Job summary

The Lead Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) will ensure the smooth running of all operational elements of an effective IPC service which includes (but is not limited to):

Surveillance, management and reporting of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and alert organisms Audit of clinical environment and practices related to IPC Outbreak prevention and control Development and implementation of IPC policies and strategies

Main duties of the job

The purpose of the post is to lead and provide expert advice for all staff, patients and service users on issues related to the prevention and control of infections and infectious diseases. The post holder will be leading the service by demonstrating expert specialist clinical practice and skills using evidence based best practice in line with current guidelines, research and innovation.

About us

RNOH Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (RNOH) is the largest orthopaedic hospital in the UK and a global leader in our field. We provide a dynamic working environment where we support frontline staff to implement improvements so that we can realise our vision of being a world leading neuro-musculoskeletal hospital providing the best patient care and staff experience in the NHS, delivering world leading research, and offering a strong foundation of education, training and career progression. Our dedicated staff come from diverse backgrounds, and our patients benefit from the wide range of experience they bring to the trust. RNOH brings unrivalled expertise together in one place allowing us to deliver some of the world's most complex and innovative care to our patients. RNOH is rated good by the CQC and covers two sites, one in central London and one in Stanmore - which has recently opened The Stanmore Building, a new, state-of-the-art inpatient facility. For more information, please access the following link:

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will;

Lead all IPC audit and surveillance activity, overseeing the management of HCAIs and alert organisms in the Trust, and reporting locally or nationally where necessary. Function as an autonomous practitioner providing an expert level of care, developing own and others knowledge of the prevention and control of infections. Be responsible for ensuring site visits and conduct audits for all new builds, refurbishments, and environmental alterations in the Trust by working closely with Estates and Facilities, commissioners, and stakeholders, to ensure that infection prevention and control is always given due regard in these projects. Ensure that the infection risks of patients are reported and IPC measures are carried out with up-to-date and relevant patient information included in all relevant Trusts records. Represent the Trust and the Profession at meetings and conferences. Demonstrate advanced professional knowledge and skills for clinical competency and assumes responsibility for own professional development with the support of the Deputy Chief Nurse. Advise the DIPC on all matters pertaining to IPC. Provide management and leadership of the Infection Prevention and Control Team and the Bone Infection/OPAT Team.

Clinical Responsibilities To be highly visible clinical specialist and leader, ensuring an accessible presence throughout the Trust, for staff, patients and service users, providing assistance, advice and support on IPC issues and concerns Work closely with the Chief Nurse/Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC) and the IPC Doctor/Lead Consultant Microbiologist to provide leadership and expert knowledge in respect of infection control and prevention across the organisation. To act as a role model and clinical expert, providing evidence based guidance for staff and members of the multidisciplinary team in relation to the specialist service Maintain a high level of expert practice in the speciality, acting as a resource for specialist advice across the Trust. To ensure operational practice, management oversight and audit activity promotes Trust compliance with the Health Act 2006; Code of Practice for Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection. To advise on IPC risks, control measures and lead their implementation. To act as specialist advisor in matters relating to infection prevention for all health care workers within the Trust. To ensure outbreaks of infections are effectively managed and controlled in collaboration with the DIPC and IPC Doctor/Consultant Microbiologist. To work in partnership with multi-disciplinary teams to implement and evaluate action plans resulting from the environmental audits. To work with the IPC doctor to provide specialist advice and ensure appropriate IPC oversight in regard to the planning/upgrading of capital projects and equipment within the Trust and other purchaser units and advise the DIPC accordingly. To compile and deliver to and annual IPC workplan as agreed with the DIPC and shared with the Board. To participate in the collection and analysis of the data generated from the surgical site infection surveillance scheme, enabling the service to plan, monitor and achieve its SSI objectives. To play an active leadership role in the winter vaccine campaign and undertake practice as a peer vaccinator

