Senior Public Health Lead (Infection Prevention and Control Specialist)

at  Surrey County Council

Job Introduction This role has a starting salary of £59,868 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.
We are excited to be hiring a Senior Public Health Lead (Infection Prevention and Control Specialist (IPC)) to join our fantastic Public Health team. The team focuses on a range of health protection issues, including IPC, working collaboratively with a wide variety of partners.
The team is based in Woodhatch Place, Reigate and works in a hybrid way, combining face-to-face work in locations around Surrey and working from home.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and Development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the TeamThe Public Health Team sits within the newly formed Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships Directorate, working alongside colleagues from Adult Social Care and Communities teams. The Team you will be joining focuses on supporting partners and residents on health protection issues such as infection prevention and control, immunisation and screening assurance, infectious diseases, air quality, climate change impacts on health, environmental hazards, planning and health, emergency planning, and migrant health.
About the RoleWe are looking for a dynamic and innovative individual with leadership, communication and technical skills, and a real commitment to protecting health and reducing health inequalities.
You will support the Consultant in Public Health (Health Improvement Team and Health Protection Team) and Health Protection Team Manager, to deliver on the infection prevention and control agenda for care settings and other non-healthcare settings across Surrey.
You will focus on infection prevention and control supporting the care settings initially and then widening this to other non-healthcare settings, to embed good IPC practice and develop networks. You will work collaboratively with other members of the Public Health team; partners within the Council such as adult and children’s social care teams, education, communication teams; and other organisations including Frimley and Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Boards, UK Health Security Agency, District and Borough Council Environmental Health teams, Surrey Care Association and community groups.
You will be key in joining up colleagues who work on infection prevention and control to proactively protect health e.g. care home leads, IPC colleagues in other organisations; and in response to incidents e.g. outbreaks of infectious disease; to provide the Director of Public Health with assurance on IPC priorities. This includes working closely with our Communications team to provide information and advice to our residents, staff and partners.

Shortlisting criteriaTo be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• How you match the role profile (attached), particularly the sections in yellow (role purpose, work context, line management and budget responsibility, and specific qualifications and/or experience)
• Possession of Masters degree in Public Health / Health Promotion / Health Protection or a relevant subject (e.g. post graduate IPC qualification), or significant level of experience demonstrating comprehensive application of infection prevention and control specialist knowledge in a relevant setting
• Experience of working in infection prevention and control roles, delivering programmes of work, and understanding of the IPC challenges in care homes and non-healthcare sectors
• Experience of developing and delivering IPC training and audit programmes
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to communicate with people of all levels
• Working with multi-agency partners and networks including chairing multi-agency meetings.

Contact usPlease contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.
For an informal discussion please contact Lisa Harvey-Vince by e-mail and/or telephone at lisa.harveyvince@surreycc.gov.uk or on 07814 281464.

OUR VALUES

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups

Please refer the Job description for details