Job overview
A 6 month secondment opportunity has risen for an enthusiastic Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection, Prevention & Control based at Harefield Hospital part of Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
You will be a highly specialised nurse and role model, providing expert professional advice and education on the prevention and control of infection to other professionals, multidisciplinary groups, patients and carers. You will participate in the surveillance, monitoring and investigation of infections and outbreaks.
This is an exciting opportunity for you to contribute to patient safety and support the entire hospital to improve patient experience and outcomes, as well as supervising junior staff. The role requires someone who is very passionate about improving the care we provide and who can communicate and build effective relationships across the organisation.
The post holder will be based at Harefield Hospital, but may be required to provide cover, and attend meetings at the Royal Brompton Hospital as well as working closely with the wider GSTT team. The post holder may be required to deputise for the IPC matron when necessary.
You need to be confident, IT literate (Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, MS word, Microsoft) and possess excellent interpersonal skills.
Working hours will be Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
Closing date: 08/07/2025
Main duties of the job
To work, within the operational scope of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team, facilitating the prevention, surveillance, investigation and control of infection within the Adult and Paediatric Acute setting.
To participate in education programmes for all grades of staff on aspects of infection prevention and control, to improve compliance with best practice. The post holder will be required to operate flexibly within the IPC team structure to ensure that a comprehensive service is provided to the Trust acute services.
The role duties fall under the following categories:
Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect)
Clinical Research / Audit
Education
Management and Leadership
Service development
People management
Communication
Working for our organisation
The Trust’s Directorate of Infection (DOI) comprises Infection Prevention & Control (IPC), Infectious Diseases (ID), the antimicrobial pharmacy team, the Centre for Clinical Infection & Diagnostics Research (CIDR), and the diagnostic laboratories (Microbiology and Virology). For over a decade, seamless integration of these essential elements has been the hallmark of our service delivery model. The Trust currently reports amongst the best IPC performance in the Shelford group of England’s 10 leading academic healthcare organisations and is widely regarded as a national exemplar for IPC.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Patient/customer care (both direct & indirect)
To work within the IPC team providing specialist input in the identification, prevention, monitoring and control of infection within the Trust.
1. Work with multi-disciplinary teams in the provision of optimal care, to improve quality of life.
2. The post-holder is responsible for supporting the continuous improvement of quality of services and safeguarding high standards of care by sustaining an environment in which excellence in clinical care can flourish.
3. Undertake surveys, audit and research and development, clinical audit and service evaluation and through evidence-based practice, demonstrate clinical excellence with measurable standards and outcomes aiming to improve care and quality of life.
4. Act as an advisor who selects and initiates appropriate actions to enable all grades and disciplines of staff to prevent and control infection.
5. 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.
6. Advise staff when patient isolation is necessary, ensuring the correct techniques are implemented and reviewed.
7. Review microbiological data to evaluate the efficiency of the intervention and plan future practice.
8. To assist in the investigation and management of outbreaks working in collaboration with those with expertise, where necessary assisting in the preparation of reports to IPC team and the Trust Infection Control Committee.
9. Assist in the formulation and initiation of appropriate strategies to minimise the risk of infection.
10. To assist in the review critical incidents and assist and support the IPC service in producing written reports with recommendations where necessary.
11. Responsible for maintaining accurate, up to date clinical records and other relevant documentation using manual /IT systems as appropriate.
12. To ensure that infection prevention and control practices embrace the aims and spirit of the NHS Plan and Standards for Healthcare, NHS Improvement and the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Clinical Research / Audit
Critically evaluate information and research to formulate advice on the prevention and control of infection.
13. Incorporate relevant legislation national and local guidance and public issues into guidance and advice.
14. Monitor infection prevention and control practice through a structured audit programme.
15. Distinguish levels of risk presented by individuals, equipment and the environment; and when necessary audit and advise accordingly.
16. Assist in the development of clinical guidelines that are evidence based to promote good infection prevention and control practice with other members of the IPC team.
17. Monitor the audit programmes for improvement of patient care and the reduction of infection rates.
Education
Prepare and use a variety of methods to deliver appropriate information effectively.
18. Recognise and use opportunities to facilitate learning, providing situational support as necessary.
19. Evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching/learning process.
20. Use reflection to formulate and prioritise strategies for self-development.
21. Measures own competence through analysis and recognises own strengths and limitations.
22. Develop and improve own competence in a structured way through self-assessment, education, self-directed learning and conferences.
23. Use a range of resources to improve academic knowledge and professional development.
24. Is a resource that is able to educate, advise and inform patients/relatives about infection prevention and control and related issues.
