Infection Prevention And Control Practitioner

Dorset Healthcare University Nhs Foundation Trust; Southmoor; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom is seeking a registered healthcare professional for a Band 5 developmental Infection Prevention and Control post with progression to Band 6. You will work with IPC colleagues, receiving supervision and following a structured development programme.

Progression depends on competency achievement, training, and demonstrated IPC knowledge, skills and leadership. DBS check is required; visa sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Must be a registered healthcare professional with current UK registration.
• Commitment to infection prevention and control (IPC).
• Willing to participate in Band 5 to Band 6 development pathway.
• Experience and understanding of audits or education in healthcare desirable.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide IPC advice, education and guidance to staff, patients and service users.
• Support clinical teams to assess and manage infection risks and ensure IPC compliance.
• Participate in IPC incidents and outbreak investigations and record keeping.
• Contribute to IPC surveillance, audits, post-infection reviews and quality improvement.
• Review and develop IPC policies and deliver IPC education and training.
• Analyse IPC data to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain awareness of national IPC guidance and apply it.
• Undertake the Band 5 to Band 6 development programme.

Skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Organisation & prioritisation

Band 5–Band 6 development pathway

Teamwork

Education

UK professional registration (NMC/HCPC etc.)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job summary

Are you a registered healthcare professional with an interest in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and a passion for improving patient safety and quality of care?

We have a vacancy within our team for a band 5 developmental role. This role has been designed to support progression to a Band 6 Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner position.

You will work alongside experienced IPC practitioners and receive support and supervision while undertaking a structured development programme. Progression will be subject to successful achievement of the agreed competency framework, required training and qualifications, and demonstration of the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for autonomous Band 6 practice.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Main duties of the job

• Provide Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) advice, education and guidance to staff, patients and service users. Support clinical teams to assess and manage infection risks, implement appropriate precautions and promote compliance with IPC policies and evidence-based practice.
• Participate in the assessment and management of IPC incidents and outbreaks, supporting investigations, timely interventions and accurate record keeping.
• Contribute to IPC surveillance, clinical audit, post‑infection reviews, service evaluation and quality improvement, using findings to improve patient safety and standards of care.
• Support the review and development of IPC policies and contribute to the design and delivery of IPC education and training.
• Analyse IPC information, identify risks and opportunities for improvement, and develop the confidence to appropriately challenge poor practice.
• Maintain awareness of national IPC guidance and evidence and apply this to practice.
• Undertake the agreed Band 5 to Band 6 development programme, building the specialist clinical, professional, leadership and educational competencies required for autonomous IPC practice.

Employment in this post requires an Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined‑up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward‑looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000‑strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over‑reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidates individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [e-mail]

Person Specification

Essential

• Registered healthcare professional, or due to qualify following successful completion of a recognised programme leading to registration with a relevant professional body.

Desirable

• Experience and understanding of research, education and/or audit within healthcare.
• Experience and understanding of research, education and/or audit within healthcare.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and develop positive professional relationships.
• Ability to appropriately challenge practice and support evidence-based improvement.
• Ability to use own initiative appropriately while working within own level of competence and authority.

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, service users, visitors and external organisations at different levels.

Essential

• Confident in the use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, presentation software and databases.

Essential

• Ability to organise and prioritise workload and use initiative within own sphere of responsibility.

Essential

• Commitment to developing specialist IPC knowledge and completing the Band 5 to Band 6 developmental pathway.

Desirable

• Experience and understanding of research, education and/or audit within healthcare.

Desirable

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and develop positive professional relationships.

Desirable

• Ability to appropriately challenge practice and support evidence-based improvement.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Forston Clinic, Herrison Rd, Charlton Down, Dorchester, DT2 9TB, United Kingdom

Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Infection prevention and control Lead
Donna Kiss
[e-mail]
07766698155

Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)