Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Nurse Specialist

Job description

Job summary

The Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Nurse Specialist is a senior member of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team and provides expert clinical leadership, specialist advice, education, surveillance, assurance and quality improvement support across Whittington Health NHS Trust integrated care organisation.

The role requires excellent clinical leadership, communication and analytical skills, with the ability to influence practice, support service development and promote continuous improvement across the organisation. The post holder will act as a visible and credible specialist within the Infection Prevention and Control Team and contribute to achieving the Trust's strategic objectives for quality, safety and patient experience.

This is a replacement post within the established Infection Prevention and Control Team and provides an excellent opportunity for an experienced registered nurse with specialist IPC knowledge to further develop their leadership and professional practice within a dynamic NHS environment.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work autonomously and collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams to promote safe, effective and evidence-based infection prevention and control (IPC) practice across acute, community and outpatient services. They will contribute to the prevention, surveillance and management of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), support compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and lead initiatives to improve patient safety and quality of care.

As a specialist practitioner and educator, the post holder will support the development and delivery of IPC education and training programmes, promoting a culture of continuous learning and professional development. They will provide expert advice, clinical supervision, competency assessment, coaching and mentorship to multidisciplinary staff.

The post holder will contribute to the development and delivery of IPC audits, surveillance and assurance programmes, using audit and compliance data to monitor standards, identify risks and support quality improvement. They will work with clinical teams to implement and sustain improvements in practice, strengthen organisational learning and enhance patient outcomes.

The post holder will lead designated areas of the Trust's Infection Prevention and Control Programme, contribute to governance and assurance processes, support outbreak and incident management, and deputise for the Operational Lead Nurse for IPC and/or the Head Nurse for IPC as required.

About us

Whittington Health NHS Trust provides integrated hospital and community healthcare services to people across North London. We are committed to delivering high-quality, safe and compassionate care, placing patients, families and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our values promote collaboration, innovation, respect and continuous improvement, creating an environment where staff are supported to develop and thrive.

The successful candidate will join a well-established and highly regarded Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team that works across acute, community and outpatient services. The team provides specialist advice, education, surveillance, audit and assurance functions to support the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections and to ensure compliance with national standards and regulatory requirements.

Working closely with multidisciplinary colleagues, clinical teams, operational managers and senior leaders, the post holder will have the opportunity to influence practice across the organisation and contribute to strategic and operational IPC priorities. The role offers exposure to a wide range of clinical settings and quality improvement initiatives, supporting both personal and professional development.

We are committed to supporting lifelong learning. This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly, experienced and supportive team dedicated to improving patient safety, quality of care and staff experience across Whittington Health.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties

Clinical Leadership

Provide highly specialist infection prevention and control advice to staff across the Trust.

Promote best practice and evidence-based infection prevention and control measures.

Act as an expert resource for complex infection prevention and control issues.

Undertake daily surveillance and review of microbiology and pathology results via the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), identifying healthcare-associated infections, alert organisms, clusters and emerging trends, and ensuring appropriate infection prevention and control actions are implemented in a timely manner.

Support clinical teams in reducing healthcare-associated infections and improving patient outcomes.

Provide visible leadership in promoting safe practice and a positive patient safety culture.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Main duties

Clinical Leadership

Provide highly specialist infection prevention and control advice to staff across the Trust.

Promote best practice and evidence-based infection prevention and control measures.

Act as an expert resource for complex infection prevention and control issues.

Undertake daily surveillance and review of microbiology and pathology results via the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), identifying healthcare-associated infections, alert organisms, clusters and emerging trends, and ensuring appropriate infection prevention and control actions are implemented in a timely manner.

Support clinical teams in reducing healthcare-associated infections and improving patient outcomes.

