Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the infection prevention and control team in Ashford and St Peter's NHS Foundation Trust. This is an opportunity for someone looking to develop their career in the speciality of infection prevention and control, providing maternity leave cover for the existing post holder. The role provides many 'on the job' learning opportunities in an important speciality, aimed at protecting patients from the risk of healthcare associated infections. You will work as part of an amazing and supportive IPC Team, all committed to providing an excellent service.

The postholder will:

Support and assist the Infection Prevention & Control Team in providing a comprehensive infection control service across the Trust (all sites), to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections. Assist with carrying out the day-to-day work of the Infection Prevention and Control Team as directed by the senior IPC nurses. Assist with carrying out IPC audits, providing verbal and written feedback to agreed timescales, as directed by the senior IPC nurses. Assist with outbreak management, as directed by the senior IPC nurses. Utilise a range of excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to impart infection prevention and control advice and key messages to staff of all grades and professionals, sometimes in challenging situations. Provide a visible presence in clinical areas, acting as a role model and advocating for high standards of infection prevention and control, challenging poor practice as appropriate.

Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond.



Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter's, Chertsey, Surrey.



We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities.



Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.



We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital and moving towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures.



We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:



Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement



On-site Nurseries



On-site staff cafes



On-site parking



Support in career development



Salary Sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work schemes and home electronics



Adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

For more information about a career at ASPH please visit:

www.asph-careers.org



To work within the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team under supervision, providing specialist nursing input in the identification, prevention, monitoring / surveillance and control of infection within the Trust, learning to analyse a range of complex information and problem solving. To advise staff when patient isolation is necessary, ensuring the correct precautions are implemented and reviewed, under supervision of the senior IPC nurses. To work in conjunction with Ward Managers, Infection Prevention and Control Team and Bed/Service Managers regarding movement and isolation of patients with infections or infectious diseases. To assist the senior IPC nurses in managing outbreaks. To learn and understand the significance of microbiological results, in order to support Trust staff appropriately, in preventing and controlling infection. To assist with undertaking infection reviews using the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework and assist with organizing ward-based swarms. To monitor infection control practice in wards/departments, including hand hygiene and correct use of personal protective equipment, and provide feedback as appropriate, to staff of all grades and local managers, in order to support staff in improving their IPC practice. To monitor infection control aspects of the patient environment under supervision and provide feedback to local managers where improvements are needed. To collect relevant IPC information as directed by the IPC Nurse Consultant / senior IPC nurses, to agreed timescales. To provide effective communication with patients, their relatives and relevant others to impart information and support, which may be of a sensitive and emotive nature. * To identify potential infection hazards, e.g. environmental or practice related, seeking advice from senior IPC nurses before advising on appropriate remedial action to relevant staff, using tact and sensitivity.