Infection Prevention and Control Nurse job description and person specification

Department: Infection Prevention and Control    

Division: Corporate

Responsible to:  Matron for Infection Prevention and Control     

Accountable to: Deputy Director Infection Prevention and Control

Band: Band 6

Hours: 37.5

Location*: All sites  

*To meet the needs of the Trust’s services you may be required from time to time to work at different locations to your normal place of work.

Our vision and values

Our vision is quality at our HEART

Quality…

Delivering quality means consistently meeting requirements and exceeding expectations.

We strive to deliver quality in everything we do – from the clinical care we provide and the employment opportunities we offer, to the support services and systems that underpin our care.

And in delivering high-quality clinical care, we mean services that are safe, effective, offer a good patient experience, are timely, equitable, and sustainable.

…at our HEART

By placing quality at our heart, everything we do as an organisation should further our ability to deliver quality.

This includes the people we hire, the skills our employees develop, the behaviours we celebrate, how we think and act, the investments we make, our systems and processes, and our organisational values.

Our vision also encompasses our HEART values, which were shaped and developed in 2017 by more than 2,500 employees as well as many patients. The values describe how we interact with each other and our patients and underpin everything we do and say to achieve our vision:

Y  Honesty: we’re truthful, we’re open, and we speak up

Y  Equity: we’re kind and caring, we act with fairness, and we’re understanding

Y  Accountability: we’re professional, we strive for excellence, and we improve

Y  Respect: we’re attentive and helpful, we’re appreciative, and we act with empathy

Y  Teamwork: we involve others, we support our colleagues, and we set clear goals.

You can read more about our vision, values and objectives at lnwh.nhs.uk/OWF.

Our objectives

Our objectives set out how we plan to realise our vision. They offer our employees, partners and our communities clarity about what we will do.

·         We will provide high-quality, timely and equitable care in a sustainable way

·         We will be a high-quality employer where all our people feel they belong and are empowered to provide excellent services and grow their careers

·         We will base our care on high-quality, responsive, and seamless non-clinical and administrative services

·         We will build high-quality, trusted ways of working with our local people and partners so that together we can improve the health of our communities

You can read more about our vision, values and objectives at lnwh.nhs.uk/OWF.

Job Summary

The Infection Prevention and Control Nurse will work within the operational scope of the Infection Prevention and Control Service, facilitating the prevention, surveillance, investigation, and control of infection. The post holder will contribute to the Infection Prevention and Control Strategy of the organization through participation in educational programmes, development of local policies and guidance based on best practice, compliance audits and the provision of specialist advice to all the healthcare workers. The post holder must be able to work independently across the acute and non-acute setting like sexual health clinics and dental practices setting and be an effective member of the wider team

Structure

Key responsibilities

•     To interpret and explain the significance of microbiological data to members of the healthcare team

•     To provide advice and support in relation to the necessary infection prevention and control measures, ensuring relevant actions and correct techniques are implemented and reviewed

•     Provide advice, support, training, and audits as part of the Service Level Agreement to GP’s, Care homes and dentists

•     To work within the infection prevention and control team providing input in the identification, prevention, monitoring, and control of infection within the Trust.

• The post holder will be required to have a visible presence in promoting best practice across clinical and non-clinical environments to prevent and minimise the risk of healthcare associated infections, 80% in the clinical areas.

• Provide Infection Prevention and Control knowledge on all aspects of patient care to clients, carers, Trust staff and other relevant external agencies

• Ensure Infection Prevention and Control is incorporated into multi-disciplinary policies and procedures

• Have the authority to request microbiological investigations, be capable of interpreting and acting on results

• Investigate outbreaks of cross infection. Analyse the situation and interpret information gathered. Document findings, provide immediate actions/recommendations, closing facilities as required

• Assess plan, implement and evaluate care for patients with alert organisms. Advise on isolation techniques and supervise the introduction of such techniques in specific situation
• Promote health education within the clinical environment, providing advice to patient and family and others

• Provide clinically based training in the basic skills of asepsis, intravenous cannulation, management of central venous devices, catheterisation and blood culture technique.

• Monitor and report standards of cleanliness in the patient environment and other clinical areas

• To review critical incidents and produce written reports with recommendations where necessary

• To incorporate relevant legislation and national guidance into clinical practice.
• Use a variety of communication techniques to ensure effective communication and collaborative working, including challenging poor practice

·         Participate in Trust wide multi-disciplinary for a ensuring that infection   prevention and control is given a high profile within clinical and non-clinical activity in the Trust

• Be Visible and available within the clinical environment in order to act as specialist resource for staff, patients and visitors on all matters pertaining to infection prevention and control

• Work closely with the Occupational Health Service providing specialist advice and guidance on infection prevention and control matters in relation to staff

• With the Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control/Infection Control Doctor /IPC matron initiate discussion and outbreak meetings

• Recognise the legal implications of patient documentation, therefore maintaining accurate records in line with Trust policies and NMC Code of Conduct

• Adhere to Trust policies pertaining to patient confidentiality/ Data Protection Act/ Caldicott Recommendations

• Together with the Infection Prevention and Control nursing Team plan an implement a comprehensive mandatory training and education package for all healthcare workers

• Ensure regular evaluation of ward/ department/ clinical environment procedure and practices ensuring that there is compliance the agreed policies

• Provide feedback and facilitation of action plans

• Participate in the audit process, including the development of tools, writing of reports, dissemination findings and recommendations implemented

• Liaise with clinical procurement department to ensure that medical equipment and furnishings for clinical areas meet agreed standards

• To prepare and use a variety of methods to deliver information effectively

• To help foster a culture that values learning and development

• Work flexibly across the organisation

• Participate in on call, out of hours rota