Job Description

The Associate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Surveillance Nurse plays a key role in supporting the Trust's commitment to preventing and reducing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and achieving zero tolerance to avoidable infections. Working as part of the Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT), the post holder will provide expert advice, education, and visible leadership across clinical and non-clinical areas to promote best practice in infection prevention and control.



This developmental role combines clinical review, surveillance, audit, and staff education, with a particular focus on SSI surveillance across multiple orthopaedic specialties. The post holder will be responsible for collecting, analysing, and presenting SSI data, conducting patient follow-ups, and producing regular reports to inform service improvement and enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes.



Acting as a key link between the IPCT, surgical teams, and other stakeholders, the post holder will ensure timely escalation of concerns, contribute to post-infection reviews, and support the implementation of action plans to reduce infection risks. They will actively participate in Trust-wide IPC audits and initiatives, helping to embed a culture of continuous improvement and high standards of infection prevention across the organisation.



To promote a safe clinical environment for all patients, visitors and staff.



To maintain the patients respect, dignity and privacy and to act with kindness and courtesy to all members of the public.



To understand and adhere to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct and other NMC Standards.



To take personal responsibility for maintaining professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and ensuring the line manager is informed immediately if this registration is compromised.



To take personal responsibility for identifying own training needs for mandatory and statutory training and discussing these with the line manager ensuring that sessions are attended.



To take personal responsibility for ensuring that personal objectives are agreed with line manager and that annual appraisal takes place.



To actively contribute to the teaching and learning of clinical staff, patients and others.



To contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of teams in which you work.



To undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager commensurate with the role, including absence cover.



To ensure practice is evidence based and is in line with local and national policies and procedures.



Undertake any course or development programmes identified as being relevant to the position



At the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH), we are committed to achieving the best staff experience in the NHS. In the 2023 NHS Staff Survey, we proudly:

Scored above the national average for the People Promises:

"We are recognised and rewarded," "We are always learning," "We work flexibly," "We are a team," and for staff engagement.

Ranked #1 among all Trusts in North and Central London for all People Promises and themes.

Ranked #1 among all Acute Specialist Trusts for "We work flexibly."



At RNOH, we're committed to being actively anti-discriminatory and actively inclusive. We recognise our brilliant people do brilliant work, and we offer rewarding careers, no matter what their background. We continue to strive to break down barriers to be the Trust where people come together because what they do matters, makes a difference and where they can thrive. ?



Joining our organisation means enjoying a wide range of staff benefits, including:



24/7 access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.

A Rewards & Recognition platform, offering opportunities to thank colleagues, send gifts, and access exclusive discounts.

A dedicated Staff Wellbeing Hub, providing a space to relax and recharge away from the work environment.

Salary sacrifice schemes for transport (season ticket loans, car and bike), electrical goods, and childcare



At RNOH, we are more than a workplace--we are committed to patients, to excellence and the wellbeing of our staff.



Clinical



To ensure high quality patient care review and follow-up based upon principles of best practice in infection prevention and control, either directly through personal contact or indirectly through supervision of practice.



To assist the Infection Prevention and Control CNS in the implementation of infection prevention and control policies and procedures relating to audit and surveillance and clinical practice review and care follow-up



Must be able to work as a team member, working with service users, clinicians, outside agencies and members of the public.



Guarantee confidentiality of patient records is maintained according to Data Protection and Caldicott Guardianship guidelines.



Work within all Health and Safety policies in a safe manner, recognising hazards within the workplace and applying all agreed precautionary measures.



Audit and Surveillance



Systematically collect surveillance data for the mandatory surveillance of surgical site infections, and any other surveillance as agreed by the Infection Prevention and Control Team.



Follow-up all patients post-surgically including audit, surveillance and wound monitoring



Will undertake follow up audit to identify whether actions to rectify problems have been addressed.



Will provide routine audit and surveillance data, responsible for overall loading onto local databases including the national UKHSA database as required.



Will collate and extract data in preparation for uploading onto the local and national HCAI database and ensuring the data is prepared for any routine reporting to all agencies as required.



On a daily basis be responsible for assisting in delivering the IP&C surveillance programme including the monitoring of patients identified with reportable and alert microorganisms and active monitoring of all patients following surgery



Plans and organises surveillance projects with supervision from the lead nurse for IPC in line with the Trust action plan



Utilises infection prevention and control knowledge and skills to audit practice and identify areas for further action.



Based on trends identified from surveillance provides advice on the basic principles of infection prevention and control in all clinical areas of the Trust.



With support, evaluate the clinical significance of microbiological data and the implications for infection control practice and inform clinical staff of the actions required.



Monitor clinical data in order to evaluate implemented infection prevention and control strategies



Utilise all computer software designated for use within the department to generate and correlate information to support improvements in IP&C practice



Collates surveillance data to produce a report on the findings and present to ward managers, senior nurses and multidisciplinary teams and committees as required.



Education and Training



Develop knowledge and understanding of IP&C and implement evidence-based practise based on outcome data from surveillance



To work with the Infection Prevention and Control Nurses on hand hygiene as part of effective wound care and other care activities.



To work with the Infection Prevention and Control Nurses in educating and training staff in wound management and aseptic technique compliance.



To work with and cascade training to colleagues from different divisions to ensure that surveillance is done in accordance with best practice.



Utilises infection control training to audit and assess clinical practice and environmental standards.



Contribute to the trust's education and training programme for all disciplines of staff ensuring it is evidence based and reflects national and local policy.



Assist to evaluate and manage education and training programmes relevant to surgical site infection and Infection Control in general.