Head of Infection Prevention

Job overview

The Nursing & Quality Department have an exciting opportunity to join them, as Head of Infection Prevention and Physical Health. We are looking for a compassionate, proactive individual who will provide expertise in working, supporting, and contributing to these workstreams to improve the quality of healthcare provision and strengthen professional leadership within Infection prevention & Control and Physical Health in Mental Health across the GMMH trust footprint.

The postholder will assist with the development, delivery, reporting and promotion of related workstreams under this portfolio ensuring highly visible services, whilst supporting the implementation of national guidance/best practice into trust policy, and ensuring this is effectively communicated out to all colleagues and implemented into services. 

Main duties of the job

As a key clinical leader and an integral part of our leadership team, you will support the Leads for IPC/Resuscitation/Physical health to lead the services and the team, advising the Associate Director of IPC/Physical Health and Chief Nurse (DIPC), on all matters relating to IPC and Physical Health in Mental Health. You will innovate practice in both workstreams and support organisational change, up-taking initiatives that provide excellence in IPC/Physical Health in order to ensure effective management of all patients at increased risk of acquiring an infection, at risk of deteriorating from a physical health perspective including long term conditions and in particular those patients with diagnosed infections.

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original, and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment, and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour, and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This senior level post will lead the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) and Physical Health in Mental Health (PhinMH) function, within the Trust under the direction of the Associate Director of, Infection Prevention & Control/Physical Health. The role is to improve the quality of healthcare provision and strengthen professional leadership within Infection Prevention and Control and Physical Health in Mental Health provision.

The post holder will have an advanced level of autonomy and be able to develop policies and related procedures and write Board level reports. They will also be a member of the senior nursing leadership team for the Trust and will lead on Trust-wide nursing projects and programmes.

The post-holder will provide leadership across the integrated healthcare agenda, ensuring professional practice standards are upheld across the organisation. The infection prevention & control/physical health in mental health agenda has senior operational support including Service Leads and clinical specialists including resuscitation and tobacco dependency.

The overall purpose of the post is to:

Provide strategic vision and leadership in their specialist fields. Manage the Service leads and or clinical nurse specialists where needed ensuring high standards of work and effective management of team members. Provide both an advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of infection prevention and control/health protection and physical health issues and act as one of the Trusts experts.

Please see attached job description and person specification

Staff benefits

Pay Enhancements – 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays. 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years Excellent pension Cycle to work scheme Salary sacrifice car scheme Wellbeing programme

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Registered Nurse and relevant degree or equivalent qualification Relevant master’s degree or equivalent experience Teaching qualification Relevant post registration specialist physical health/IPC qualifications infection control management/wound care/diabetes modules

Desirable criteria

Member of Infection Prevention and Control Society or equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria

Significant experience working in the field of Infection Prevention and Control across a range of provisions including acute/mental health/community or Physical Health in Mental Health. Varied experience, including management and clinical roles. •Evidence of providing practice development and teaching experience and experience of developing complex reports

Desirable criteria

Experience in communicable diseases. Experience of leading quality management processes. •Experience of working in Mental health services

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Working knowledge of Infection Prevention and Control Health Protection legislation, standards, and guidance Knowledge and ability to advise on physical healthcare assessments and skills. Significant knowledge of patient safety and nursing practice issues.

Desirable criteria

Knowledge of mental health services. Working knowledge of requirements for resuscitation policy and practice Working knowledge and ability to advise on a range of medical devices

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

Highly developed use of Microsoft Office software Able to produce concise and clear reports. Able to work positively with all staff to support quality improvement. Effective report writing and analytical skills

Other

Essential criteria

Must be able and prepared to travel between all Trust sites. May be required to deliver difficult messages to staff, regulators, commissioners, and patients.

 Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.

Sponsorship will be offered for eligible roles that meet the salary requirements. Please review guidance from the UK Government . Please note, most health and care jobs must have a salary of at least £23,300, and other eligible jobs may require have a salary of £38,700 or higher, depending on your individual circumstances.

Do you have experience outside the NHS?

We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities. 

We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.

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