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Northern Health and Social Care Trust is recruiting an Assistant Director of Infection Prevention and Control to provide strategic IPC leadership and assurance across the Trust and commissioned services. The post reports to the Executive Director of Nursing/DIPC and will guide the IPC programme with a focus on risk assessment, policy implementation and national guidance alignment.
As a senior IPC leader, you will chair outbreak control meetings, develop annual IPC reports, monitor KPIs and work
BAND: 8C
DIRECTORATE/DIVISION: Nursing, Corporate Support & Paediatric Services (NCSPS)
INITIAL LOCATION: Antrim Hospital – with the need to travel to all locations in the Trust as required by the demands of the post.
REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Nursing who is the identified leading Director for Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC) at Board Level.
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Executive Director of Nursing, Corporate Support & Paediatric Services
PROVISIONS AVAILABLE: Full-time working, Homeworking as appropriate
To function as a highly visible authoritative professional who provides assurance to the Exec Director of Nursing/DIPC and Senior Management Team, that systems and correct policies and procedures are in place across the organisation to ensure the safe delivery of safe and effective care across the Trust and in Commissioned Services such as Care Homes. Act as principal adviser to the Director of Infection Prevention and Control, ensuring timely escalation of infection control risks and provision of independent assurance regarding infection prevention and control arrangements across all Trust services. To provide strategic leadership to the infection prevention and control programme in order to ensure a high level of compliance with best practice across all programmes of care and Divisions and to provide assurance to the Director of Nursing/Director of Infection Prevention and Control that a safe effective infection prevention service and plans are in place. To work collaboratively with the Trust Infection Control Doctor/Consultant Microbiologist and key clinical leaders across all Trust Divisions to oversee the delivery of the Trust Infection Prevention and Control Strategy and to address any emerging Infection Control Risks. To assess the impact of all national and regional Infection Prevention and Control Guidance on all unscheduled and scheduled patient / service user pathways and lead on the Dynamic Risk Assessment to ensure best practice is employed. To chair and lead outbreak control meetings in line with Trust Outbreak Policy and implement improvement plans for mobilising all resources available to manage the incident/outbreak swiftly and effectively. To ensure the governance, accountability and visibility of the IPC agenda is robust, provides assurance and manages identified risks through the Infection Prevention and Control Committee, Strategic IPC Committee and the Trust Board, in collaboration with the Director of Infection Prevention and Control and the Infection Control Doctor. To provide expert advice and leadership to healthcare professionals Trustwide and to participate in Expert Reference Groups such as the Regional IPC Cell, Regional Healthcare Associated Infection Group and DOH Regional Anti-Microbial Expert Group. To maintain productive partnerships with key staff in RQIA, Public Health Agency, Department of Health, Strategic Planning and Performance Group and Care Home Management Teams to provide expert advice on Infection Prevention and Control. Lead on the development of the Trust IPC Annual Report and ensure timely production of reports as requested for Trust Board and Trust Assurance Committee. To lead on the review and update of the IPC Principal Risk register. To maintain and further develop a high quality, proactive, responsive and accessible infection control (IPC) service which can respond to emerging IPC incidents and plan for any potential global issues arising. Provide expert advice, challenge and assurance to Corporate Support Services and operational teams to ensure that clean, safe and well‑maintained healthcare environments are delivered and sustained across all Trust services. Work in partnership with Estates colleagues and IPC Doctor to provide specialist infection prevention and control input into capital developments, refurbishment projects and environmental design to ensure healthcare environments support safe patient care and compliance with national standards on water safety and ventilation systems. Provide robust challenge and assurance to Senior managers/leaders where standards of infection prevention and control fall below expected levels and oversee the development and monitoring of improvement plans. To provide senior strategic and operational support for the IPC agenda across the Trust working closely with Divisional Directors and Nurses, creating workable solutions and providing high level of expert advice. To take a lead role in planning and co‑ordinating surveillance programmes and control measures. To provide expert advice in performance management, policy development, risk management and control of infection procedures. To provide visible support for patient safety and co‑ordination of infection control practices in clinical areas and challenge poor performance in an effective, constructive and supportive manner. To plan in conjunction with the Corporate Nursing Team and education providers, the provision of education and training to staff across the Trust. As a senior member of the Corporate Nursing Team, contribute to the strategic leadership of nursing and quality services across the Trust, providing expert advice, supporting organisational improvement programmes and leading quality and safety initiatives aligned to Trust priorities. To support Senior Nurses and Midwies in evidencing, reviewing and improving standards of nursing and midwifery performance Trustwide.
Ensure the appropriate governance and risk management arrangements are in place for the services you are responsible for and take appropriate action to identify and manage risk and to maintain safety of users, staff and others in accordance with relevant regulations, policies and procedures;
It is essential to ensure that the highest standards of infection prevention and control are maintained to ensure patient and client safety and maintain confidence in the Trust.
