Job Summary
The Assistant Lead Infection Prevention and Control nurse post is primarily responsible for providing a specialist infection prevention and control advisory service to healthcare staff, patients, visitors and non‑trust staff working within the trust and line managing junior members of the IPC team.
Responsibilities
* The post holder will liaise with the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse in each clinical area to assess and evaluate patient care in relation to IPC, within a set patient cohort, and will support junior IPC colleagues to widen their knowledge and experience of IPC.
* Provide sound IPC advice, working closely with the patient flow team to review isolation facilities and ensure correct placement of patients.
* Discuss and advise on outbreak management to reduce transmission of infection, support patient flow and patient safety.
* Coordinate and review laboratory results, ensure patient follow‑up, surveillance and management of outbreaks, and direct team members in everyday IPC processes.
* Lead on a specific IPC topic embedded in the IPC annual plan, provide regular updates to the IPC team, other trust colleagues and lead on this topic in senior meetings.
* Chair IPC meetings, outbreak meetings, incident meetings and structured review cases, encouraging team development and contributions from all members.
* Deputise for the Head of Nursing / IPC Lead Nurse and the IPC Decontamination Lead in their absence, providing correct advice on decontamination of equipment.
* Monitor HCAI trends and implement control measures in response to rising case numbers.
* Deliver education and training on a range of topics including Hand Hygiene, MRSA, Aseptic non‑touch technique (ANTT) and Clostridioides difficile infection.
* Support and line‑manage band 6 and band 4 team members, including monthly one‑to‑one meetings, annual appraisal and sickness management.
* Review the team calendar weekly to ensure meetings, audits and training are accounted for.
* Ensure the Ward/Department provides excellent standards of IPC clinical practice and that the post holder is visible and accessible to clinical teams.
* Act as an IPC specialist and role model, supported through the management and leadership of the IPC Lead Nurse.
* Key Performance Indicators based on monthly IPC audits, aiming to reduce Health Care Associated Infections (HCAI).
* Compliance with all IPC and trust policies and maintain positive professional relationships with all staff.
* Implement and evaluate strategies to reduce avoidable harm and healthcare associated infections, acting as an exemplary IPC practice model.
* Collaborate with Clinical Matrons and Senior Sisters/Charge Nurses to investigate IPC incidents and complete case reviews with associated action plans based on best practice and current guidance.
* Participate in tendering groups related to IPC such as waste management, catering, building works or re‑configuration of services.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills (Essential)
* Good understanding of research, audit and evidence‑based practice
* Experience of undertaking audit
* Good information technology skills
* Knowledge of the audit process
* Knowledge of risk management and patient safety
* Effective communication skills, written and verbal
* Effective use of management and change skills
* Ability to work with colleagues at all levels of an organisation and across partnership organisations
* Ability to challenge practice and support best practice
* Ability to work in a team and individually
* Effective use of leadership skills
* Effective presentation skills
Desirable
* Participation in audit or research projects
Qualifications and Training (Essential)
* Registered general nurse
* Healthcare degree
* Masters level or working towards completing a masters level
* Specialist infection prevention and control course at degree level
* Recognisable teaching qualification e.g. ENB 998, 730, facilitating learning in clinical practice or mentoring in practice or equivalent
Desirable
* Attendance at leadership, development and improvement programme
Experience (Essential)
* Minimum of 5 years nursing experience
* Minimum of 3 years as an infection prevention and control nurse
Personal Attributes (Essential)
* Organisational skills
* Works well using own initiative and as part of a team
Additional Information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) will be required.
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. Further information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Further information can be found on the NHS Careers website.
Employer Details
North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Address: North Tees, Stockton on tees, TS19 8PE
Employer’s website: https://www.nth.nhs.uk/
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