Infection Prevention & Control Nurse

Somerset NHS Charity; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a forward-thinking healthcare organization as an Infection Prevention & Control Nurse. This full-time, permanent role involves working within a dedicated team to promote best practices in infection prevention across multiple sites. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in nursing, with a passion for infection control and the ability to motivate and educate others. Join a team committed to delivering high-quality care and making a real difference in the community. If you're ready to take on this rewarding challenge, we encourage you to apply!

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse/Midwife with experience in Infection Prevention and Control.
• Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist IPC knowledge and training to staff.
• Manage infectious outbreaks and provide IPC advice.
• Conduct audits and improve IPC practices across the organization.

Skills

Infection Prevention and Control

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Presentation Skills

Teamwork

Education

Registered Nurse/Midwife with valid NMC registration

Post-registration qualification in Infection Control

Recognised teaching and assessing qualification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Main area Corporate Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Required to cover on call sessions) Job ref 435-C032-25

Employer East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Blackburn Hospital - but will be supporting all ELHT Sites Town Blackburn Salary £37,338 - £44,962 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 16/05/2025 23:59

Infection Prevention & Control Nurse

NHS AfC: Band 6

At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Infection Prevention & Control Team at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, on a full time, permanent contract.

We are looking to appoint a self-motivated and innovative registered nurse or midwife with proven post registration experience and a genuine enthusiasm for infection prevention and control. A positive attitude and a flexible approach is necessary, and you must be a team player with the ability to motivate staff with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

You will have the following:

• Broad clinical experience.
• Excellent presentation and analytical skills.
• The ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team
• Ideally you will have a recognised Infection Prevention and Control Degree/Diploma and/or equivalent Infection Prevention & Control knowledge/experience.
• Full current UK driving license and ability to travel between trust locations.

Main duties of the job

The post holder would work as a member of the IPC Team delivering specialist IPC knowledge, education and training. Responding to IPC emergencies, taking part in the management of infectious outbreaks, identifying opportunities for and taking part in IPC improvement projects. Facilitating the implementation of organisation-wide IPC policies and audits.

This post has line management responsibilities

See JD for further information

Working for our organisation

ELHT are committed to reducing healthcare-associated infections and delivering the best possible outcomes for the population that we serve. With 1070 inpatient beds we deliver care across multiple sites as well as in the community and infection prevention and control is a priority for all of the our services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide specialist IPC advice, support & guidance, promoting evidence-based best practice. Undertaking patient reviews and advising the multi-professional team on IPC precautions following review of specific patients/situations.

Working with trust colleagues/supervisors & specialist departments to advise and provide support on an ad hoc basis e.g. PSA, clinical site team etc. escalate any issue to Line Manager.

Identify and provide advice for risks/problems pertaining to IPC practice, escalating as applicable.

Providing information to identify the need for education on specific IPC topics and delivering IPC education and training formally, informally and opportunistically, alongside senior staff.

Undertake ward assessments/walkarounds/improvement visits to identify areas of practice that are not in keeping with IPC principles/trust policy and provide timely feedback.

Providing advice and support for staff on the safe and effective decontamination of equipment and the environment.

Using professional judgment to initiate audits as a tool for measurement and to support learning/associated action planning.

Carry out audits as set out in the IPC Annual Workplan under the direction of senior staff.

Escalating and seeking support for any significant concerns from all aspects of your work which require address beyond your remit and area of expertise to the Co-ordinator/Line Manager as applicable.

Advise and assist in the management of outbreaks and infection-related incidents.

Manage the screening and provision of treatments.

Contribute towards local written information (e.g. patient information leaflets, IPC SOP's)

Identify opportunities for IPC associated quality improvement projects and discuss a plan of action with senior staff

Deputise in the absence of the band 7.

To provide written reports for work undertaken as applicable.

Report incidents and healthcare-associated infections via the Datix system as applicable.

Person specification

Other

• Access to a vehicle for work purposes

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse/Midwife with valid NMC registration.
• An active interest in Infection Prevention and Control matters in the healthcare setting.
• Further education around specific infection prevention topics such as Environmental Infection Control, Decontamination
• Post-registration qualification in Infection Control at Degree Level (Certificate in Infection Control or equivalent)
• Recognised teaching and assessing qualification or equivalent

Experience

• Relevant experience working at AFC Band 5 (or equivalent) within an acute healthcare environment.
• Experience as Infection Prevention and Control Link Worker or able to demonstrate specific application of Infection Prevention and Control knowledge in clinical areas
• Experience of implementing changes in clinical practice
• Experience in a management/leadership post
• Sound understanding of control of infection concepts
• Demonstrate ability in the use computer software packages internet and hospital networks
• Ability to understand, absorb and comply with detailed procedures
• Research or audit experience

Knowledge and Skills

• IT/Computer Skills including working knowledge of MS Office packages
• Evidence of delivering training
• Participation and/or co-ordination in formal and informal teaching programmes specific to speciality

Personal Attributes

• Evidence of commitment to continuous learning and application in practice
• Proven communication skills both verbal and written. Effective listening skills
• Ability to organise, manage and prioritise workload effectively
• The ability to manage stressful situations
• Able to work extra hours on occasions and provide reasonable flexibility in terms of hours worked e.g. bank holidays, on- call rota, etc.
• Willing to adapt to the changing needs of the service
• Friendly and caring manner- demonstrate ability in dealing sympathetically and sensitively with people
• Proven ability to work in a team and be supportive of team members.
• Proven ability to use own initiative and work without close supervision
• Proven ability to keep information confidential

Dear Potential Applicant,

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.

Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS)

If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained.

The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed.

The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.

This cost is not applicable for a Volunteer post

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The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust.

We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background.

We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible. By telephone [phone] or email [e-mail] write to Employment Services, Parkview Offices, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.