Infection Prevention & Control Nurse/Practitioner

Job responsibilities

• To audit infection control practice and standards across all community healthcare services and environments; to identify and assist in the rectification of hazardous practice; to evaluate the implementation of infection control policies; to produce written reports and action plans and follow-up on recommendations.
• To work with the senior infection prevention nurse in providing advice on the IPC aspects of premises and service developments, any contract/service specifications commissioned by CLCH.
• To participate in PLACE (Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment) inspections and to advise CLCH on the IPC aspects of cleaning, waste segregation in collaboration with Estates and Facilities colleagues, decontamination of equipment and adherence to appropriate IPC policies.
• To assist on deciding in the procurement of infection control related products, such as personal protective equipment, sharps safety devices and hand hygiene products, conducting and evaluating product trials, involving, and working with the Medical Devices and Procurement teams, where necessary.
• To participate in infection control surveillance and audit programmes, in accordance with the annual infection prevention work programme and in response to any clinical concerns that may arise.
• To work with the senior infection prevention nurse in providing specific reactive advice on patient care and management in the control of communicable diseases or organisms; in terms of isolation precautions, treatment, contact tracing / prophylaxis, immunisation and/or other control measures, working in partnership with microbiology, health protection staff and other external and internal stakeholders.
• To advise on the care and management of invasive devices to reduce infection risk.
• To work effectively across multi-disciplinary teams and with external partners, for example cleaning contractors, to promote effective infection prevention practice.
• To work closely with CLCH staff and managers to identify linked cases, clusters, and outbreaks of infection within Trust services.
• To assist in the investigation, management, and implementation of outbreak control measures, including liaising with the wider Infection Prevention and Health Protection Teams, CLCH staff and managers, as appropriate.

COMMUNICATION

• To assist in the production of the IPC annual report, work programme and assurance reports for the trust Infection Prevention Group.
• To assist in the dissemination of key information on the prevention and control of infection to CLCH staff and managers within area of responsibility.
• To contribute and participate in the production of any promotional IPC communication within the trust.
• To assist with the Infection Prevention Link Practitioner programme by recruiting, supporting, and developing Link Practitioners in facilitating their networking across the Trust.
• To familiarise on the escalation process of any identified clinical or management issues and inform senior infection prevention nurse.

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

• To be a role model and champion for IPC within CLCH and act as an expert resource for the organisation.
• To participate in the development and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators relating to IPC, working with service managers to provide current status and improvement plans to the quarterly CLCH Infection Prevention Group.
• To work with the senior infection prevention nurse in providing assurance reports for trust committees to inform the organisation on progress against the infection prevention work programme.

TEACHING AND TRAINING

• To participate in the assessment and identification of infection control training needs of CLCH staff and to develop and deliver appropriate training packages to meet those needs.
• To deliver induction and refresher training across CLCH.
• To respond to ad hoc requests for training, e.g., MRSA surveillance, that are specific to particular staff groups or in response to specific situations e.g., outbreaks.
• To organise events, campaigns, or road shows to raise awareness of key infection prevention messages, e.g., hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, sharps safety.
• To evaluate and review training as appropriate.

PROFESSIONALISM

• To establish sustainable, collaborative working partnerships across CLCH services, for example through the link practitioner programme.
• To maintain a culturally sensitive and non-judgemental approach to all interactions with staff and service users throughout CLCH NHS Trust.
• To be an active member of local and regional infection prevention networks in London and Hertfordshire.
• To attend professional meetings and conferences on matters relating to IPC and communicable disease control, in line with annual PADR identified development needs.
• To pursue continuing education, training, and revalidation in line with NMC and CLCH NHS Trust requirements and personal development plan.
• To engage with relevant professional organisations, e.g., the Infection Prevention Society (IPS).

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

• To assist in the management and investigation of infection-related adverse incidents, including Serious Incidents (SIs), complaints and risks, establishing close working with the Patient Safety Team, reporting to key committees, and recording on Datix / risk register as appropriate; ensuring any lessons learnt are embedded into policy and practice.

RESEARCH

• To keep updated of current research, developments and statutory provisions which impact on IPC.
• To participate in IPC research as required.

OTHER DUTIES: Development of Policies, Tools and Information Resources

• To assist in the development, updating, dissemination and implementation of IPC policies, standards, patient information leaflets, audit tools and promotional posters, in order to facilitate safe, evidence-based practice in accordance with national guidance and health and safety legislation.

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Registered General Nurse - diploma / degree qualification or Registered Health Professional for example, Physio, Paramedic, Midwife Post-graduate training course- examples include an area of specialist clinical practice, teaching, mentoring or leadership

Desirable

• Specialist training to degree / post-graduate diploma level in Infection Control / Health Protection Teaching and/or mentorship qualification

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience in the clinical setting of teaching, audit or implementing change in practice
• Working knowledge of invasive and medical devices, their management, and related clinical procedures
• Demonstrable experience in applying infection prevention policy / national directives within current and/or past roles

Desirable

• Experience in infection prevention and control nursing
• Experience in community healthcare

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Able to demonstrate knowledge of infection prevention across different community care settings and disciplines
• Able to assess, teach and demonstrate clinical procedures, such as aseptic technique, phlebotomy, taking of nose, throat, and wound swabs
• Able to communicate well, both verbally and in writing
• Able to build effective working relationships
• Able to communicate complex and/or sensitive information to patients and staff, where there may be barriers to acceptance
• Able to assess and interpret information, e.g., microbiological results, assess risk and apply advice to local situation
• Able to use display screen equipment - standard keyboard / IT skills, knowledge of MS Office including word, excel and PowerPoint
• Able to provide training and education
• Able to cope with unpredictable work pattern and to work under pressure
• Able to plan workload and set priorities according to the needs of the service and annual work programme
• Able to be accountable for own professional practice and work autonomously
• Able to work constructively to implement best practice where there may be resource constraints
• Awareness of own limitations and able to escalate as needed

Desirable

• Able to undertake clinical audit and surveillance

KEY ATTRIBUTES

Essential

• Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
• Calm & confident team player
• Excellent communication skills with patients, carers, Health Care professionals and colleagues

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).