Infection Prevention and Control Nurse
The closing date is 29 June 2026.
The Band 6 Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Nurse is a key member of the IPC Team, responsible for delivering specialist, evidence-based advice and support to clinical and non-clinical staff to minimise the risk of healthcare-associated infections. The role combines proactive surveillance with reactive management of infection risks, including outbreak investigation, patient isolation decisions, and interpretation of microbiological data. The post holder works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, microbiology, and public health colleagues to ensure safe patient care, effective infection control practices, and compliance with national standards. The role also involves education, audit, and maintaining clinical competence through ward-based practice, contributing to improved patient safety, quality of care, and organisational performance.
Main duties of the job
The Band 6 IPC Nurse works as part of the Infection Prevention and Control Team, providing expert, evidence-based advice to clinical and non-clinical staff on infection control both proactively and in response to issues. The role involves supporting patient management decisions, including isolation and transfer, interpreting microbiological data, and advising on appropriate treatment and infection control measures in collaboration with senior staff and microbiology teams. The post holder maintains surveillance of infection rates, monitors for outbreaks, and leads or contributes to outbreak investigation and management in line with Trust and national guidance. They also liaise with multidisciplinary teams on patient discharge and follow‑up, undertake ward-based practice to maintain clinical competence, and carry out specialist testing such as operating theatre air quality assessments.
About us
There is an exciting opportunity to join TeamQEH as the new state‑of‑the‑art hospital opens in 2031/32, alongside a major digital transformation. Our electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper‑based records from 2026 to enhance safety and integration across the Queen Elizabeth Hospital network. We provide specialist, acute, obstetrics, and community‑based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambridgeshire, and South Lincolnshire. We uphold values of kindness, wellness, and fairness and maintain a supportive, inclusive culture across our 4,000 staff and volunteers.
Job responsibilities
- Act as a member of the IPC team, providing advice on infection control to all staff, both proactively and reactively, in liaison with senior IPC members.
- Ensure the provision of effective evidence‑based clinical care to the highest standard.
- Consult with senior medical/nursing personnel regarding the transfer of patients for isolation to specialist infection units.
- Liaise with clinical staff, managers, infection control, and public health professionals on discharge and follow‑up of patients with infectious conditions or alert organisms.
- Maintain clinical competence through regular ward‑based practice.
- Seek and interpret microbiological data to aid infection prevention and control.
- Appraise the clinical relevance of microbiological data and advise accordingly in liaison with senior IPC members.
- Inform clinical teams of alert organism results and recommend appropriate treatment following approved guidance.
- Maintain records of infection incidence and monitor for signs of outbreaks or cross‑infection.
- Accept referrals from other disciplines and respond appropriately.
- Carry out microbiological testing of operating theatre air quality as required.
- Investigate and manage potential and actual outbreaks in line with the Trust’s Major Outbreak Control Plan and national guidance.
- Monitor, observe, and participate in clinical care to ensure compliance with infection control policies and initiate corrective action when needed.
- Act as a positive role model in delivering clinically effective care to patients.
- Deliver education and training programmes on infection prevention to clinical and non‑clinical Trust staff, including preparation of presentations, induction and mandatory training, and annual programme support.
- Provide education to medical and nursing students up to degree level and support staff caring for patients with infections.
- Give advice, information, and support to staff, patients, and visitors regarding infection prevention, safeguarding confidentiality and providing tailored services to carers.
- Educate patients, clients, carers, and relatives on infection prevention methods such as hand hygiene.
- Participate in health promotion activities as able.
- Provide advice on decontamination and disinfection at ward, department, and Trust‑wide levels.
- Develop and maintain professional working relationships across professional boundaries to promote high‑quality care.
- Ensure confidentiality in all communications and support non‑judgemental service delivery.
- Communicate detailed and sensitive information to staff, patients, and public, as required by practice planning and evaluation.
- Maintain clear, concise, and contemporary records of advice, information, and actions taken, following professional standards.
- Maintain effective verbal and written communication channels within the team, Trust, and external agencies.
- Participate in clinical audit and surveillance activities, collecting, collating, analysing, and feeding back data.
- Undertake environmental audit/monitoring of clinical areas as required.
- Advise on purchase, evaluation, and maintenance of infection control equipment in line with manufacturers and national guidance.
- Participate in research related to infection control, interpret findings, and apply to practice.
- Participate in the formulation, evaluation, and annual review of the Trust’s Infection Control Programme.
- Maintain the network of infection control link personnel across the Trust.
- Serve as a member of the Trust’s Hospital Infection Control Committee.
- Investigate complaints or reports of dissatisfaction related to infection control and take appropriate action.
- Report potential risks and initiate action or investigation through the risk management system.
- Implement infection control measures to facilitate quality improvement, recommending alterations with senior IPC members.
- Coordinate transfer of infectious patients across care agencies.
- Deputise for Clinical Nurse Specialists in their absence.
- Advise on infection control during building or service development.
- Participate in commissioning or re‑commissioning of facilities after construction, maintenance or repair.
- Identify early evidence of cross‑infection and recommend control measures.
- Investigate outbreaks of hospital‑acquired infection to determine source and spread.
- Act as a member of the Major Outbreak Control Group as required.
- Assist in the review and formulation of evidence‑based infection control policies, including prevention.
- Collaborate with public health and infection control agencies on policy review, development and implementation.
- Advise senior managers on advances in infection control and prevention.
- Support managers in implementing agreed policies, prioritising high‑risk areas.
- Raise awareness within the Trust of infection control issues in broader NHS contexts such as Clinical Governance and Assurance standards.
- Contribute to business plans and reports related to Infection Control.
- Participate in staff recruitment processes as required.
- Act as a positive change agent, initiating service improvements locally or Trust‑wide.
- Ensure compliance with Health and Safety policies to provide a safe environment for staff, patients, and visitors.
- Manage a clinical caseload of patients with alert organisms.
Person specification
Qualifications
- Registered Nurse with the NMC or working towards registration, qualifying within six months.
- Degree/Diploma in Nursing or equivalent.
- Teaching and assessment qualification.
Experience
- Broad experience across clinical settings.
- Relevant post‑registration clinical experience.
Skills
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Confident and calm attitude, able to work under pressure.
- Ability to provide holistic nursing care.
- Strong organisational and team‑building skills.
- Knowledge of professional issues in nursing, including NMC and IPAC guidelines.
- Teaching, assessment, and supervision of others.
- Experience in Clinical Governance.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required to confirm no prior convictions.
Contact
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 426-327-26TW
Job location: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