Professional Leadership and Management

Develops strategies to ensure that all Trust employees contribute to the achievement and adhere to the policies and clinical practices developed for the prevention and control of infection. To coordinate the monitoring and reporting of key performance indicators, both locally and nationally Through the DIPC, deliver an IPC Annual Report to the Trust Board. Together with the IPC Doctor to lead and prepare for the Infection Control Committee and Surgical Site Infection group. Lead on national and local initiatives related to the specialist service and represent the Trust and the profession at meetings and conferences. Provide line management and professional leadership to the IPC and Bone Infection/OPAT teams. Direct and support the ongoing professional development of the team Attend the Nursing Leadership Forum and play an active part as a nurse leader across the nursing portfolio trustwide. Organise and lead on development and innovations in the prevention and control of HCAIs working in partnership with other Trust within the North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB).

Quality Governance

Sustain/lead an effective means of capturing incidents relating to the IPC service and supporting investigations/participate in after action reviews (AAR). Liaise with the Deputy Chief Nurse and the Deputy Director for Quality to advise and contribute to clinical governance activities within the trust around the speciality. Maintain and update the Board Assurance Framework Maintain a risk register for IPC matters as indicated. To be responsible for the development, implementation and audit of IPC policies and procedures working with managers in taking appropriate action resulting from the audit To monitor and analyse data and use it to challenge practice.

Research and quality improvement

To network with other CNS specialist services throughout the UK joining the appropriate organisations in order to collaborate, share and benchmark practices and initiatives

To act as a research resource in IPC matters.

To critically appraise current practice and best evidence develop/introduce new practices in accordance with audit or research findings. To lead quality improvement initiatives within the speciality.

Workforce and Education

To maintain an active awareness To update and maintain own knowledge of current local and national IPC issues and clinical/ professional developments within the service and disseminate that knowledge to colleagues. Participate in the informal/formal IPC education and training programmes for the multi-disciplinary teams. Ensure a robust education and professional development programme is maintained for the IPC champions in the Trust Develop learning opportunities for all Trust employees that are flexible and accessible and support the needs of the organisation in collaboration with members of the Learning and Development Team.

Person Specification

IT skills

Essential

Essential IT skills including database and spreadsheet management Ability to input data

Responsibility for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

Demonstrable commitment to anti-discriminatory and inclusive behaviours and practices

Education and Qualifications

Essential

Level 1 registration with NMC Recognised IPC post-graduate course/module in Infection Control Masters level study or equivalent experience Evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

Leadership / Management course/qualification Masters level award Teaching/Mentoring qualification

Knowledge, Training & Experience

Essential

Significant post registration/graduate experience in relevant area of clinical practice High level IPC knowledge and skills Knowledge of current IPC guidelines, communicable diseases policies and procedures Leadership experience at Band 7 Experience of teaching/ presentation Knowledge of current development in nursing and the NHS Experience of quality/service improvement/ change management Experience of managing people/a team

Desirable

Team Management experience Experience as an IPC specialist nurse Experience as a clinical nurse specialist or practice educator Experience as Band 7 IPC Clinical Nurse Specialist Experience of managing HR processes

Analytical & Judgment Skills

Essential

Ability to performance manage using Trust standards/matrix Ability to operationalise workforce management policies when required Ability to interpret data and use data to initiate/evaluate change

Planning & Organisational Skills

Essential

Ability to manage a team rota/allocate staff effectively Ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure Ability to negotiate complex issues with managers and staff to support change Ability to prioritise workload to deliver on key projects/ work Ability to provide supervision and support to junior members of staff/team members across the Trust Ability to develop supportive working relationships across multidisciplinary teams

Desirable

Budget management skills Experience of using eRoster systems

Communication & Relationship Skills

Essential

Excellent report writing skills, producing documents to a high quality finish Ability to present at meetings both internally and externally People management skills

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

Essential

Experience in writing/ developing and implementing policies/procedures/guidelines

Desirable

Experience in building a business case

Responsibility for Research & Development

Essential

Experience in developing / quality improvement/ service improvement project Ability to undertake a literature search and appraise evidence

Desirable

Experience of participating in clinical research