Management and Leadership
Work under supervision and seek collaborative relationships with others across and within professional boundaries.
25. Establish and maintain professional networks within the Healthcare organisation.
26. Assist clinical staff to embrace infection prevention strategies for change.
27. Act as a resource for staff at a clinical level in infection prevention and control.
28. Identify problems and be involved in developing improved methods of work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
29. Develop and maintains optimal relationships within the wider IPC team, virology and microbiology teams.
General
To act in accordance within relevant professional codes of practice professional registration bodies and their statutory guidelines and be accountable for his/her actions at all times.
30. Be aware and work within the policies and procedures of the Trust, carrying out such duties as may be required, and that are commensurate with the responsibility of the grade.
31. To undertake project work as requested by the Line Manager, as appropriate.
32. As a member of the multi-disciplinary profession to embrace and operate within the spirit of, and actively support, the Trust’s values and pledges to patients and staff, and the Infection prevention and control strategy, to meet their objectives.
Service development
Report regularly to the Matrons for Prevention and Control Nurses on any issues, requirements or developments; helping to identify areas for service development and for inclusion in the business planning process.
33. As part of the Advanced Nursing Team, contribute to the development of new nursing knowledge in relation to Infection Prevention and Control, including audit and research where relevant.
34. To participate in the development of the Infection Prevention and Control Annual Programme as appropriate.
35. Contribute to setting Trust development of goals and benchmarking standards of care when required, in order to improve the quality of the patient care.
36. To work with other IPC team members to develop the Link Practitioners, including arranging regular meetings and organising suitable presentations.
People management
37. To acquire a sound knowledge base of IPC in order to support staff of all grades and disciplines across Trust in the delivery of patient care.
38. To develop the role of Link Practitioners and support them in their role.
39. To support staff across the Trust in the provision of safe and effective patient care in relation to IPC. This will include delivery of formal and informal teaching.
40. To encourage others to reflect on infection prevention and control practices in order to improve delivery of patient care.
41. To participate in the planning, implementation and development of in-house study days and courses relevant to area of expertise including hand hygiene and standard principles.
42. To undertake formal and informal teaching of clinical and non-clinical ward/department staff and patients as required.
43. To undertake and keep up to date with all statutory and mandatory training as directed by the Trust.
Communication
Participate fully as a team member, sharing knowledge and information and supporting colleagues, including support staff to promote a cohesive team and the achievement of team objectives.
44. Communicate clearly with ward and clinical teams to support the promotion of best IPC practice, giving advice and support within the scope of knowledge and referring difficult queries to more experienced members of the team.
45. Participate in the process of communicating alert organism results to staff, (and where appropriate the patient, or their relatives or visitors), including provision of appropriate Infection Control advice.
46. Communicate clearly with patients and their carers in a caring and compassionate manner to deliver relevant and understandable information which may affect them.
47. Participate in the production of patient information leaflets.
48. To communicate as required with other (external) healthcare providers to ensure that relevant information is passed on to future care providers in order to protect patient safety and minimise cross infection risks to others.
49. To assist in the production of the quarterly bulletin report to be received by Infection Control Committee and relevant clinicians.
50. To assist in the production of reports for the Governance and Quality and Infection Control Committees and Divisional Feedback report in cooperation with other members of the Infection Prevention and Control Team as required.
51. To contribute to the annual Prevention and Control of Infection Report, that is distributed to all key stakeholders.
52. To network with multi-disciplinary colleagues with the speciality of Infection Prevention and Control of Infection with particular reference to surveillance Trust Audit Department, Health Protection Agency.
53. To promote the corporate image of the Trust to all individual, groups and organisations both within the Trust and to the community at large.
54. Contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive learning environment for colleagues, patients and visitors
Person specification
EDUCATION &QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria
55. Registered Nurse on the NMC Register OR Allied health Professional with professional registration
56. Relevant postgraduate course or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
57. Diploma/Degree in Infection Prevention and Control/Microbiology
EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE
Essential criteria
58. Current consolidated interest and experience in infection prevention and control ( Infection Prevention and Control Link Practitioner) With substantial experience at ward/departmental level
Desirable criteria
59. Clinical experience in more than one speciality Relevant experience in Infection Prevention & Control Research Data analysis
SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential criteria
60. Proven clinical knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control
61. Up to date knowledge of current clinical and professional issues
62. Knowledge of evidence-based practice. An understanding of audit and research based clinical practice
63. Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management and how this effects their role and the department
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.