Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Infection Prevention Control Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team at Mid Cheshire NHS Foundation Trust. The team is expanding to improve the delivery of IPC service provision over a 7 day service . This is a diverse role so if you are enthusiastic and passionate about Infection Prevention Control and looking for a new exciting challenge, we are looking forward to hearing from you.
The post holder will work as an integral part of the Infection Prevention and Control team with responsibility for supporting the activity of the service and promoting the infection prevention and control agenda across Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) and Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership ( CCICP).
Carry out all aspects of infection prevention and control practices as required in accordance with infection prevention and control policies / trust policies under the supervision.
They will work to support Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) initiatives and will increase clinical visible presence and reinforcement of IPC measures across acute and community settings.
The role will also include supporting the role of the IPC practitioners in fit testing, maintenance of fit testing equipment and relevant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
A champion element to the role is expected.
Main duties of the job
Duties will include:
- Assist with infection prevention and control audits and workstream's as required.
- Regular completion of formal observations of PPE, ventilation, and equipment cleanliness to identify lapses in best practice standards (using local audit tool)
- Collecting patient and staff feedback on their experience and observations.
- Where lapses in IPC best practice are identified, support staff, visitors, and patients in understanding and reducing risks associated with breaches.
- Help ensure good ventilation on wards/depts.
- Arrange and conduct fit testing for clinical staff.
- Champion mask fit testing by working with direction as required alongside front-line staff to ensure compliance with respiratory protective equipment and PPE.
- To undertake periodic monitoring of respiratory protective equipment usage to ensure its effectiveness and user compliance.
- Ensure non- compliance and adverse events are reported via the correct system and channels.
- Ensure training records are maintained to a high standard on the agreed staff record, and that they are logged within reasonable timescales.
- Ensure appropriate rooms and suitable environments are booked for training requirements to enable optimum service provision.
- Liaise with stores to ensure FFP3 supply, and testing are aligned, maintaining, and monitoring the stock of the mask fit testing equipment and related consumables.
- Carry out allocated duties that support the efficient running of the IPC service.
About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of local hospital and community services for people across East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester boroughs (population 357K).
The Trust provides high quality planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care as well as child health, maternity services, and intermediate care across our sites at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford. The Trust provides 500 beds and employs over 5,000 members of staff.
An extensive range of community services is provided across 26 medical centres and schools by our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022 the Trust became a strategic partner in both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester 'places' and is part of the Cheshire and Merseyside partnership caring for a population of over 2.7million.
At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.
Job description
Job responsibilities
SERVICE DELIVERY
- Support the delivery of infection prevention and control functions and maintain a clinical profile, promoting a positive relationship with clinical areas in acute and community settings in relation to infection prevention and control.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary team/agencies with the support and direction of the IPC Practitioners as required.
- Support IPC practitioners in ensuring that advice regarding patient care is implemented and that clinical staff are encouraged to use the IPCS as a valuable resource.
- Assist the IPC practitioners in offering advice on isolation techniques, IPC precautions and good practice as stated in Infection Prevention and Control policies and monitor implementation a ward level.
- Assist with the management and control of outbreaks of infection.
- Prepare the fit tester environment for safe fit testing practice by ensuring that the cleanliness is maintained, materials and equipment are ready for use, including clearing away afterwards.
- Collect, collate, and report information, maintaining accurate confidential records/ documentation.
CLINICAL GOVERNANCE
- Promote the individual needs of the patient, by acknowledging preferences, rights, and choices, respecting privacy, and dignity, and by promoting anti- discriminatory practice, alerting senior staff if patient care appears to be disrespectful or discriminatory.
- Establish and maintain effective communication, maintaining confidentiality of information.
- Participate in the effective management of risk, by accurate recording and reporting and correct maintenance of records and documentation.
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others, alerting senior staff if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care.
- Support IPC practitioners in reporting and investigating clinical incidents relating to infection prevention and control.
- Demonstrate an awareness of any risks relating to IPC.
- Attend relevant risk management/Health & Safety courses commensurate with role.
MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP
- Ensure a healthy, safe, and secure working environment, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate documentation, and reporting any concerns.
