Band 8a Lead Nurse Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) - Bath

Job overview

The Lead Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) provides senior clinical leadership for IPC across the organisation, ensuring safe, evidence‑based practice in all mental health inpatient, community, and specialist settings. The role leads the development and delivery of IPC strategies, ensures compliance with national guidance and Trust policies, and oversees the organisation’s response to outbreaks, clusters, and emerging infection risks.

Main duties of the job

The post‑holder ensures compliance with the IPC Board Assurance Framework and with all other relevant national and local IPC standards, guidance, and regulatory requirements, maintaining robust systems that reflect current best practice across mental health services.

The post‑holder works collaboratively with teams to build capability and confidence in championing IPC, empowering staff to take ownership of safe practice and embed high standards across all mental health settings.

The post‑holder acts as the Trust’s expert resource for IPC, maintaining up‑to‑date specialist knowledge, including challenges specific to mental health environments such as therapeutic activities, environmental constraints, and patient engagement barriers. They work collaboratively with Divisional, Locality, and corporate teams to embed IPC principles into everyday practice and influence senior leaders, matrons, ward managers, and community teams to drive a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

The Lead Nurse interprets and implements the National IPC Manual within mental health contexts, translating guidance into practical, proportionate approaches that support therapeutic care while meeting statutory and regulatory requirements. They ensure the IPC team delivers a high‑performing service, including surveillance, audit, training, data analysis, and targeted improvement actions.

Full details can be found in the attached Job Description.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Act as the Trust’s expert resource for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), providing specialist clinical advice and supporting multi‑professional teams in complex decision‑making. They will work alongside teams to strengthen their skills, confidence, and ownership of IPC, enabling staff to model safe behaviours, embed good practice in routine care, and act as local champions for infection prevention across all settings.
• Communicate effectively at all levels, offering clear guidance on IPC risks, incidents, and required actions.
• Lead the investigation, management, documentation, and reporting of outbreaks, seeking additional specialist input when required. Participate in the investigation of mandatory reportable and other significant infections with relevant clinical teams. Seek, interpret, and apply microbiological data to inform clinical decisions, assess patient risk, and advise on appropriate control measures.
• Assess clinical environments, patient factors, staff practices, and visitor interactions to evaluate the risk of transmission and recommend proportionate, evidence‑based interventions. Distinguish modes of transmission and advise on appropriate control strategies tailored to mental health settings, where therapeutic activities and environmental constraints may influence IPC practice.
• Promote a learning culture and encourage innovation in IPC across the Trust. Provide leadership, professional development, and performance management for the IPC team. Work with Learning and Development colleagues to design, oversee, and deliver IPC training, including bespoke programmes for unregistered practitioners.
• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of IPC policies, procedures, guidelines, and audit schedules, ensuring alignment with national, local, and professional standards. Monitor adherence and take action to support improvement or escalate concerns. Maintain effective systems for the prevention, investigation, control, and surveillance of infections across all services
• The post holder will be responsible for a number of duties regarding IPC within clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.

Full details can be found in the attached Job Description.