Lead Professional for Infection, Prevention & Control
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Secondment: 6 months | 37.5 hrs per week | Open to Internal applicants only
Sheffield Children's is offering an exciting 6-month secondment, covering responsibilities of Lead Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). You will lead the development of a high-quality IPC service, working with the Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC), Senior Nursing Team, and clinical and management teams.
You will ensure that IPC best practices are followed across the Trust, contributing to patient safety and experience. Additionally, you will drive the development of the IPC strategy, engaging staff, patients, and external partners to maintain a culture of patient safety.
Main duties of the job
Reporting into the Deputy Chief Nurse, your responsibilities will include:
1. Represent Trust at IPC meetings and events
2. Lead and update IPC policies for compliance
3. Oversee IPC recruitment and act as an expert advisor
4. Collaborate with teams to maintain IPC standards, and empower staff to challenge poor IPC practices
5. Contribute to the IPC work plan and ensure it reflects support of Care Groups to reduce HCAIs
6. Foster relationships and ensure clear, achievable team goals
7. Manage IPC team, including appraisals, recruitment, and development
8. Establish link practitioner roles and coordinate educational programmes
About us
At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are:
* Brilliant Place to work
* Leaders in Children's Health
We work with local, regional, and national partners to provide physical and mental healthcare across acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are amongst the best in their field, recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.
As well as having enormous pride in what we do, we are a friendly, welcoming, and motivated NHS Trust who are guided by our CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Our nearly 4000 colleagues live these values, ensuring kind and compassionate care that makes patients and their families feel safe and at home.
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to enhancing our reputation in children's health leadership, improving the experiences of both patient and colleagues, and focusing on our communities and population health.
Sheffield Children's provides great benefits to support your wellbeing, with excellent annual leave and pension schemes, health programmes, and exclusive discounts--helping you succeed at work and beyond.
Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Children's, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyone's success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
* Health Professional with current registration with the NMC or HCPC
* Educated to Master's level or equivalent level of experience
* Evidence of continuous professional development
* Recognised leadership course
* Research knowledge
* Health and safety experience
* Teaching qualification
Experience
* Well-developed knowledge and experience in infection prevention and control
* In-depth knowledge and understanding of infection prevention and control issues
* Sound knowledge of the national antimicrobial stewardship agenda
* Understanding the role and function of infection prevention and control within operational service delivery
* An understanding of the implementation of integrated governance in delivery of infection prevention and control service delivery
* Evidence of the delivery of sustainable change management and service improvement projects locally and nationally
* Ability to produce clear and concise written material, including data analysis using appropriate IT packages such as Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
* Evidence of the ability to confront and manage challenging issues taking a problem-solving approach
* Proven staff management experience with the ability to gain their support, motivate and develop them
* Strong management and leadership skills with a proven record of leading teams
* Research experience
Knowledge and Skills
* A collaborative and natural leader able to build and sustain effective working relationships both internally and externally
* Self-motivated and resilient, with the ability to achieve objectives and have the flexibility to take the views of others
* Demonstrates understanding of the Trust values and the role they play in delivery of infection prevention and control service
* Ability to perform effectively and deliver high quality outcomes while working with conflicting timescales
* Inspirational, innovative and dynamic
* Experience publishing work in peer-reviewed literature
* Proven experience of working successfully as part of several teams
* Active member of a professional organisation associated with the speciality (IPS, HIS, BIA etc)
* Experience of working across the health community to deliver improvement in incidence of healthcare-associated infection
Personal Attributes
* The post holder will be required to travel between sites and to regional meetings
* Leads by example, promoting the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, integrity, and probity
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.
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