EDUCATION/LEARNING
- Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in appraisal, supervision, action learning and by maintaining a professional/personal portfolio of learning.
- Assist in the delivery of in-service training for clinical staff in infection prevention and control.
- Contribute to the assessment and review of training programmes that have been implemented in order to plan future events.
This job description is an outline of the role and function. It is not intended to describe all specific tasks.
Job description
Job responsibilities
SERVICE DELIVERY
- Support the delivery of infection prevention and control functions and maintain a clinical profile, promoting a positive relationship with clinical areas in acute and community settings in relation to infection prevention and control.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary team/agencies with the support and direction of the IPC Practitioners as required.
- Support IPC practitioners in ensuring that advice regarding patient care is implemented and that clinical staff are encouraged to use the IPCS as a valuable resource.
- Assist the IPC practitioners in offering advice on isolation techniques, IPC precautions and good practice as stated in Infection Prevention and Control policies and monitor implementation a ward level.
- Assist with the management and control of outbreaks of infection.
- Prepare the fit tester environment for safe fit testing practice by ensuring that the cleanliness is maintained, materials and equipment are ready for use, including clearing away afterwards.
- Collect, collate, and report information, maintaining accurate confidential records/ documentation.
CLINICAL GOVERNANCE
- Promote the individual needs of the patient, by acknowledging preferences, rights, and choices, respecting privacy, and dignity, and by promoting anti- discriminatory practice, alerting senior staff if patient care appears to be disrespectful or discriminatory.
- Establish and maintain effective communication, maintaining confidentiality of information.
- Participate in the effective management of risk, by accurate recording and reporting and correct maintenance of records and documentation.
- Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines for self and others, alerting senior staff if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care.
- Support IPC practitioners in reporting and investigating clinical incidents relating to infection prevention and control.
- Demonstrate an awareness of any risks relating to IPC.
- Attend relevant risk management/Health & Safety courses commensurate with role.
MANAGERIAL/LEADERSHIP
- Ensure a healthy, safe, and secure working environment, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate documentation, and reporting any concerns.
EDUCATION/LEARNING
- Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in appraisal, supervision, action learning and by maintaining a professional/personal portfolio of learning.
- Assist in the delivery of in-service training for clinical staff in infection prevention and control.
- Contribute to the assessment and review of training programmes that have been implemented in order to plan future events.
This job description is an outline of the role and function. It is not intended to describe all specific tasks.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE/ PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Good general education. Previous experience in acute/community healthcare setting Band 2 or above
- Basic knowledge and understanding of organisms such as MRSA, C diff etc.
Desirable
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent experience demonstrated at interview
- Previous experience in IPC / Fit testing
- Willing to undertake additional training to support requirements of the role
Skills
Essential
- Good Communication skills
- Ability to solve problems & make decisions under pressure.
- Computer literate.
- Willingness to work flexibly and at other sites when required
Desirable
- Knowledge of IPC and fit testing (Training will be provided)
- Advanced computer skills (Excel, Power Point etc.)
Values
Essential
- A commitment to quality and safety.
- Recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues.
- A listening, learning and leading approach. A commitment to work together to create the best outcomes.
- Must demonstrate the Trust's values around both raising concerns at work, and how to treat others who raise concerns
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE/ PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Good general education. Previous experience in acute/community healthcare setting Band 2 or above
- Basic knowledge and understanding of organisms such as MRSA, C diff etc.
Desirable
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent experience demonstrated at interview
- Previous experience in IPC / Fit testing
- Willing to undertake additional training to support requirements of the role
Skills
Essential
- Good Communication skills
- Ability to solve problems & make decisions under pressure.
- Computer literate.
- Willingness to work flexibly and at other sites when required
Desirable
- Knowledge of IPC and fit testing (Training will be provided)
- Advanced computer skills (Excel, Power Point etc.)
Values
Essential
- A commitment to quality and safety.
- Recognition of the importance of showing respect, dignity and compassion to patients and colleagues.
- A listening, learning and leading approach. A commitment to work together to create the best outcomes.
- Must demonstrate the Trust's values around both raising concerns at work, and how to treat others who raise concerns
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).
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).
