Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical /managerial

•     Participate in delivering an effective clinical service to the Trust, including providing specialist nursing input within the infection prevention and control team in the identification, prevention, monitoring and control of infection within the Trust.

•     To act up for senior members of the team as appropriate in their absence

•     Provide expert clinical knowledge, skills and experience in infection control, acting as a resource and facilitator as required.

•     To provide effective communication with patients, their relatives and relevant others to impart information and support, which may be of a sensitive and emotive nature.

•     To explain the significance of microbiology data to senior members of staff to enable them to prevent and control infection.

•     To work in conjunction with managers, infection prevention and control team, matrons, bed managers and ward sisters regarding movement and isolation of patients with infection or infectious diseases, ensuring the correct techniques are implemented and reviewed.

•     Review microbiological data to evaluate the efficiency of the intervention and plan future practice.

•     Assist in the formulation and initiation of appropriate strategies to minimise the risk of infection.

•     To identify potential infections hazards and suggest appropriate remedial action to relevant personnel.  Initiate appropriate strategies to minimise the risk of infection.

•     To identify, investigate and assist in managing outbreaks involving multidisciplinary teams, seeking advice from those with expertise outside the Trust where necessary and report to the Infection Prevention and Control team, the Trust Infection Prevention and Control committee and others where relevant.

•     To visit wards/departments regularly to manage alert organisms and implement appropriate action, ensuring correct techniques are implemented and reviewed.

•     To liaise with Infection Prevention and Control team on matters relating to infection control.

•     To use relevant information technology to collect and interpret data, review critical incidents and produce written reports with recommendations where necessary.

•     To maintain complete records of patient management consultations and advice given.

•     To be an active member of the Infection Prevention and Control team and relevant committees.

•     To participate in the development and implementation of the annual infection control programme and contribute to the annual infection control report.

•     To revise and develop Trust policies/protocols relating to infection control.

•     To work autonomously and seek collaborative relationships with others across and within professional boundaries to access and manage infection risk.

•     To establish and maintain professional networks within the healthcare organisation inclusive of doctor, microbiologist, matron, ward sister/charge nurse, link practitioner, contracted services for soft and hard FM and nursing staff.

•     To formulate and initiate strategies to reduce infection risk, taking into account relevant legislation, published guidelines and local policies.

•     To act as an expert resource for staff at a clinical level in infection control, distinguishing levels of risk presented by individuals, equipment and the environment.

•     Review critical incidents and produce written reports with recommendations as necessary.

•     Investigate causes and develop solutions to complex infection control problems that may require root cause analysis, investigation, negotiation and advanced change management skills. This may involve conflict resolution and mediation. 

•     To prioritise own workload taking into account varying demands and resources.

To support service level agreements for the provision of infection control services where applicable.

•     To support the organisation to implement and monitor strategies to prevent and control infection both locally and nationally.

•     To inspire others with values and vision through support in daily activities by communicating infection control data to ward areas and visiting clinical areas for the purpose of support, audit and observation.

•     Develop clinical guidelines that are evidence based to promote good infection control practice with other members of the Infection Prevention and Control team.

Education

•     To formulate and implement teaching and learning strategies for different groups of clinical and non-clinical staff. This will include pre-registration and postgraduate education, formal and informal teaching.

•     To identify, assess and meet the educational needs of the patient and their family.

•     To maintain a high profile at ward level to ensure attitudes and working practices reflect the Infection Prevention and Control team commitment to a continual improvement in the quality of its service.

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

•     To evaluate the effectiveness of strategies used to facilitate the learning of others.

•     To recognise and use opportunities to facilitate learning, providing situational support as necessary.

Clinical Research

•     To critically evaluate information and research to formulate advice on the prevention and control of infection.

•     To incorporate relevant legislation, national and local guidance and public issues to provide advice.

•     To synthesise evidence to produce written material in a logical and structured format that is appropriate for staff use.

•     To participate with microbiologist and appropriate clinical staff in research projects that relate to hospital infection, acting as a facilitator as required.

•     To promote research-based infection control practice by participating in research and development.

Surveillance and Audit

•     To monitor infection control aspects of the environment, ensuring agreed standards are met with the use of environmental audit tools and observations within clinical areas of the Trust.

•     If required, to plan, organise and coordinate surveillance programmes.

Critically appraise and evaluate infection control practice through a structured audit programme.

•     Distinguish levels of risk presented by individuals, equipment and the environment, auditing when necessary and advising accordingly.

•     To assist in the identification and development of suitable audit tools as necessary for the targeted surveillance of hospital-acquired infections, as required.

•     To maintain links with wards/units/departments in order to initiate and develop targeted surveillance projects.

•     Identify sources of expert opinion, evidence and information to assess risks.

•     Implementation of audit programmes for improvement of patient care and the reduction of infection rates.

•     To correlate information and analyse data.  To actively seek out information and peer review.

•     To produce logical, structured written reports for the infection Prevention and Control team and other relevant clinical staff.

•     To use the Infection Control software system, and be responsible for entering relevant data into appropriate IT systems.

•     To communicate clinical problems of significance to other members of the Infection Prevention and Control team.

Partnerships

Communications and Relationships

•     Liaison with multidisciplinary team members, directors and managers, other NHS trusts and other healthcare providers.

•     To provide effective communication with staff, patients, their relatives and relevant others to impart information and support, which may be complex, and of a sensitive or emotive nature.

To communicate effectively with key individuals and groups as identified below:  

Internal Relationships:

·      Director Infection Prevention and Control

·      Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control

·      Consultant Microbiologists

·      Infection Control Nurses

·      Directors of Nursing

·      Senior Nurses and Matrons

·      Facility monitoring officers

·      Cleaning contractors

·      Ward Sisters/Charge Nurses/Ward or Department Managers

·      Service Leads and Team Leaders

·      Staff from all departments of all grades

·      Infection Prevention and Control link practitioners

External Relationships:

·     Partner organisations in local health economy such as South London Health Protection Team. Integrated care board representatives and Lewisham health protection officers.

·      Network with Infection Prevention and Control colleagues

·      Staff from other agencies, e.g., Occupational Health, UKHSA (UK Health and Security Agency)

General

•     To act in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (and other) relevant professional codes of practice and statutory guidelines and be accountable for his/her actions at all times.

•     To pursue continuing education in line with current requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

•     To use a range of resources to improve academic knowledge and professional development.

•     Measures own competence through analysis and recognises own strengths and limitations.

•     To be aware of advances in infection control and attend professional meetings, relevant courses and conferences.

•     To use reflection to formulate and prioritise strategies for self-development.

•     Develop and plan for publication of articles.