To work within the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team under supervision, providing specialist nursing input in the identification, prevention, monitoring / surveillance and control of infection within the Trust, learning to analyse a range of complex information and problem solving. To advise staff when patient isolation is necessary, ensuring the correct precautions are implemented and reviewed, under supervision of the senior IPC nurses. To work in conjunction with Ward Managers, Infection Prevention and Control Team and Bed/Service Managers regarding movement and isolation of patients with infections or infectious diseases. To assist the senior IPC nurses in managing outbreaks.
To learn and understand the significance of microbiological results, in order to support Trust staff appropriately, in preventing and controlling infection. To assist with undertaking infection reviews using the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework and assist with organizing ward-based swarms. To monitor infection control practice in wards/departments, including hand hygiene and correct use of personal protective equipment, and provide feedback as appropriate, to staff of all grades and local managers, in order to support staff in improving their IPC practice. To monitor infection control aspects of the patient environment under supervision and provide feedback to local managers where improvements are needed.
To collect relevant IPC information as directed by the IPC Nurse Consultant / senior IPC nurses, to agreed timescales. 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 identify potential infection hazards, e.g. environmental or practice related, seeking advice from senior IPC nurses before advising on appropriate remedial action to relevant staff, using tact and sensitivity.