Job summary
To work autonomously as a qualified specialist infection prevention and control practitioner responsible, within the operational scope of the Infection Prevention and Control team, for facilitating the prevention, surveillance, investigation and control of infection within the Trust, based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site but being able to work on the University Lewisham site if required.
The post will involve five days working including a weekend day on a rota basis in order to provide a seven-day service.
The role will require you to provide specialist nurse advice and teaching to all staff on matters relating to infection control under direction of the site matron.
The post holder will also be required to operate flexibly within the infection prevention and control team structure to ensure that a comprehensive service is provided to the Trust, and when necessary to act up and deputise for senior team members.
Main duties of the job
1. Assist with the day to day work within the IPCT, including carrying out audits and inspections.
2. Giving specialist advice across the site on a number of complex issues.
3. Provide training to staff of all professions and grades.
4. Reviewing microbiology results and advising on appropriate infection control measures.
5. Facilitating surveillance, prevention and investigation for a variety of healthcare associated infections. Providing early detection of outbreaks and providing appropriate advice on outbreak management and liaising with the Site Matron and Deputy DIPC.
6. Acting as a role model both within the team and externally. Providing visible presence in clinical areas, being an advocate and challenging poor practice.
7. Utilising a range of excellent communication skills, verbal and written. Provide IPCT representation, e.g., at Divisional governance meetings and/committees. Assisting the Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control in the development of Trust wide policies in infection prevention and control.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
3. Improving the experience of staff with disability
4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
5. Making equalities mainstream
Date posted: 14 April 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 7
Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year Per annum plus HCA
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 197-HF6665
Job locations
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Stadium Road
London
SE18 4QH
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical /managerial
1. Participate in delivering an effective clinical service to the Trust, including providing specialist nursing input within the infection prevention and control team in the identification, prevention, monitoring and control of infection within the Trust.
2. To act up for senior members of the team as appropriate in their absence
3. Provide expert clinical knowledge, skills and experience in infection control, acting as a resource and facilitator as required.
4. To provide effective communication with patients, their relatives and relevant others to impart information and support, which may be of a sensitive and emotive nature.
5. To explain the significance of microbiology data to senior members of staff to enable them to prevent and control infection.
6. To work in conjunction with managers, infection prevention and control team, matrons, bed managers and ward sisters regarding movement and isolation of patients with infection or infectious diseases, ensuring the correct techniques are implemented and reviewed.
7. Review microbiological data to evaluate the efficiency of the intervention and plan future practice.
8. Assist in the formulation and initiation of appropriate strategies to minimise the risk of infection.
9. To identify potential infections hazards and suggest appropriate remedial action to relevant personnel. Initiate appropriate strategies to minimise the risk of infection.
10. To identify, investigate and assist in managing outbreaks involving multidisciplinary teams, seeking advice from those with expertise outside the Trust where necessary and report to the Infection Prevention and Control team, the Trust Infection Prevention and Control committee and others where relevant.
11. To visit wards/departments regularly to manage alert organisms and implement appropriate action, ensuring correct techniques are implemented and reviewed.
12. To liaise with Infection Prevention and Control team on matters relating to infection control.
13. To use relevant information technology to collect and interpret data, review critical incidents and produce written reports with recommendations where necessary.
14. To maintain complete records of patient management consultations and advice given.
15. To be an active member of the Infection Prevention and Control team and relevant committees.
16. To participate in the development and implementation of the annual infection control programme and contribute to the annual infection control report.
17. To revise and develop Trust policies/protocols relating to infection control.
18. To work autonomously and seek collaborative relationships with others across and within professional boundaries to access and manage infection risk.
19. To establish and maintain professional networks within the healthcare organisation inclusive of doctor, microbiologist, matron, ward sister/charge nurse, link practitioner, contracted services for soft and hard FM and nursing staff.
20. To formulate and initiate strategies to reduce infection risk, taking into account relevant legislation, published guidelines and local policies.
21. To act as an expert resource for staff at a clinical level in infection control, distinguishing levels of risk presented by individuals, equipment and the environment.
22. Review critical incidents and produce written reports with recommendations as necessary.
23. Investigate causes and develop solutions to complex infection control problems that may require root cause analysis, investigation, negotiation and advanced change management skills. This may involve conflict resolution and mediation.
24. To prioritise own workload taking into account varying demands and resources.
25. To support service level agreements for the provision of infection control services where applicable.
26. To support the organisation to implement and monitor strategies to prevent and control infection both locally and nationally.
27. To inspire others with values and vision through support in daily activities by communicating infection control data to ward areas and visiting clinical areas for the purpose of support, audit and observation.
28. Develop clinical guidelines that are evidence based to promote good infection control practice with other members of the Infection Prevention and Control team.
Education
1. To formulate and implement teaching and learning strategies for different groups of clinical and non-clinical staff. This will include pre-registration and postgraduate education, formal and informal teaching.
2. To identify, assess and meet the educational needs of the patient and their family.
3. To maintain a high profile at ward level to ensure attitudes and working practices reflect the Infection Prevention and Control team commitment to a continual improvement in the quality of its service.
4. To prepare and use a variety of methods to deliver appropriate information effectively.
5. To evaluate the effectiveness of strategies used to facilitate the learning of others.
6. To recognise and use opportunities to facilitate learning, providing situational support as necessary.
Clinical Research
1. To critically evaluate information and research to formulate advice on the prevention and control of infection.
2. To incorporate relevant legislation, national and local guidance and public issues to provide advice.
3. To synthesise evidence to produce written material in a logical and structured format that is appropriate for staff use.
4. To participate with microbiologist and appropriate clinical staff in research projects that relate to hospital infection, acting as a facilitator as required.
5. To promote research-based infection control practice by participating in research and development.
Surveillance and Audit
1. To monitor infection control aspects of the environment, ensuring agreed standards are met with the use of environmental audit tools and observations within clinical areas of the Trust.
2. If required, to plan, organise and coordinate surveillance programmes.Critically appraise and evaluate infection control practice through a structured audit programme.
3. Distinguish levels of risk presented by individuals, equipment and the environment, auditing when necessary and advising accordingly.
4. To assist in the identification and development of suitable audit tools as necessary for the targeted surveillance of hospital-acquired infections, as required.
5. To maintain links with wards/units/departments in order to initiate and develop targeted surveillance projects.
6. Identify sources of expert opinion, evidence and information to assess risks.
7. Implementation of audit programmes for improvement of patient care and the reduction of infection rates.
8. To correlate information and analyse data. To actively seek out information and peer review.
9. To produce logical, structured written reports for the infection Prevention and Control team and other relevant clinical staff.
10. To use the Infection Control software system, and be responsible for entering relevant data into appropriate IT systems.
11. To communicate clinical problems of significance to other members of the Infection Prevention and Control team.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* At least 5 years post registration experience of which 2 years must have been spent working in an infection control role
Desirable
* Experience at ward/department management level.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
* Excellent presentational, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.
Desirable
* Developed IT skills e.g., with Excel and Access.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Stadium Road, London, SE18 4QH
Employer's website: https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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