Infection Prevention Control Lead

INTEGRATED CARE 24; Ashford; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A not-for-profit NHS primary care social enterprise is seeking an experienced Infection Prevention and Control Lead. This pivotal role involves strategic leadership in ensuring effective infection prevention practices across services, collaborating with clinical leaders and partners. The ideal candidate should be a registered healthcare professional with extensive IPC experience and exceptional communication skills. This position offers the chance to have a meaningful impact on patient safety in a diverse healthcare environment, along with benefits for personal and professional development.

Benefits

Additional annual leave based on service

Opportunity to join NHS Pension Scheme

Free 24/7 counselling service

Ongoing learning and development

Access to Blue Light Card and NHS discounts

Membership to reward and discount platform

Qualifications

• Registered healthcare professional (NMC or HCPC).
• Experienced in IPC at a senior or specialist level.
• Knowledge of audit, outbreak management, and policy development.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic IPC initiatives across the organisation.
• Develop and implement IPC policies.
• Oversee surveillance of healthcare-associated infections.
• Support infection incident investigations.
• Educate clinical and non-clinical teams on IPC best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Infection Prevention and Control

Communication

Surveillance and Audit

Autonomous Working

Education

Post-registration qualification in IPC

Masters qualification or leadership training

Job description

Infection Prevention and Control Lead

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Lead to join our Quality, Safety and Governance team based in either Ashford, Norwich or Ipswich.

This is a pivotal leadership role at IC24, where you will take the lead on Infection Prevention and Control across the organisation, helping to protect patients, colleagues and communities by ensuring the highest standards of IPC practice are embedded across all services.

Working closely with clinical leaders, operational teams and system partners, you will provide expert advice, strategic leadership and assurance on all aspects of infection prevention and control. You will play a key role in reducing healthcare-associated infections, strengthening outbreak preparedness and ensuring IC24 remains compliant with national guidance and best practice.

Reporting to the Director of Clinical Governance, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a values-driven social enterprise committed to patient safety, quality and continuous improvement.

What Youll Be Doing

• Providing strategic and professional leadership for Infection Prevention and Control across IC24
• Leading the development, review and implementation of IPC policies in line with the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM)
• Overseeing surveillance of alert organisms and healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs)
• Supporting and contributing to the investigation and management of infection incidents and outbreaks, including participation in Outbreak Control Teams where required
• Leading and supporting root cause analysis and learning from infection-related incidents
• Developing and delivering IPC audit programmes and reporting findings to drive service improvement
• Educating, advising and influencing clinical and non-clinical colleagues to ensure evidence-based IPC practice
• Producing regular reports, including contributions to the Annual Infection Control Programme and Annual Infection Control Report
• Working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners including ICBs, Public Health and local authorities
• Ensuring a risk‑based approach to IPC that places patient safety at the centre of decision‑making

About You

You are an experienced IPC professional with the confidence and credibility to lead across a complex healthcare organisation. You combine specialist clinical knowledge with strong communication skills and a collaborative approach.

We're looking for someone who is :

• A registered healthcare professional (NMC or HCPC)
• Experienced in Infection Prevention and Control at a senior or specialist level
• Knowledgeable in surveillance, audit, outbreak management and policy development
• Confident working autonomously while influencing practice across diverse teams
• A clear and effective communicator, both verbally and in writing
• Organised, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities
• A post‑registration qualification in Infection Prevention and Control is essential (or a willingness to work towards this). A masters qualification or leadership / management training is desirable.

Why IC24?

We're a major not-for-profit NHS primary care social enterprise, delivering innovative services that improve access to care and reduce pressure on secondary care. Every surplus we generate is reinvested into our people, services and communities.

At IC24, you'll find :

• A supportive and inclusive culture focused on learning and improvement
• The opportunity to influence patient safety and quality across a complex health system
• A leadership team committed to collaboration, innovation and values‑led care
• Work that genuinely makes a difference to patients and communities

Additional Information

• Location : Ashford, Norwich or Ipswich (with travel across IC24 services as required)
• Hours : 18.75 hours per week
• Days : Tuesdays & another of your choosing
• Contract : Permanent
• Salary : £32,831.25 per annum / pro rata

• Benefits include :
• Additional annual leave above the statutory minimum based on service
• Opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
• Free 24 / 7 independent counselling service
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Access to Blue Light Card and NHS Discount Schemes
• Membership to our reward and discount platform

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're an experienced Infection Prevention and Control professional who is passionate about patient safety and system‑wide improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

We celebrate brave ideas and brave people.

Apply now at careers.ic24.org.uk .