As a Manager, you must ensure that you implement all instructions/ policy in this area and that all staff are made aware of and fully comply with these;
Where the post-holder has responsibility for managing a budget, ensure that services are managed and developed both in accordance with agreed and funded priorities as set out on a yearly basis and in accordance with Standing Financial Instructions, particularly ensuring your compliance with payroll documentation procedures and timescales;
Ensure the necessary arrangements are in place in regard to the ‘Knowledge and Skills Framework’ outlines, where this applies, for the posts for which you have management responsibility and ensure that each member of staff has an annual development and performance review, a personal development plan and that arrangements are in place to ensure that staff have maximum opportunity to progress through gateways in their pay bands and to contribute effectively towards our objectives;
Promote a culture of continuous service improvement amongst you staff, encouraging their participation and that of service users in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development;
Make sure you are trained and competent in the relevant policies and procedures which apply to the management of staff and other resources and abide by these policies; seeking advice as necessary from senior management or specialist staff as necessary;
Communicate effectively with staff and maintain productive working relationships amongst your staff and with others;
Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to staff in order to ensure optimum and effective service delivery and decision‑making, whilst retaining overall accountability and responsibility for outcomes;
Promote a culture of learning and development and facilitate arrangements for and participate in training and development of staff as agreed for the performance of their duties. Where training is in accordance with relevant standards make sure you have the relevant competences in order to carry out this responsibility;
Promote equality of opportunity for all by personal action, both in the management of your staff and in the provision of care to service users in accordance with the Trust’s Equality of Opportunity Policy and Equality Scheme;
Take responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of environmental cleanliness and for encouraging staff to maintain standards in their work area. Have an awareness of environmental issues and take appropriate action, for example to ensure the efficient use of energy and other resources, recycling etc.;
Make sure that staff are aware of Trust policies regarding the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.
Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:
At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
At all times demonstrate practice the HSC values of Working Together, Excellence, Openness & Honesty and Compassion.
Carry out their duties and responsibilities in a manner which assures patient and client safety.
Comply with all instructions in regard to Infection Prevention and Control.
Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations.
Adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course of their employment.
Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision.
Adhere to the Code of Conduct for HSC Employees which aims to guide staff, managers and employers in the work that they do and the decisions and choices they have to make. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.
The post holder will, in the event of a concern being raised with them, ensure that it is managed correctly under the NHSCT Raising Concerns Policy, and ensure feedback/learning is communicated at individual, team and organisational level regarding the concerns, and how they were resolved.
All employees of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including (for example) the ICT Security Policy, Data Quality and Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.
BAND 8c £76,965 – £88,682 per annum (pro-rata for part‑time)
Please note this role may not meet the requirements for a Skilled Worker visa (including a Heath and Care Worker visa) and the Trust therefore would be unable to employ anyone that requires Sponsorship. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration).
Normal full‑time hours of duty are 37½ hours per week, exclusive of meal times
Appointment will be subject to a successful pre‑employment health assessment.
27 days each year; 29 days after 5 years’ service; 33 days after 10 years’ service and 10 statutory and public holidays.
The post‑holder can participate in the Health Social Care Pension Scheme.
You can explore the benefits on offer to you in the Northern Trust by clicking here
You will serve a probationary period of normally six months.
Legacy Trust Staff who apply for a promotion after 1 April 2011 should be aware that they will lose their legacy protection arrangements and will be entitled to pay protection in accordance with circular HSS (JNF)(1) 2011. This circular will also apply to legacy staff who are currently in receipt of protection and who move post on promotion.
Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, will be an absolute disqualification.
We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder. We do not intend it to be rigid and inflexible but rather to provide guidelines within which the jobholder works.
(October 2026)
Title of Post: Assistant Director of Infection, Prevention and Control
Band of Post: 8C
Notes to applicants: You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.
Volunteering experience may be considered appropriate in particular for roles within the context of direct patient/client care.
Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment
Qualifications/ Registration/
Experience
Registered Nurse on the live NMC register;
Have a university Post Graduate qualification in Infection Prevention Control or a relevant Public Health related subject.
Educated to Degree level
Evidence of continuous professional development
A minimum of 5 years' experience within Infection Prevention and Control or Public Health related specialty, of which at least 2 years must have been at senior management level* within a large complex organisation*.
Demonstrate evidence of leading improvement in nursing or midwifery practice, resulting in improved standards of safe patient care and patient experience.
Demonstrate experience working with multiple key stakeholders including RQIA, PHA and Department of Health.
Evidence of effective leadership, expertise and education and innovation in infection control practice and patient safety.*
*Senior management is defined as Band 8A or above or Equivalent
* Complex Organisation is defined as one with at least 200 staff or an annual budget of at least £100 million
Other
Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.
Will be required to be flexible and may have to provide onsite presence at weekends/public holidays or during periods of surge/incidents when IPC intervention/advice may be required.
Knowledge
Value Based Recruitment is a process adopted by the Northern Trust to attract and select employees on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with those of the Trust. It focuses on the ‘how’ and ‘why’ people do what they do. Candidates who are short‑listed for interview will need to demonstrate at interview that they have the required knowledge, skills, competencies and values to be effective in this new role. In answering the value based questions you have the opportunity to share examples of when you have demonstrated values relevant to the Northern Trust.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from working with the Trust. This will depend on the nature of the position, together with the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate. Where it is necessary to obtain an Access NI disclosure the Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice (www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/accessni-code-practice). If you require further information or a copy of the policy on the recruitment of ex‑offenders or the policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information, please contact the Trust Human Resources Department.
The successful candidate will need to provide evidence and demonstrate their Leadership capabilities against the required dimension on the NHS Leadership framework. A shortlist of candidates for interview will be prepared on the basis of the information contained in the application form. It is therefore essential that all applicants demonstrate through their application how and to what extent their experience and qualities are relevant to this post and the extent to which they satisfy each criterion specified. An assessment centre may also be used as part of the short‑listing process.
Particular attention will be given to the following:
Successful applicants:
may be required to attend for a Health Assessment
can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.
have the right to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full‑time working, Fixed working patterns, Part‑time working, Flexi‑time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term‑time working, Job‑share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.
(October 2026)