Senior Clinical Nurse Specialist, Infection Prevention & Control

at  Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: IPC PRACTICE: Will have specialist knowledge and experience in order to provide expert advice and consultancy on infection related matters to all Trust staff, this includes all clinical staff, estates etc. The job holder will be expected to attend further training to develop existing knowledge and skill base as directed so as to aid the comprehensive provision of a quality, safe and efficient service. To evaluate and update control of infection measures throughout the Trust, promoting the principles of Infection Prevention & Control and introducing new practices in accordance with recent findings over coming potential barriers to understanding and compliance in liaison with the appropriate Trust staff. To advise and facilitate expert care to patients with infections, in collaboration with nursing and medical staff through assessment and interpretation of complex and conflicting information based on environmental conditions and individual patients laboratory results in the management of infection and its control.
To act as an expert practitioner, demonstrating advanced clinical competence and a knowledge base beyond those associated with conventional nursing roles. To take responsibility, with other members of the Infection Prevention & Control Team, for critical incident management related to infection prevention and control within the Trust, including outbreak management and root cause analysis and ensuring actions are followed through within the relevant service areas across the organization. To maintain and enhance professional links through the Chief Nurse and with senior nurses in the Trust, to provide regular updates on Infection Prevention & Control issues. To develop and implement new ways of working, thus enabling clinical teams to take accountability for Infection Prevention & Control issues.
PATIENT CARE To advise patients, patient groups and relatives on general and specific measures to prevent and control infection, either by telephone or ward visits and face-to-face interviews. To ensure that appropriate, consistent information is available for patients, relatives, and visitors and is regularly reviewed, updated and promoted. To provide effective communication with patients, relatives and relevant others to impart information which may be seen to be of a highly emotive and stressful nature. To act as an expert resource by giving detailed information to distressed/anxious patients and relatives regarding Infection Prevention & Control issues as required.
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP To provide professional leadership to the nurses and administrative staff within the Infection Prevention and Control Team and act as a model of good practice. To deputise for the Head Nurse, Infection Prevention & Control as required. With other members of the Infection Prevention & Control Team review and evaluate the Infection Prevention & Control Strategy annually and the development of Infection Prevention & Control guidance, taking into account relevant legislation and published professional guidelines. To support Clinical Service Lines with completion of investigations relating to Infection Prevention & Control including relevant SI investigations.
To evaluate and update control of infection measures throughout the Trust, promoting the principles of Infection Prevention & Control and introducing new practices in accordance with recent findings, in liaison with the appropriate Trust staff. Be an active member of the Joint Infection Prevention & Control Committee. To represent the Trust in the nursing Infection Prevention & Control specialist field at appropriate professional meetings and conferences, networking with colleagues as appropriate. Within the Trust advise the Clinical Service Lines, Clinical Nurse Specialists and other appropriate staff on input into the development/review of guidelines, policies and procedures with regards to Infection Prevention & Control issues.
Support the Head Nurse in maintaining the Infection Prevention & Control budget and be conscious of the financial implications of their advice. AUDIT AND RESEARCH To assist the Infection Prevention & Control Team to develop and produce the annual Infection Prevention & Control audit program. To undertake, in close liaison with the Head Nurse, proactive programs of infection surveillance and audits of the implementation of, and compliance with Infection Prevention & Control policies and guidance. Analyse and disseminate research findings and data and implement relevant findings.
Provide relevant information for use by Clinical Service Lines and the Executive Team. Collaborate with the Infection Prevention & Control Team in providing microbiological and epidemiological surveys, and in the organization evaluation studies of new techniques and equipment. To conduct research in close liaison with the Consultant Microbiologists and to act as a nursing research resource to others in matters relating to Infection Prevention & Control. QUALITY To advise the Trust on isolation techniques, correcting hazardous or ineffective procedures and to act in consultation with the Infection Prevention & Control Team and senior medical and nursing staff regarding the need for the transfer of patients to the isolation ward or a side room.
Review national and local documents and advise the Trust accordingly on the impact of these on practice. To provide Infection Prevention & Control nursing advice, taking into account national guidance, to all areas within the Trust in order to develop, maintain and improve standards and quality of care for patients and the quality of operational and support services. To liaise with the Occupational Health Department when dealing with advice relating to health and safety of staff and the transmission of infection from staff to patients and other members of the organizations staff and visitors. To lead on the investigation and management of outbreaks of infection.
To act as specialist advisor to the health care teams in the Trust in matters of Infection Prevention & Control. Evaluate new techniques and equipment with reference to Infection Prevention & Control procedures and practices. TRAINING AND EDUCATION Support the Head Nurse to ensure that infection prevention and control programmes of continuous education are provided in line with the needs of the Trust and current national legislation. Provide training and information to staff formally and informally on effective measures to control infection, in conjunction with the Trust training & education team.
Update on policies, feedback of audit results and examples of good practice for all health workers within the trust. Ensure that relevant health promotion information to patients relatives and health care professional is available, regularly reviewed and updated. To provide presentations and speak at local, national and international events if required. PROFESSIONAL To ensure all professional advice regarding Infection Prevention & Control is provided in liaison with the Head Nurse and DIPC.
To assess ones own educational needs in relation to this specialist role and identify and utilize appropriate resources. Maintain active membership of appropriate professional organizations e.g. Infection Prevention Society (IPS). Be responsible for undertaking continuous professional self-development and updating of clinical knowledge and skills.
To provide and demonstrate evidence based practice. Work within the NMC Code at all times. Continuously strive for effective communication within the multi-disciplinary teams of the Trust and patients where appropriate to do so. To act professionally and in accordance with all Trust policies to ensure promotion of the Trusts reputation at all times

Please refer the Job description for details