Infection Prevention and Control Nurse

Job Title -Infection Prevention and Control Nurse

Perm/Fixed Term-Permanent

Closing Date-27.05.2024

Interview Date-05.06.2024

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) team at George Eliot Hospital. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join our team as an Infection Prevention & Control specialist working at band 6 to join our hard working, friendly & supportive team.

The role will require you to work across the trust and also provide IPC specialist support within our Community Sexual Health and Dental Clinics.

The post holder will be responsible for providing specialist IPC advice and support staff and teams working in both the acute and community settings to ensure good adherence to good practice in IPC.

This post may close early due to high numbers of applications so you are advised to apply promptly.

All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.

A great and friendly place to work, so bring your passion, commitment and expertise and enjoy the opportunities to make a difference every day.

Careers at George Eliot - 'Where you make a difference'

Main duties of the job

Be a key member of the Infection Prevention & Control Team providing a proactive, Infection Prevention & Control Service (IPC) for the Trust.

Provide support and specialist advice to all staff, patients, and members of the public regarding the prevention and control of infection.

To promote the reduction in incidence of infection across the Trust. Through the provision of expert advice, risk assessment, surveillance, audit, education and the development of specialised protocols, policies and guidance.

To support the senior IPC nurses in ensuring the Trust is compliant with all local and national legislation including the Health & Social Care Act (2008).

About us

Here at George Eliot our vision to ' excel at patient care' takes centre stage. An ever evolving clinically-led acute service provider we are on a journey to continually provide high quality, safe and responsive services delivered by inspiring, friendly and compassionate staff who share our corporate values which underpin everything we do. Our values are not just words on a piece of paper, they bond us together, reflect our ambition and shape who we are:

E ffective Open Communication

e x cellence and safety in everything we do

C hallenge but support

E xpect respect and dignity

L ocal health that inspires confidence

Benefits: On-site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plus bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, extensive in-house course learning directory, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on-site parking.

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. Provide specialist advice in the area of infection prevention & control to all health care staff through provision of evidence based advice, guidance and policies to improve the quality of care within the GEH NHS Trust.

2. Provide information/advice regarding infection prevention & control to patients and their visitors/relatives and contribute to the development of patient information resources.

3. To maintain a presence in the clinical areas working with the clinical teams to help prevent infections.

4. To work with external organisations e.g. CCG and Public Health England to share relevant information, and implement agreed standards and protocols.

5. Maintain systems for accurate record keeping and report writing, including the National data bases, maintaining confidentiality.

6. Investigate outbreaks and incidents of infection with other members of the Infection Prevention & Control Team to determine cause, associated risk factors and required intervention.

7. Keep senior management informed about significant infection control risks and situations in their clinical areas.

8. Contribute to the production, updates, implementation and monitoring of infection prevention & control policies and guidelines in collaboration with other experts and specialists, promoting and facilitating evidence based infection prevention & control practice.

9. Contribute to the weekend Infection Prevention & Control cover offering support and guidance to the Trust staff regarding infections and outbreaks.

10. Be a strong patient advocate ensuring that patient care reflects the high clinical standards of the Trust and that patients are treated with dignity and respect. Communicating sensitive and complex information, recognising barriers to understanding taking into account the possibility of hostility.

11. Advise and support staff regarding cleaning and decontamination, ensuring the appropriate policies are adhered to.

12. Participate and support the Infection Prevention & Control Health Care Support Worker with investigation of health care associated infection (HCAI) surveillance, including surgical site surveillance.

13. Assessing and interpreting HCAIs when notified by the laboratory and liaising with the wards regarding patients care and treatment.

Educational

1. Devise, implement and evaluate education and training for all staff within the Trust, in conjunction with the senior nurses in the Infection Prevention & Control Team and other educational providers.

2. Take responsibility for own evidence based practice and add to own body of knowledge by keeping up to date with current infection prevention & control developments.

3. Participate in reflective practice and share learning to improve clinical care.

4. Attend and represent the Trust at external study days and conferences.

5. Contribute to internal study days and support the link practitioner role.

6. Devise patient information leaflets and ensure patients understand their infections and treatment.

7. An integral part of the annual flu vaccination programme within the Trust, carrying out vaccination sessions.

8. Training staff to carry out Aseptic Non-touch technique (ANTT) when inserting cannulas, taking blood cultures and other aseptic procedures.

