Lead Infection control nurse

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Band 8A Deputy Lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse to join the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team at East London NHS Foundation Trust on a temporary three-month agency placement.

The successful candidate will provide senior clinical and operational leadership across the Trust's mental health and community services, supporting the delivery of a safe, effective and responsive IPC service.

Working closely with the Deputy Director / Trustwide Lead for Infection Prevention and Control, the postholder will provide expert clinical advice, lead on the management of outbreaks, oversee IPC surveillance and audit programmes, and support the day-to-day management and development of the IPC nursing team.

We are looking for a confident and experienced IPC practitioner with strong leadership, communication and organisational skills, who can work autonomously, manage competing priorities and provide evidence-based advice in a complex healthcare environment.

The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining IPC standards, supporting winter preparedness and ensuring the continued delivery of essential IPC services across the Trust.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will provide senior clinical and operational leadership to the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team across East London NHS Foundation Trust.

Key responsibilities include:

Provide specialist IPC advice across mental health and community services.

Lead outbreak investigation, management and surveillance.

Oversee daily IPC operations, staff supervision, workload allocation and professional development.

Coordinate IPC audits, risk assessments and quality improvement activities.

Ensure compliance with IPC policies, national guidance and infection prevention standards.

Work collaboratively with clinical teams, Microbiology, Estates and Facilities.

Support IPC training, governance, incident investigations and assurance reporting.

Contribute to winter preparedness and service resilience.

Deputise for the Deputy Director / Trustwide IPC Lead when required.

The successful candidate must have substantial IPC experience, strong leadership skills and the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and provide effective operational support from the outset.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The postholder will work closely with the Deputy Director / Trustwide Lead for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), providing senior clinical expertise and operational leadership to support the delivery of a safe, effective and high-quality IPC service across East London NHS Foundation Trust.

The role requires an experienced IPC practitioner who can work autonomously, manage complex clinical situations and provide leadership and support to the IPC nursing team across mental health and community services.

Clinical Leadership and Infection Prevention

Provide specialist, evidence-based IPC advice to clinical and operational teams across the Trust.

Lead the investigation, management and monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks, ensuring timely implementation of appropriate control measures.

Oversee surveillance of healthcare-associated infections, including interpretation of microbiology results, identification of infection risks and implementation of preventative measures.

Support the delivery of the Trust's IPC programme, ensuring compliance with national guidance, legislation and local IPC policies.

Undertake clinical risk assessments and provide expert advice on patient isolation, screening, transmission-based precautions and infection prevention measures.

Work collaboratively with Microbiology, clinical teams, Estates, Facilities and external stakeholders to manage complex IPC issues.

Operational Management and Leadership

Provide day-to-day operational leadership and coordination of the IPC service across allocated areas.

Support the management, supervision and professional development of IPC nurses and administrative staff.

Coordinate workload allocation, clinical priorities and service delivery to ensure effective use of available resources.

Support staff supervision, appraisals, competency development and performance management in accordance with Trust policies.

Identify and escalate operational risks, staffing pressures and service delivery concerns.

Deputise for the Deputy Director / Trustwide Lead IPC Nurse when required.

Audit, Surveillance and Quality Improvement

Coordinate and oversee IPC environmental audits, clinical walkabouts and surveillance programmes.

Review audit findings, identify areas for improvement and ensure appropriate action plans are developed and monitored.

Support the investigation of infection-related incidents, root cause analyses and dissemination of lessons learned.

Contribute to the development, review and implementation of IPC policies, procedures and improvement initiatives.

Ensure accurate documentation, reporting and monitoring of IPC activities.

Education, Training and Professional Development

Provide specialist IPC education, training and guidance to clinical and non-clinical staff.

Support the development of IPC competencies and promote evidence-based practice across services.

Provide clinical supervision, coaching and mentorship to members of the IPC nursing team.

Promote a positive learning environment and support continuous professional development.

Governance, Risk Management and Assurance

Contribute to IPC governance arrangements, risk assessments and assurance reporting.

Support the preparation of IPC reports for quality governance meetings, committees and other Trust forums.

Ensure identified IPC risks are appropriately documented, escalated and monitored.

Work collaboratively with senior clinical leaders to maintain IPC standards and support regulatory compliance.

Contribute to winter preparedness, outbreak contingency planning and service resilience.

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate must be a registered nurse with substantial specialist experience in Infection Prevention and Control, including previous experience at Band 7 level or above.

A relevant postgraduate IPC qualification, demonstrable experience in outbreak management, clinical leadership, staff supervision and service delivery are essential.

The postholder must possess excellent communication, organisational, analytical and IT skills, with the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and provide effective senior clinical leadership from the outset.

This is a temporary three-month agency position requiring an experienced IPC professional who can contribute immediately to operational service delivery and support the existing IPC team.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people 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.