Infection Prevention & Control Nurse

NHS; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Infection Prevention & Control Team in a leading healthcare trust. This role involves delivering specialist knowledge, education, and training to enhance infection prevention practices across multiple sites. The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated registered nurse or midwife with a passion for improving healthcare outcomes. You'll have the chance to work collaboratively with a dedicated team, manage infection-related incidents, and contribute to quality improvement projects. If you're looking to make a real difference in patient care and thrive in a supportive environment, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Proven post-registration experience in Infection Prevention and Control.
• Ability to motivate staff and work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist IPC advice and support across multiple sites.
• Undertake audits and facilitate IPC improvement projects.

Skills

Infection Prevention and Control

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Teamwork

Presentation Skills

IT/Computer Skills

Education

Registered Nurse/Midwife with valid NMC registration

Post-registration qualification in Infection Control

Recognised teaching and assessing qualification

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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

About us

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.

Job 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

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.

Royal Blackburn Hospital - but will be supporting all ELHT Sites

Royal Blackburn Hospital - but will be supporting all ELHT Sites