Clinical Nurse Specialist Infection Control (CNS IPC)

at  UPMC in Ireland

LEARNING AND EDUCATION:

• Advise and participate in the commission, tendering and purchasing of patient care and medical equipment as pertaining to infection prevention and control.
• Provide infection prevention and control advice to committees established to oversee capital projects, building renovations and refurbishments within the hospital.
• Work closely with facilities colleagues when planning all renovations/ refurbishments and maintenance
• Participate in the development of the Infection Prevention and Control service.
• Produce reports/plans for infection prevention and control as required.
• Liaise with the Department of Public Health, HPSC and other organisations in matters concerning infection prevention and control.
• Act as a change agent in implementing research findings so as to enhance infection control practice and ensure safe patient care.
• Liaise with the staff of the Microbiology Department in organising and conducting microbiological and epidemiological surveillance.
• Together with Hospital Management be involved in identifying opportunities for the development of services that will improve the care of patients.
• Promote a patient centred culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and choice is maintained in their care.
• Undertake continuing professional development, availing of formal and informal educational opportunities thus ensuring continuing credibility amongst nursing, medical and allied health professionals
• Maintain an awareness of current developments and research in infection control and nursing practice by reading relevant literature and attending seminars and conferences.
• Maintain and update a personal development portfolio.
• Keep up to date with Health & Safety requirements, fire regulations and Radiation Safety and Protection ensuring that such lectures are attended and that you are familiar with the policies on Moving and Handling, Infection Control, Waste Disposal, Risk Management, Major incident and Cardiac Arrest procedures.
• Be aware of legislation governing or affecting the Nursing Profession, including HPSC, the Nurses’ Act (1985) and Nurses and Midwives Bill (2010), Health & Safety Legislation or any other relevant legislation or guidelines and trigger alerts as required.

Quality Improvement & Risk Management:

• Ensure that there is compliance with all relevant hospital guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. This includes responsibility for dealing with regulatory or professional bodies and inspections.
• Encourage continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required.
• Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department involving the team in continuous improvement initiatives and encouraging innovation.
• Set and monitor core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and monitor performance against these standards through internal and (where applicable) external audit.
• Lead out on the requirements of the hospitals accreditation process for IPC.
• Participate fully in the requirement of the hospital’s risk management programme.
• Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients. Encourage evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings.
• Work with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Unit.
• Provide clinical nursing leadership in proactively addressing ethical and quality of service issues with multidisciplinary team members and hospital management.
• Develop a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses involving patients and staff according to hospital policies, protocols and guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Be registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by NMBI
• Have at least five years recent relevant post-registration nursing experience (full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital setting with at least two years working in Infection prevention control
• Have a recognised post-registration nursing course - Higher Diploma or Post Grad course in Infection Control or be in pursuit of same.

POSSESS THE FOLLOWING SKILLS:

Clinical Skills
Management skills
Leadership skills
Negotiating Skills
IT skills
Quality focus
Risk Management
Clinical audit
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Presentation skills
Change management skills

OVERVIEW OF ROLE

The role is responsible for the provision of quality service in line with National and International Infection prevention Control standards. As a key member of the frontline team, the CNS IPC will provide support and specialist advice to all disciplines of staff, patients, and members of the public regarding the prevention and control of infections.
This role will help to ensure patient safety in containing and reducing the incidence of transmissible infections and healthcare associated infections. The CNS IPC will use his/her expert knowledge to ensure a thorough risk assessment of processes is completed throughout the hospital, using all available surveillance and audit data and put in place risk reducing measures such as education and specialised protocols, policies and guidelines.
The position requires a strategic approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the management of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives.