First Community we welcome
applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+
candidates and candidates with disabilities. We ensure that all applicants are
treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process,
including the consideration of reasonable adjustments.
Sustainability is integral to
First Community achieving the NHS Net Zero target.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder is responsible
for supporting the delivery of safe, responsive and effective infection prevention
and control services to teams across First Community. They will act as a
resource for specialist advice and support in relation to infection prevention
and control and patient safety, including medical devices.
They are a
key member of the patient safety and quality team, enabling the implementation
of policy and best practice across clinical services.
When
completing your application please refer to both the Application Guide and full
Job Description - these can be found under supporting documents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder is responsible
for supporting the delivery of safe, responsive and effective infection prevention
and control services to teams across First Community. They will act as a
resource for specialist advice and support in relation to infection prevention
and control and patient safety, including medical devices.
They are a
key member of the patient safety and quality team, enabling the implementation
of policy and best practice across clinical services.
When
completing your application please refer to both the Application Guide and full
Job Description - these can be found under supporting documents.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of on-going relevant professional development
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary workforce Involvement in service improvement and the implementation of change Knowledge of Clinical Governance and the relevance to practice.
- Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures
- Experience of infection prevention and control in a clinical setting
Desirable
- Knowledge of ethical issues
- Research and development
- Teaching in formal & informal situations
- Experience managing communicable infections
Knowledge
Essential
- A good basic knowledge of the principles of infection prevention and control or willingness to learn on the job
- Experience of mentorship and ability to identify learning and development needs
- Computer/IT skills
- Understanding of Health Care Associated Infections in primary and secondary care
- Knowledge of transmission of infection
Desirable
- Understands and applies principles of learning in practice
- Knowledge of current Department of Health guidelines on IPC standards.
- Knowledge of National Patient Safety Strategy and Patient Safety Incident Response Framework
Skills
Essential
- Ability to teach, support and effectively encourage best practice through constructive feedback to non-clinical and clinical staff, to members of the public, and to patients receiving care in the community
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to prioritise/cope with pressure
- Able to obtain and evaluate information to aid decision making
- Good time management skills
- Excellent team working skills
- Analytical skills
- Decision making skills
- Able to cope with pressure
- Able to use technology to find and appraise evidence
- Enquiry/problem solving skills
Other
Essential
- Car driver
- Essential to undertake approved training to support learning and assessment in practice
Qualifications
Essential
- Appropriate Professional Registration i.e. NMC or HCPC
Desirable
- Management / leadership qualification
- Degree
- Qualification / training in patient safety and / or IPC
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of on-going relevant professional development
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary workforce Involvement in service improvement and the implementation of change Knowledge of Clinical Governance and the relevance to practice.
- Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures
- Experience of infection prevention and control in a clinical setting
Desirable
- Knowledge of ethical issues
- Research and development
- Teaching in formal & informal situations
- Experience managing communicable infections
Knowledge
Essential
- A good basic knowledge of the principles of infection prevention and control or willingness to learn on the job
- Experience of mentorship and ability to identify learning and development needs
- Computer/IT skills
- Understanding of Health Care Associated Infections in primary and secondary care
- Knowledge of transmission of infection
Desirable
- Understands and applies principles of learning in practice
- Knowledge of current Department of Health guidelines on IPC standards.
- Knowledge of National Patient Safety Strategy and Patient Safety Incident Response Framework
Skills
Essential
- Ability to teach, support and effectively encourage best practice through constructive feedback to non-clinical and clinical staff, to members of the public, and to patients receiving care in the community
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to prioritise/cope with pressure
- Able to obtain and evaluate information to aid decision making
- Good time management skills
- Excellent team working skills
- Analytical skills
- Decision making skills
- Able to cope with pressure
- Able to use technology to find and appraise evidence
- Enquiry/problem solving skills
Other
Essential
- Car driver
- Essential to undertake approved training to support learning and assessment in practice
Qualifications
Essential
- Appropriate Professional Registration i.e. NMC or HCPC
Desirable
- Management / leadership qualification
- Degree
- Qualification / training in patient safety and / or IPC
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).
