Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner

Job overview

Are you a registered healthcare professional with an interest in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and a passion for improving patient safety and quality of care?

We have a vacancy within our team for a band 5 developmental role. This role has been designed to support progression to a Band 6 Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner position.

You will work alongside experienced IPC practitioners and receive support and supervision while undertaking a structured development programme. Progression will be subject to successful achievement of the agreed competency framework, required training and qualifications, and demonstration of the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for autonomous Band 6 practice.

Main duties of the job

Working with the support and guidance of senior IPC colleagues, you will:

Provide Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) advice, education and guidance to staff, patients and service users. Support clinical teams to assess and manage infection risks, implement appropriate precautions and promote compliance with IPC policies and evidence-based practice.

Participate in the assessment and management of IPC incidents and outbreaks, supporting investigations, timely interventions and accurate record keeping.

Contribute to IPC surveillance, clinical audit, post-infection reviews, service evaluation and quality improvement, using findings to improve patient safety and standards of care.

Support the review and development of IPC policies and contribute to the design and delivery of IPC education and training.

Analyse IPC information, identify risks and opportunities for improvement, and develop the confidence to appropriately challenge poor practice.

Maintain awareness of national IPC guidance and evidence and apply this to practice.

Undertake the agreed Band 5 to Band 6 development programme, building the specialist clinical, professional, leadership and educational competencies required for autonomous IPC practice.

Employment in this post requires an Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate’s individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.