About the Organisation
NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you’re new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.
About Orkney
With over 70 islands, 20 of them inhabited, Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close‑knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it’s a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney offers a fulfilling and inspiring lifestyle.
The Position
NHS Orkney is seeking an exceptional leader to deliver a robust Infection Prevention & Control service that safeguards patients, staff, and visitors across our healthcare system. As the Board’s designated Infection Control Manager, you will hold overarching responsibility for infection prevention, medical device decontamination, and organisational cleaning standards.
This senior role provides strategic leadership on Healthcare Associated Infections, ensuring best practice is embedded throughout the organisation and aligned with national policy and regulatory requirements. You will lead the development and delivery of the Board’s IPC workplan, oversee outbreak management, and act as the principal clinical advisor on all matters relating to infection prevention and control.
You will work closely with the Consultant Microbiologist, Estates and Facilities teams, and external partners to maintain high standards of safety, compliance, and performance. You will also manage the Infection Prevention Service and contribute to Board‑level reporting and assurance processes.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership of the IPC service as the Board’s designated Manager.
- Develop and implement the IPC workplan and national policy alignment.
- Oversee outbreak management and act as the main clinical advisor on IPC matters.
- Manage day‑to‑day operations of the IPC service, including staff leadership and training.
- Report on infection prevention performance to senior leadership, Board and audit bodies.
- Lead continual improvement initiatives across infection prevention, device decontamination and environmental cleaning.
Qualifications
- First‑level Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
- Master’s level education, ideally post‑registration qualification in infection prevention and control.
- Significant recent NHS experience in a senior nursing role.
- Proven project management, policy and service development, quality improvement, and financial awareness.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and partnership skills, with digital literacy.
- Strategic thinker with a record of publications or professional presentations in IPC.
Location, Working Pattern and Contract Duration
Based at The Balfour. Full‑time 36 hours per week, Permanent contract. Condition of employment: must live and remain a UK resident.
Salary & Benefits
Band 8b salary. If residing on Orkney, Distant Islands Allowance of £1,719 pro rata per annum. Relocation assistance up to £8,000, depending on eligibility. Standard NHS Scotland benefits also apply.
Equal Opportunities
NHS Orkney is an equal opportunities employer committed to advancing equality and particularly welcomes applications from groups underrepresented within the workforce. We are a participant in the Disability Confident Leader Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria. This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.
#J-18808-Ljbffr