9. Work with students ensuring they follow standard infection prevention precautions, support clinical supervision with all staff.

Audit and Surveillance

1. Organise and undertake audits of wards and departments to ensure that infection prevention & control procedures are being carried out in accordance with policies and guidelines. Provide feedback and support the development of action plans and risk assessments.

2. Contribute to and participate in the infection prevention & control surveillance programmes in line with national guidelines and local requirements. Ensure appropriate evaluation and feedback takes place and support the development of action plans.

3. Use surveillance data to identify infection trends and identify appropriate interventions with other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Research and development

1. Engage and lead research and development opportunities to advance patient care and service development.

2. Critically appraise research and use this to inform clinical practice.

3. Look to contribute to the body of evidence nationally by writing papers, producing poster presentations and speaking at national / regional conferences to share knowledge and learning.

Leadership & Management

1. Represent the Infection Prevention & Control Team at appropriate meetings.

2. Contribute to relevant reports including the Annual Infection Prevention & Control Report.

3. Contribute to the annual Infection Prevention & Control programme.

4. Build collaborative relationships with teams and colleagues across the Trust and external partners. Supporting outside contracts such as the community dental service and sexual health service across Warwickshire.

5. Act as a source of expert advice at the planning stage of new capital projects and the modification and upgrading of existing hospital premises.

6. Participate in the review and evaluation of the Infection Prevention & Control Service.

7. Contribute to the development of the Infection Prevention & Control Service.

8. Coach and support other health care workers within the Trust and wider community.

9. Act in a professional, supportive and sensitive manner when communicating with staff, patients or relatives by phone.

Personal Development

1. Identify personal development needs with the line manager.

2. Develop and maintain knowledge in the speciality of infection prevention & control through reflection on practice, attending professional meetings, relevant courses and conferences as well as self-directed study. .

.3 Maintain a current professional portfolio and ensure compliance with relevant registration requirements, NMC/ HPAP.

4. Enhance own knowledge and qualifications by attending a degree level infection prevention and control management course.

Relationships

Members of the Infection Prevention & Control Team including the Microbiologists and Antimicrobial Pharmacists.

Clinical Managers, Matrons, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Ward Managers,

Facilities and Estates

Bed Management

CCG Infection Prevention & Control Nurse

Community Dental Team

Community Sexual Health Team

Special requirements

Take individual responsibility to ensure working practice is safe:

Ability to work on own initiative or as part of a team

May be required to work in a community setting, carrying out audits and education involving driving to locations

Role entails walking around the Trust daily visiting wards, standing to present education/training sessions

Sitting for long periods in front of a computer

Person Specification Experience and Knowledge

• Demonstrable post registration experience in an acute healthcare setting at band 5
• Evidence of multi-disciplinary working
• Experience of working in an infection prevention and control environment or as a link Practitioner, in Infection Prevention & Control, demonstrate using IPC in working practice
• Experience of Research & Audit

Qualification and Professional Training

• Professional Qualification NMC / HCPC
• Other specific attainments (Evidence of CPD))
• Commitment to undertake appropriate specialist training
• Teaching qualification, or evidence of teaching and mentoring.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong presentation skills and ability to convey complex information clearly
• Build and maintain effective communication between all members of the multidisciplinary team
• Ability to deal with complex or stressful situations involving staff, patients and relatives
• Competent user of computer software including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook & Power Point
• Accuracy and attention to detail in relation to computer data entry and recording of information and policy formation

Personal Qualities

• Ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Ability to work calmly and effectively when under pressure
• Ability to organise time to meet competing priorities
• Understand the limitations of your knowledge and ability
• An enquiring and open minded approach
• Demonstrates resilience
• Act as a resource for IPC across the local health economy
• Adaptable
• Ability to critically assess research and other sources of new knowledge Able to assess, plan and implement care pathways within National guidelines
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication
• Ability to build constructive working relationships with all staff groups

Other

• Ability to travel to all Trust departments and sites including at short notice.
• Car Driver
• Willingness to participate in the On-call rota

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.

Matron for Infection Prevention & Control

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