Infection Control Support Nurse

Job overview

Band 6 Infection Control Support Nurse

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic motivated person to join the Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT) at Bedfordshire Hospital Trust to assist in the delivery of safe and effective infection prevention and control service within the Trust.

Infection prevention and control is an integral part of patient safety and a diverse and challenging area of practice. We are looking to appoint a Band 6 registered nurse with experience of multidisciplinary working who is able to demonstrate an interest in infection prevention and control and are keen to develop their knowledge and experience of this specialist area. This is a full time post based on the Luton site and will include weekend working.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

• Support and work with the other members of the Infection Prevention & Control team (IPCT) in the delivery of the statutory infection control training programme.
• Complete daily review of alert organisms.
• Participation in PLACE audits.
• Have daily contact within the clinical areas to provide support and advice on infection prevention and control issues and collaborating with colleagues in everyday practice.
• Complete review and validation of infection control audits and action plans to provide assurance of compliance with Infection prevention and control.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Management and Leadership

• With other members of the IPCT review and evaluate the Infection Control Strategy annually and the development of infection control guidance, taking into account relevant legislation and published professional guidelines.
• Continually act as a professional role model demonstrating excellent Infection prevention and Control practice at all times, exhibiting high standard of professional dress and professional behaviour at all times
• Maintain own professional development through objective setting; review/agree personal development plans through annual appraisal.
• To assist in identification and investigation of outbreaks of infection and production of reports with recommendations on all incidents.
• Be an active member of the Infection Control Committee.
• Following induction, deliver existing Infection Control training programme for statutory Infection Control updates.
• Organize own clinical work to ensure that it is delivered safely, prioritizing clinical need as necessary and highlighting challenges to patient safety to designated manager.
• Undertake infection control measures within the Trust to facilitate quality improvement. Recommend action/alterations as necessary in liaison with senior IPC staff.
• To work independently on a daily basis with support from the senior IPC staff when required in line with policies and guidelines

Audit and Research

• To assist the Infection Control Team to develop and produce the annual infection control audit program.
• Participate in proactive programs of infection surveillance and audits of the implementation of and compliance with infection control policies and guidance.
• Undertake environmental audit/monitoring of clinical areas as required.
• Collaborate with the Infection Control Team in providing microbiological and epidemiological surveys, and in the organization evaluation studies of new techniques and equipment.

Communication

• Always act in a professional, supportive and sensitive manner when speaking to staff, patients and relatives about specific infections and conditions.
• Maintain channels of effective verbal and written communication about infection control issues within the team, Trust and outside agencies where applicable.
• To assist in the provision of infection 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.
• Seek active contribution to service developments activities, e.g. commissioning new buildings, contracting services.

Training and Education

• Following induction, deliver prepared infection control and prevention for the statutory programme.
• Assist in the development, learning and training programmes for all disciplines of staff, including Trust induction, mandatory updates, hand hygiene training and all other Infection Prevention and Control study sessions/days.
• To assist in the preparation of training materials for the annual programme.
• Assist in the maintenance of records of infection control education programs.
• Give advice, information and support to all staff that are caring for patients with infections in liaison with senior IPC staff depending on the current level of training/knowledge.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of the Trust Infection Control Link Personnel network.

Professional

• Maintain and improve professional knowledge, skills and competence in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils Code of Conduct, national and local policies and local guidance to ensure the delivery of evidence based practice.
• Maintain professional portfolio
• To assess one’s own educational needs in relation to this specialist role and identify and utilize appropriate resources.