Infection Prevention and Control Nurse

Overview

To provide infection prevention and control nursing services and expert advice in North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, ensuring the highest possible standards of practice in the prevention, surveillance and investigation of infection. To provide infection prevention and control advice as specified in Service Level Agreements. Work as part of a team with the infection prevention and control nursing staff, Infection Control Doctor and Microbiology staff, and liaise with external agencies and partners as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide an information flow to Senior Clinical Matrons, Heads of Service, General managers and Clinical Directors as required.
• Work as part of a team providing support for an assigned directorate.
• Be required to work with all staff and patients and be confident to professionally challenge poor practice at times.
• Represent the trust externally to share good practice and competently report back to the trust.
• Act as a specialist adviser to all staff in matters relating to infection prevention and control.
• Liaise and agree action with all necessary staff in the event of an outbreak of infection.
• Assist in the investigation of outbreaks of infection with specific reference to source, mode of spread and means of control, and implement plan for containment and prevention of further spread.
• Contribute to the IPCT clinical audit programme to continuously evaluate clinical procedures to ensure compliance with agreed infection prevention and control measures, recommending change when necessary to reduce risk trust wide, including implementation of research and recent validated advances in infection prevention and control.
• Identify and provide information and specialist education appropriate to need for different staff groups.
• Represent the Infection Prevention and Control Team on relevant committees, working groups etc. and provide active membership and appropriate specialist input.
• Participate in the production of infection prevention and control reports as necessary.
• Deliver formal and informal IPC training to a wide range of staff in different settings.
• Requirement to travel to different sites, as necessary.
• Provide counselling and/or information to patients, carers and staff on infection prevention and control measures relevant to their individual needs.
• Participate in the formulation and review of policies and guidelines for the prevention and control of infection.
• Contribute to QI projects and initiatives to improve IPC practice.
• Have an awareness of the Trust financial position and work efficiently and effectively to contribute to budgets.
• Act as a practice supervisor to students attached to the department as part of their training.
• Support junior members of the team and conduct appraisals as required.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure all relevant logs are kept up to date.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; work autonomously with the ability to prioritise own workload, with supervision available from the IPC team, IPC matron and IPC lead nurse.
• Maintain personal and professional development to meet changing job demands, participate in appropriate training activities and review performance regularly with a personal development plan at least every 12 months.
• Take responsibility for own actions and recognise strengths and weaknesses to devise strategies to enhance performance.
• Apply personal effectiveness skills in time management, prioritisation, resource management, self-motivation and teamwork.

Requirements & Conditions

• Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS): It is the policy that all successful candidates new to the Trust requiring DBS clearance pay the cost for the certificate, via salary deduction on commencement. The DBS check will be undertaken during pre-employment screening.
• Employment References: Provide references covering the last three years of employment history, including any gaps; include email addresses for referees. Personal references are not acceptable.
• Working Hours: Applications are welcome for less than full-time hours where advertised as up to 37.5 hours per week; requests will be considered in line with the post.
• We offer visa sponsorship for Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visas, subject to eligibility. See Skilled Worker visa guidance.
• South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust form University Hospitals Tees and may require work at any site across both Trusts.

About the Organization

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust our priority is to provide safe, high-quality care. We support staff with an inclusive workplace, wellness initiatives, staff benefits and opportunities for personal and professional development. We recognise staff through various awards and recognition schemes. We promote Making Every Contact Count for health and wellbeing and recruit for our values: Together we are North Tees & Hartlepool. We are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and support Reservists and veterans.