The Infection Prevention & Control Matron is primarily a practitioner who works as part of an Infection Prevention & Control Team with other nursing staff and the Consultant Microbiologist/Infection Prevention & Control Doctor. The role is inter-disciplinary and provides valuable and essential communication links on behalf of the Infection Prevention & Control Service between all grades of healthcare staff and the public. Measures for the prevention, investigation, and control of infection through audit, surveillance, education and training are undertaken.
*previous applicants need not apply*

Main duties of the job

To be a Registered Nurse and have specialist knowledge through formal Infection Prevention & Control education and underpinned by work-based experience within the Infection Prevention & Control Service. Will have experience in a management/ leadership post.

To use specialist skills obtained for accessing and interpreting complex infection prevention & control issues and providing action plans to minimise risk of spread of infection.

About us

The Infection Prevention & Control Team at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trustwork with patients, staff and visitors to reduce healthcare associated infections, with the support of the Executive Management Team and the Trust Board.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

• Provide specialist Infection Prevention & Control advice and work collaboratively with other multi-disciplinary staff involving complex and sensitive issues on the nursing care of relevant patients using the nursing process for individualized care, ensuring risk assessment for the prevention of infection have been undertaken.
• Monitor the standards of care given and promote evidence-based practice and a learning culture. Escalate to ward manager, Divisional Matrons, Senior Infection Prevention & Control Matron and Lead Nurse IP& C if standards are not achieved.
• Working closely with other members of the IPCT to prevent, monitor and control infection and infectious disease in accordance with the Trust Infection Prevention & Control Policies.
• Be responsible for dealing with alert organisms in order to prevent, monitor and control potential infection risks.
• Be responsible for providing advice and support to a Division in order to assist them to achieve a reduction in HCAIs
• Using specialist skills and knowledge to promptly identify investigate and monitor infection and potential infection hazards relating to healthcare practices and procedures.
• Identify, investigate and control outbreaks of infection with the other members of the IPCT.
• Clinical service includes exposure to clinical waste, foul spillages, foul linen, dirty instruments and providing specialist advice on dealing with, cleaning and decontaminating it and exposure to patients with infectious disease.
• Undertake appropriate risk assessments with regards to the health care provision and patient care in order to enable relevant focusing of resources.

Education

• Provide training both formal and informal to all grades of staff across all sites of the Trust regarding own role and Infection Prevention & Control issues.
• Provide support and training to a multi-disciplinary Infection Prevention & Control Liaison Group and to chair the meeting and provide accurate minutes.
• Responsible for arranging the speakers and sponsorship for Infection Control Study Days with the help of the Infection Prevention & Control Team.

Liaison

• Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information in relation to all aspects of Infection Prevention & Control and communicate with patients, relatives and staff.
• Work with other members of the IPCT in liaison with nursing, medical, laboratory staff and other external agencies including HPA, community nurses and patient forum to promote and facilitate good infection control practice and ensure seamless provision across all healthcare settings.
• Required to use motivational negotiation, training and reassurance skills to achieve goals
• Liaise with Occupational Health in issues related to the control and prevention of infection amongst all healthcare staff.
• Develop and provide communication links with appropriate managers for health and safety, Buildings and Maintenance, Catering, Facilities, Nursing and Medical staff. This may include handling complex and difficult situations.

Administrative

• Attend and be an active member of the Infection Prevention & Control Committee/s
• Assist in the formulation, review and updating of Infection Prevention & Control policies and guidelines and for implementation across the Trust.
• Provide written reports on issues identified and after consultation with Lead Nurse IP& C provide presentations to the Divisions.
• Keep accurate documentation of infection control advice and information given and assist in the writing of Infection Prevention & Control records and reports.
• Participate in product evaluation and promote cost/clinical effective usage across the Trust.
• Assist in the development of the Infection Prevention and Control Annual Report and forward plan.
• Responsible for the safe use of equipment e.g. laptop/projector.
• Assist in the creation of posters/ information leaflets for patients and staff with regards to Infection Prevention & Control.
• Work independently on projects and report back to manager.

