Matron of Infection Prevention and Control

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated Matron who will have significant experience working in the speciality of IP&C. The post holder will assist in the leadership of the IP&C Service at the Trust.

The post holder will be responsible for developing and implementing the Board Assurance Framework for Infection Prevention and expected to maintain and enhance standards of patient care and clinical outcomes through the implementation of continuous quality improvement initiatives.

The post holder will be required to deputise for the Deputy Director of Infection Prevention in relation to infection-related, organisational, and professional issues. They will act as a clinical expert in Infection Prevention and the development of staff through education and practice development.

They will be required to operate flexibly within the Team to ensure a comprehensive service is provided. They will be required to participate in the IP&C on-call rota at weekends.

For this interesting and varied post you will need to enjoy working as part of a team in a busy and pressured environment, with the ability to be well organised and to communicate effectively, with the confidence to work on your own initiative. You will inspire and motivate staff, empowering them to ensure that all Trust Infection Prevention policies and procedures are implemented and embedded in practice.

Main duties of the job

In conjunction with the Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Infection Prevention, the post holder will assist in the leadership of the Infection Prevention and Control Service at the Trust, working collaboratively with the Consultant Microbiologists, Infection Control Doctor, Pathology Network and external agencies.

The post holder will be responsible for developing and implementing the Trust’s Board Assurance Framework for Infection Prevention and expected to maintain and enhance standards of patient care, and clinical outcomes through the implementation of continuous quality improvement initiatives related to IPC.

The post holder will be required to deputise for the Associate Chief Nursing in relation to infection-related organisational and professional issues. They will act as a clinical expert in Infection Prevention, providing expert advice at clinical level and support the development of staff caring for patients through formal education, practise development and role modelling.

The post holder will be a high profile, accessible and responsive leader maintaining and improving infection control related aspects of clinical governance, evidence based practise, patient safety, quality assurance and manage specific projects as required.

The post holder will ensure agreed standards, targets and objectives are met including key performance indicators and national directives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP:

Implement the IPC agenda and annual programme of work, to develop and monitor robust outcome measurement of IPC care that will inform changes and resources required across the Trust.

Work with the lead for Learning and Development on both pre-registration and post registration developments in IPC education and ensure Trust’s Learning Needs Analysis reflects IPC education for all staff groups

Support and advise the Chief Nursing Officer with complex clinical issues relating to IPC quality issues across the Trust.

Apply risk assessments, surveillance, audit, clinical intervention to provide expert clinical advice on all factors relating to IPC and hospital hygiene.

Lead on the development of policies, procedures, guidance and strategy documents related to IPC.

Assist in the management of the Infection Prevention team, ensuring adequate skill mix and cover is in place, assisting in annual appraisals, setting objectives and personal development plans for team members

Manage outbreaks of infection in accordance with the Trust’s major outbreak plan, including investigation of the outbreaks and production of reports.

Assist in the provision of the Annual Report for Infection Prevention and to include analysis for performance data and future recommendations

Act as a leader and support within the Infection Prevention team, providing effective leadership to support and inspire colleagues whilst working flexibly to meet service needs

Act as role model; employ professional behaviour that encourages and coaches team members to challenge their current competencies, whilst seeking opportunities to expand their roles. This includes the promotion of a culture of appraisals, and personal development whilst setting clear smart objectives to meet the needs of the individual, clinical area and organisation.

Take an active role with the Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Infection Prevention in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff

COMMUNICATION:

Liaise with all relevant stakeholders including Professional Leads, Senior Management Team, GPs, Social Care, Community Services, Ambulance Service, Pathology Network, UKHSA, ICB, Occupational Health, Governance and Health and Safety as required to support pathway development and improved coordination of care as required

Communicate service related information to senior managers and staff within and outside the organisation using negotiation and persuasive skills

Motivate and persuade others, including staff, patients, and visitors, applying verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and using written and electronic information

Act as an advocate for patients and colleague

ANALYSIS AND JUDGEMENT:

Ensure the environment and ward processes are safe and effective in relation to IPC.

Maintain ongoing organism and infectious disease surveillance with appropriate evaluation, feedback and action to control and prevent such infection.

Promote a blame free culture in reporting incidents and appoint investigating officers where appropriate, applying any learning derived from the investigation into practice at the earliest of opportunities, supporting staff in the process.

Analyse and interpret health legislation and national policy with regard to their impact on/or applicability to infection prevention and lead the implementation of any change needed.

PATIENT INVOLVEMENT AND EXPERIENCE:

Implement, evaluate and amend initiatives related to IPC.

Work with the Associate Chief Nursing Officer in setting the vision around improving patient experience and be a core member of the IPC board.

Chair groups as identified by the Associate Chief Nursing Officer.

Advise on and supervise the management of patients with Communicable Disease in accordance with statuary requirements, best practice and strategy

GOVERNANCE, QUALITY AND SAFETY:

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality

Critically evaluate and review innovations and developments that are relevant to the area of work

Demonstrate continual evaluation of practice within the defined specialist area, making agreed changes where appropriate

Initiate and participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities

Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required

Evaluate patients’ response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care

Continuously assess and monitor risk in their own and others practice and challenge wider risk factors

Use a structured framework (e.g. root-cause analysis, post-infection review) to manage, review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events

Actively promote research and development in the division in support of the Trust R&D Strategy.

Implement CQC standards across the organisation in relation to IPC.

Monitoring infection prevention and control standards across the organisation.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.