An exciting opportunity for an experienced and ambitious IPC nurse has become available to join the Infection Prevention & Control Team at Bedford Hospital as a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
This role will suit those with experience in IPC, looking to undertake supported development into a more senior role. The successful applicant will work closely with and be supported by the Senior IPC nursing team and DIPC to lead a comprehensive IPC service.
Acting as an expert IPC practitioner, the post holder will lead on risk assessment, surveillance, audit, training & education, policies & guideline development. Deputising for the Senior IPC nurse as required, the post holder will also undertake line management responsibilities and support the nursing and admin teams professional development.
The successful candidate will be based at Bedford Hospital, but will on occasion be required to visit satellite sites and the Luton & Dunstable Hospital. The role will involve 7 day working, with the expectation of working approximately 1 in 4 weekends., The post holder will:
· Work closely with the Director of IPC and the IPC Team in the planning, provision and promotion of a comprehensive 7-day service for the Trust.
· Work under the direction of but with minimal supervision of the senior IPC nursing team, so as to provide comprehensive assistance and support to the IPC team across Bedford hospital and community satellite clinics.
· Deputise for and manage the day to day running of core business functions in the absence of the senior IPC nursing team and will supervise and support the team.
· Work to ensure compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice for the NHS on the prevention and control of HAI and related guidance.
· Work in partnership with key stakeholders across the local health economy to respond to the evolving infection prevention agenda demonstrating innovative and inspirational leadership.
· Communicate effectively with key individuals and groups.
· Be responsible for the provision of advice, training and information to staff in the Trust.
· Have highly developed specialist knowledge and experience, in order to act as an expert advisor on all aspects of infection control.
· Support the development and implementation of a program across the Trust that will achieve prevention, surveillance, investigation and control of infection in line with national guidance for Infection Control., Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job., · Will have specialist knowledge and experience in order to provide expert advice and consultancy on infection-related matters to all Trust staff, this includes all clinical staff, estates etc.
· The job holder will be expected to attend further training to develop existing knowledge and skill base as directed so as to aid the comprehensive provision of a quality, safe and efficient service.
· To evaluate and update control of infection measures throughout the Trust, promoting the principles of Infection Prevention & Control and introducing new practices in accordance with recent findings overcoming potential barriers to understanding and compliance in liaison with the appropriate Trust staff.
· To advise and facilitate expert care to patients with infections, in collaboration with nursing and medical staff through assessment and interpretation of complex and conflicting information based on environmental conditions and individual patient's laboratory results in the management of infection and its control.
· To act as an expert practitioner, demonstrating advanced clinical competence and a knowledge base beyond those associated with conventional nursing roles.
· To take responsibility, with other members of the Infection Prevention & Control Team, for critical incident management related to infection prevention and control within the Trust, including outbreak management and root cause analysis and ensuring actions are followed through within the relevant service areas across the organization.
· To develop and implement new ways of working, thus enabling clinical teams to take accountability for Infection Prevention & Control issues.
PATIENT CARE
· To advise patients, patient groups and relatives on general and specific measures to prevent and control infection, either by telephone or ward visits and face-to-face interviews.
· To ensure that appropriate, consistent information is available for patients, relatives, and visitors and is regularly reviewed, updated and promoted.
· To provide effective communication with patients, relatives and relevant others to impart information which may be seen to be of a highly emotive and stressful nature.
· To act as an expert resource by giving detailed information to distressed/anxious patients and relatives regarding Infection Prevention & Control issues as required.
Management and Leadership
· To provide professional leadership to the nurses and administrative staff within the Infection Prevention and Control Team and act as a model of good practice.
· To deputise for the Senior IPC nursing team as required.
· With other members of the Infection Prevention & Control Team review and evaluate the Infection Prevention & Control Strategy annually and the development of Infection Prevention & Control guidance, taking into account relevant legislation and published professional guidelines.
· To support Clinical Service Lines with completion of investigations relating to Infection Prevention & Control including relevant serious incident investigations.
· To evaluate and update control of infection measures throughout the Trust, promoting the principles of Infection Prevention & Control and introducing new practices in accordance with recent findings, in liaison with the appropriate Trust staff.
· Be an active member of the Infection Prevention & Control Committee.
· To represent the Trust in the nursing Infection Prevention & Control specialist field at appropriate professional meetings and conferences, networking with colleagues as appropriate
· Within the Trust advise the Clinical Service Lines, Clinical Nurse Specialists and other appropriate staff on input into the development/review of guidelines, policies and procedures with regards to Infection Prevention & Control issues.
· Support the Head Nurse in maintaining the Infection Prevention & Control budget and be conscious of the financial implications of their advice.
Audit and Research
· To assist the Infection Prevention & Control Team to develop and produce the annual Infection Prevention & Control audit program.
· To undertake proactive programs of infection surveillance and audits of the implementation of and compliance with Infection Prevention & Control policies and guidance.
· Analyse and disseminate research findings and data and implement relevant findings. Provide relevant information for use by Clinical Service Lines and the Executive Team.
· Collaborate with the Infection Prevention & Control Team in providing microbiological and epidemiological surveys, and in the organization evaluation studies of new techniques and equipment.
· To conduct research in close liaison with the Consultant Microbiologists and to act as a nursing research resource to others in matters relating to Infection Prevention & Control.
QUALITY
· To advise the Trust on isolation techniques, correcting hazardous or ineffective procedures and to act in consultation with the Infection Prevention & Control Team and senior medical and nursing staff regarding the need for the transfer of patients to the isolation ward or a side room.
· Review national and local documents and advise the Trust accordingly on the impact of these on practice.
· To provide Infection Prevention & Control nursing advice, taking into account national guidance, to all areas within the Trust in order to develop, maintain and improve standards and quality of care for patients and the quality of operational and support services.
· To liaise with the Occupational Health Department when dealing with advice relating to health and safety of staff and the transmission of infection from staff to patients and other members of the organization's staff and visitors.
· To support the investigation and management of outbreaks of infection.
· To act as specialist advisor to the health care teams in the Trust in matters of Infection Prevention & Control.
· Evaluate new techniques and equipment concerning Infection Prevention & Control procedures and practices.
Training and Education
· Support the Head Nurse to ensure that infection prevention and control programmes of continuous education are provided in line with the needs of the Trust and current national legislation.
· Provide training and information to staff formally and informally on effective measures to control infection, in conjunction with the Trust training & education team.
· Update on policies, feedback of audit results and examples of good practice for all health workers within the trust.
· Ensure that relevant health promotion information to patient's relatives and health care professional is available, regularly reviewed and updated.
Professional
· To ensure all professional advice regarding Infection Prevention & Control is provided in liaison with the senior IPC nursing team and DIPC.
· To assess one's own educational needs in relation to this specialist role and identify and utilize appropriate resources.
· Maintain active membership of appropriate professional organizations e.g. Infection Prevention Society (IPS).
· Be responsible for undertaking continuous professional self-development and updating of clinical knowledge and skills.
· To provide and demonstrate evidence-based practice.
· Work within the NMC Code at all times.
· Continuously strive for effective communication within the multi-disciplinary teams of the Trust and patients where appropriate to do so.
· To act professionally and in accordance with all Trust policies to ensure the promotion of the Trust's reputation at all times.