Surveillance

• Responsible for planning/coordinating and organizing surveillance programmes using recognized methods of data collection, analysis and evaluation of healthcare practice and to deliver feedback of data to multi- disciplinary teams.
• Provide specialist advice and support for staff with regards to surveillance for infection control both national and local.
• Participate in clinical and environmental audits across the Trust as detailed in the Annual Programme for Infection Prevention & Control.
• Provide written reports on the audit data and after consultation with IPCT disseminate the results to Divisions.
• Undertake the routine surveillance of alert organisms and conditions and their reporting to external agencies.

Research

• Participates in Infection Prevention & Control research
• The Trust manages all research in accordance with the requirements of the Clinical Governance Framework.
• As an employee of the Trust, you must comply with all reporting requirements, systems and duties of action put in place by the Trust to deliver research governance.

Professional Development

• Be fully conversant and comply with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and other associated national boards and infection control organisations.
• Pursue a programme of personal and professional development within the Trust framework of appraisal and portfolio development.
• Keep up to date with current research, practice development and national guidance or statutory provision in matters related to Infection Prevention & Control.

Standards of Conduct

• Attend induction and on-going training courses as requested by the Trust. Conduct duties with regard to the Trusts stated values.
• Post holders are expected to work flexibly within their pay band. They should only be expected to carry out activities for which they are competent. Alternatively they may carry out the additional duties if they are receiving support or training in order to obtain the recognized level of competence.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered 1st level registration
• ENB 998 or equivalent
• Degree or Diploma in Infection Prevention or relevant experience in working in this field.
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Evidence of excellent leadership.

Desirable

• Evidence of Managerial Development

General Health

Essential

• Physical accuracy and dexterity to use a computer keyboard
• Able to visit many different wards / clinical areas across Trust.
• Able to demonstrate safe use and cleaning of medical equipment
• Able to concentrate while frequently being interrupted by the telephone
• Able to concentrate for prolonged periods when analysing data or reading research papers
• Able to concentrate on occasions for prolonged periods when working on detailed documents
• Be adaptable and cope with unpredictable changes to workload, remaining calm and approachable
• Able to deal with the general stresses of counselling patients with specific infections / conditions
• Must be able to deal with distressed relatives and patients
• Able to deal with stressed staff working in difficult circumstances
• Able to cope with using VDU equipment on a daily basis
• Able to cope with occasional exposure to blood, body fluids and body lice
• Working within the challenges of financial constraint

Attendance

Essential

• Consistent, reliable attendance

Work skills

Essential

• Experience in Infection Prevention and Control
• Experience in a management/leadership post
• A sound understanding of the local and national infection prevention and control agenda e.g. WHO 5 moments of hand hygiene, NHS Long Term Plan, Health & Social Care Act, Covid-19 Infection Prevention & Control Guidance
• Excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of infection prevention and control (including microbiology, virology, epidemiology)
• Excellent clinical skills and has the ability to implement these in practice and is able to impart knowledge to all grades of staff
• Competent at delivering lectures and presentation to large groups of people
• Up to date and evidenced based knowledge of current clinical and professional issues
• Clinically credible and competent
• Understanding of clinical governance and its application to practice
• Proven report writing skills
• Ability to understand, absorb and comply with detailed procedures
• Evidence of being able to chair departmental and team meetings including agenda setting, formal minute taking and following through on actions and deputise in the absence of the Senior Matron.
• Able to be flexible and responsive to changing organisational demands and priorities

Information and Communication Technology

Essential

• Able to use Excel, Word etc to set up documents and spread sheets and extract information
• Able to use local and national database reporting systems
• Use and adapt software for clinical use
• Able to use PowerPoint to develop and prepare presentations
• Able to set up documents and spread sheets and extract information

Analytical and Judgemental

Essential

• Analyse and make judgements to resolve problems following risk assessment
• Understanding of ethical, legal and professional implications involved in practice
• Comprehensive understanding of professional nursing issues
• Clear understanding and application of professional accountability
• Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
  
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