Provide visible leadership in promoting safe practice and a positive patient safety culture.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration
• Degree in Nursing or related healthcare subject
• Evidence of Level 7 academic study or equivalent specialist experience in Infection Prevention and Control
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Teaching, mentorship or assessing qualification

Desirable

• Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control
• Master's degree or working towards Master's level
• Leadership or management development training

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Ability to provide specialist IPC advice across a range of services
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex data and surveillance reports
• Ability to design, deliver and evaluate educational programmes for multidisciplinary staff groups.
• Ability to challenge and influence practice in all organisational levels
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently
• Ability to lead investigations and formulate action plans
• Ability to manage complex situations requiring negotiation and diplomacy
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Significant experience of leading IPC audits within acute and community healthcare settings including developing, implementing, and monitoring action plans following audits and inspections
• Experience in analysing and presenting complex audit and surveillance data to support quality improvement programmes and demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Experience in analysing and presenting complex audit and surveillance data to support quality improvement programmes and demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Advanced IT skills including Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Excellent facilitation, coaching and presentation skills
• Project management skills

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Significant post-registration nursing experience
• Extensive experience working within Infection Prevention and Control services
• Experience in developing policies, guidelines or standard operating procedures
• Experience of HCAI surveillance and reporting
• Experience of audit, governance and quality improvement activities
• Experience of outbreak and incident management
• Significant experience in delivering education, training and competency assessment within healthcare settings.
• Experience developing and implementing learning programmes that improve clinical practice and patient safety.
• Experience of post-infection review (PIR) analysis and incident investigations
• Experience presenting assurance reports and support CQC inspections or equivalent external assurance reviews.
• Detailed knowledge of IPC legislation, standards and guidance
• Knowledge of microbiology relevant to infection prevention and control
• Knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship principles
• Experience in supporting workforce development and practice improvement initiatives.

Desirable

• Experience of leading Trust-wide improvement initiatives
• Acute and community NHS experience

Personal qualities

Essential

• Professional credibility and integrity
• Strong leadership qualities
• Commitment to patient safety and quality improvement
• Ability to work collaboratively across professional boundaries
• Resilient and adaptable approach to work
• Ability to challenge constructively and professionally
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Self-motivated and proactive

Desirable

• Willing to travel to Whittington Health Community sites as required
• Ability to respond flexibly to infection incidents and outbreaks

Person Specification
Education and qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration
• Degree in Nursing or related healthcare subject
• Evidence of Level 7 academic study or equivalent specialist experience in Infection Prevention and Control
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Teaching, mentorship or assessing qualification

Desirable

• Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control
• Master's degree or working towards Master's level
• Leadership or management development training

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Ability to provide specialist IPC advice across a range of services
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex data and surveillance reports
• Ability to design, deliver and evaluate educational programmes for multidisciplinary staff groups.
• Ability to challenge and influence practice in all organisational levels
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently
• Ability to lead investigations and formulate action plans
• Ability to manage complex situations requiring negotiation and diplomacy
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Significant experience of leading IPC audits within acute and community healthcare settings including developing, implementing, and monitoring action plans following audits and inspections
• Experience in analysing and presenting complex audit and surveillance data to support quality improvement programmes and demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Experience in analysing and presenting complex audit and surveillance data to support quality improvement programmes and demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Advanced IT skills including Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Excellent facilitation, coaching and presentation skills
• Project management skills

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Significant post-registration nursing experience
• Extensive experience working within Infection Prevention and Control services
• Experience in developing policies, guidelines or standard operating procedures
• Experience of HCAI surveillance and reporting
• Experience of audit, governance and quality improvement activities
• Experience of outbreak and incident management
• Significant experience in delivering education, training and competency assessment within healthcare settings.
• Experience developing and implementing learning programmes that improve clinical practice and patient safety.
• Experience of post-infection review (PIR) analysis and incident investigations
• Experience presenting assurance reports and support CQC inspections or equivalent external assurance reviews.
• Detailed knowledge of IPC legislation, standards and guidance
• Knowledge of microbiology relevant to infection prevention and control
• Knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship principles
• Experience in supporting workforce development and practice improvement initiatives.

Desirable

• Experience of leading Trust-wide improvement initiatives
• Acute and community NHS experience

Personal qualities

Essential

• Professional credibility and integrity
• Strong leadership qualities
• Commitment to patient safety and quality improvement
• Ability to work collaboratively across professional boundaries
• Resilient and adaptable approach to work
• Ability to challenge constructively and professionally
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Self-motivated and proactive

Desirable

• Willing to travel to Whittington Health Community sites as required
• Ability to respond flexibly to infection incidents and outbreaks

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
Address

Whittington Health

Magdala Avenue

London

N19 5NF

United Kingdom

Employer's website