Infection Prevention & Control Nurse Specialist

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main duties:

To support and assist the Infection prevention & control team in providing an infection control service to the Trust in reducing the incidence  and prevalence of  healthcare associated infections.

The post holder will be expected to provide a proactive approach to prevention, surveillance, investigation and control of infection within the Trust. This will include the review, formulation, implementation and education of evidence based infection control practices.

To contain and reduce the incidence of infection across the Trust through risk assessment, surveillance, audit, intervention and education.

The post holder will provide expert, highly specialised, clinical advice on all matters relating to infection prevention & control, including decontamination, food handling, outbreak management, ventilation, hospital hygiene and medical device management to senior clinicians, managers, ward and departments.

 To participate in the development and implementation on the Trust’s infection Prevention and Control Strategy and support the implementation of the IPC Annual Plan.

 In conjunction with the Lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse and Deputy Director of Nursing, to establish and maintain an effective and efficient system for the prevention, investigation, control and surveillance of infections in the Trust.

To provide strong leadership which inspires and motivates others, empowering them to ensure all Trust Infection Control policies and procedures are implemented.

To have the authority through specialist knowledge to advice patients, their carers and all hospital staff on standards of infection prevention and control, supporting, facilitating and actively supporting the implementation Infection Control Programme & Hygiene Code 2008.

Particular emphasis is put at Kings on the need to ensure that all staff recognise their responsibility to deliver services in a high quality, courteous, patient focused manner maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical:

 To act as a specialist advisor and resource to all staff, clinical and non-clinical, on issues relating to infection prevention and control.

 To assist in the investigation and control of notifiable and ALERT organism’s such as MRSA, Clostridium difficile, and CPO's.

 To assist in the investigation, monitoring and recording of incidents where Root Cause Analysis, (RCA), Post Infection Review (PIR), OR Serious Untoward Incident (SUI) reporting is indicated.

 To maintain close liaison with the Infection Control Doctor and other medical microbiologists and virologists on matters relating to infection prevention and control.

 To be highly visible, accessible and approachable to staff, patients and the public to ensure that open and honest communication channels are created and sustained.

To provide specialist advice on the planning of individual nursing care of patients with infectious conditions.

 Seek early evidence of cross-infection, with a view to recommending immediate control measures, by correlating the information from laboratories and clinical areas about the incidence and pathology of infection.

To provide support to members of the multi-disciplinary team by explaining the significance of microbiological data. To act as a coach / mentor for relevant members of staff.

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

To maintain accurate records of outbreaks, incidents and alert organism advice.

To advise on IPC issues including safe water management and ventilation issues as required by HTM 03-01 2021 and HTM 04-01.

 To work in conjunction with ward managers, other members of the Infection Control Team, Clinical Site Management Team and bed managers to manage the movement and isolation of patients with infection or infectious diseases.

To identify, investigate and manage outbreaks seeking advice from those with expertise where necessary and report to Infection Prevention and Control Team.

 Be proactive in the  analysis and dissemination of relevant surveillance data on behalf of the infection Prevention and Control Team

Management:

To work autonomously and seek collaborative relationships with others across and within professional boundaries.

To be an active member of relevant committees and working groups, including Infection Control Committee.

To participate in the development and implementation of the Annual Infection Control Programme and contribute to the Annual Infection Control Report.

To act as an IPC resource on building projects in conjunction with HBN 00-09, both for new infrastructure as well as for refurbishing current infrastructure.

To provide cross cover to the Infection Control Nursing Team, across site when necessary.

When necessary, to deputise for Senior Infection Prevention & Control team members.

Education, Research and Audit:

 In conjunction with the Infection Control Team, undertake critical appraisal of current practices, in line with up to date relevant research findings and governance.

To demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of continuous quality improvements by auditing the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and using audit to change and improve practice.

To promote good practice by sharing audit and research data within the organisation and externally through journals, meetings and peer groups.

In collaboration with the IT Manager for Surveillance, participate in data capture and audit as required by national and local surveillance requirements.

To participate in the formulation of policies, standards and protocols relating to infection control in liaison with multidisciplinary and management teams.

To undertake and participate in research initiatives applicable to the service and be aware of new developments in infection prevention and control, including external clinical research trails.

To maintain a high profile at ward level to ensure that attitudes and working practises reflects the Infection Control Teams commitment to a continual improvement in the quality of its service.

Formulate and implement formal and informal teaching and learning strategies for different groups of staff.

Prepare and use a variety of methods to deliver appropriate information effectively.

Recognise and use opportunities to facilitate learning, providing situational support as necessary.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching / learning processes.