Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Specialist

The purpose of this post is to contribute to an advanced/expert specialist Infection Prevention and Control service that impacts positively on the experience of patients, visitors and carers by providing high standards of clinical practice and care as appropriate across the Trust. This will be achieved through the provision of expert clinical advice, consistent and sustained improvements in standards of practice and care, staff education and development to meet patients' needs in infection prevention and control and contribution to the effectiveness and efficiency of care. The Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT) provide clinical support and advice at all locations where patient care is provided by the Trust.

• Build on the Trust's strong infection prevention and control standards by maintaining excellence and driving continuous improvement in practice, ensuring the best possible experience for patients, carers and staff.
• Reduce the risk and increase safety for staff and patients in regard to prevention and control of infections.
• Provide the delivery of a ward-based infection prevention and control service within the Trust by working as an integral member of the IPCT. Maintain daily ward rounds to offer advice and foster effective working relationships with staff at all levels.
• Provide specialist advice and support to the relevant site team to ensure effective and appropriate use of the Trust's isolation facilities in accordance with Trust infection prevention and control policies, Working as part of the IPCT to investigate, control and monitor outbreaks/periods of increased and clusters of incidences of infection within the Trust to minimise the impact on patient safety and disruption within the Trust
• Actively participate in Patient investigations in line with PSIRF and implement agreed outcomes, this includes writing reports and disseminating learning.
• Contribute to the production of assurance reports, performance dashboards and governance reports for Trust committees, senior leaders and external stakeholders as required.
• Provide specialist advice and support to multi-professional teams to improve the way in which services are provided both within the organisation and external stakeholders.
• To provide specialist advice to support ward staff when patients are referred in relation to infection prevention and control ensuring all medical and nursing needs are understood and carried out in accordance with present infection prevention and control standards and protocols.
• To act as an Infection Prevention and Control advisor and role model to colleagues within the Trust. Ensure that advice given is evidence based and/or in line with policies and guidelines for best practice.
• The post holder will provide leadership, mentorship, and line management to junior members of the team as well as peer support to the other band 7 IPCNs within the team.
• Support any Service Level Agreements the Trust may enter to provide infection prevention and control service including to privately funded hospitals.
• Work collaboratively with the Antimicrobial Stewardship Team, Microbiology and clinical services to support prudent antimicrobial use and reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
• Challenge non-compliant practice constructively and support clinical teams to implement sustainable improvements that reduce infection risks.
• Contribute to the Trust's response to outbreaks, incidents, emerging infections and emergency preparedness requirements as required.
  
  Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.
Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive. We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer. The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.