Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Specialist in Harlow

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated Infection Prevention and Control professional to join our service as a Band 7 Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Nurse Specialist. The postholder will play a central role in delivering a high-quality, responsive IPC service across the organisation, working under the direction of the Deputy Director, and Deputy Lead Nurse for Infection Prevention.

As a key member of the team, the successful candidate will contribute to ensuring the Trust meets its statutory duties under the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections. They will offer expert clinical leadership, specialist advice, and professional support to staff at all levels, helping to embed safe, evidence-based practice throughout the hospital. You will be a positive, enthusiastic, and forward-thinking practitioner with substantial experience in infection prevention and control. The role requires excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, along with the confidence to influence practice and drive improvement across a range of clinical and nonclinical settings.

The postholder will play an active part in delivering the Trust’s IPC strategy and annual work programme, contributing to surveillance, audit, outbreak management, education and quality improvement initiatives.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide expert infection prevention and control (IPC) advice across the Trust, supporting safe, evidence-based clinical practice.
• Lead daily IPC activity including monitoring infections, advising on isolation and supporting outbreak management.
• Deliver training and education to staff at all levels, promoting best practice and raising IPC awareness.
• Contribute to the Trust’s IPC strategy, annual work plan and audit programme.
• Work collaboratively with clinical teams, Estates, project teams and external partners to ensure safe environments and high IPC standards.
• Support policy development, service improvement and implementation of national IPC guidance.
• Act as a visible clinical leader, supporting team members and occasionally deputising for senior IPC leaders.
• Participate in the IPC on-call rota, providing specialist advice out of hours.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme that is changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Details:

• Date posted: 27 January 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £50,008 to £56,908 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 000410
• Job locations: The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX

Job responsibilities:

The post holder will provide specialist infection prevention and control expertise across the Trust, leading patient reviews and incidents, isolation risk assessments, surveillance activity and outbreak support while maintaining a visible and accessible presence in clinical areas. They will give clear, evidence-based guidance to support safe clinical practice and effective infection prevention measures, working collaboratively with clinical teams, Microbiology, Estates and project leads to ensure high standards are consistently maintained. The role includes delivering induction and mandatory IPC training, supporting the IPC Link Practitioner programme, contributing to policy development, audits and the annual IPC work plan, and playing an active role in the ongoing development and support of IPC team members. The post holder will communicate effectively with staff, patients and visitors, deputise for senior IPC leaders when required, and participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota to provide timely specialist advice, helping drive infection reduction, patient safety and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Person Specification:

Essential Qualifications:

• NMC Level One Registration
• Specialist qualification in Infection Prevention and Control (BSc / Masters level) or in the process of working towards with relevant experience (developmental role may be considered if does not meet full requirements)
• Evidence of consistent professional and education development
• Teaching qualification or equivalent and relevant experience of teaching

Experience:

• Five years post registration experience
• Current experience of at least two years working in an infection prevention and control role at band 6 (or above), with experience in health / hospital setting.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary setting and able to communicate effectively with all disciplines of staff.
• Experience of teaching and delivering education at all levels

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.