Infection Prevention and Control Healthcare Technician

Are you looking for a new challenge and to be involved with working with the Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT) to enhance patient safety and maintain IPC standards across the trust. An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Infection Prevention and Control Team. The post holder will work with other members of the IPCT on the prevention, surveillance, investigation, audit, and general control of infection in UHSussex hospitals and satellite units. The post holder will predominantly base in the clinical environments of the Trust., + To carry out IPC audits as directed by the IPC nursing team. This will include hand hygiene, IV cannula use, decontamination of equipment e.g. commodes, clinical environment, water facilities, and other audits as identified and required.
+ To be a visible presence in wards and clinical environment
+ To deal with patients in a kind, sensitive and professional manner at all times.
+ To manage IPC signage including posters for isolation and hand hygiene.
+ To carry out ward based education activities including hand hygiene technique and compliance, safe use of water outlets, equipment cleaning and decontamination and other areas as required.
+ Use a range of audit tools e.g. Tendable to carry out audit activity.
+ Review information collected and give relevant feedback in the clinical area and escalate any concerns to IPC Nurse.
+ Champion good IPC practice and act as a role model in the clinical environments.
+ Support the IPC Champions at local level.
+ Work alongside peers in clinical practice for a minimum of two hours per week.
+ Support the Trust fit testing campaign.
+ With relevant training to use the Trust data systems to provide colleagues with up-to-date information.
+ Contribute to effective communication with the multidisciplinary team. Speak politely and confidently to staff at all grades to praise good practice and raise any IPC concerns., + To carry out IPC audits as directed by the IPC nursing team. This will include hand hygiene, IV cannula use, decontamination of equipment e.g. commodes, clinical environment, water facilities, and other audits as identified and required.
+ To be a visible presence in wards and clinical environment, identifying IPC concerns within scope of competency and referring where needed to senior colleagues.
+ To participate as directed in the programme for surgical site infection surveillance (SSI).
+ To assist in collecting information for post infection reviews including C.difficile, E. coli and others as needed.
+ To deal with patients in a kind, sensitive and professional manner at all times.
+ To manage IPC signage including posters for isolation and hand hygiene.
+ To assist in the assessment of clinical areas with respect to IPC.
+ To carry out ward based education activities including hand hygiene technique and compliance, safe use of water outlets, equipment cleaning and decontamination and other areas as required.
+ Use a range of audit tools e.g. Tendable to carry out audit activity.
+ Review information collected and give relevant feedback in the clinical area and escalate any concerns to IPC Nurse.
+ Maintain suitable and accurate records of activity and advice.
+ To have highly developed knowledge and skills in word processing packages, presentations, and email to support productions of reports and graphs.
+ Champion good IPC practice and act as a role model in the clinical environments.
+ Support the IPC Champions at local level.
+ Work alongside peers in clinical practice for a minimum of two hours per week.
+ Support the Trust fit testing campaign.
+ Support provision of study days and other educational events.
+ To participate in specific IPC focussed events e.g. hand hygiene week, antimicrobial awareness week.
+ To enter information and data accurately and efficiently onto the relevant databases and systems and prepare the records and files.
+ To create and maintain manual and computerised filling systems, enabling timely and accurate information retrieval.
+ With relevant training to use the Trust data systems to provide colleagues with up-to-date information.
+ Contribute to effective communication with the multidisciplinary team.
+ Speak politely and confidently to staff at all grades to praise good practice and raise any IPC concerns.
+ Be creative with ideas to enhance IPC practice across the trust.
+ Participate in maintaining a friendly, professional, open environment where the contribution of all team members is valued.
+ Visit wards and departments, communicating routine infection prevention information with healthcare professionals and patients to collect sensitive clinical information.
+ Participate in meetings and share information with other members of the team.
+ Feel confident to report any concerns to the Infection Prevention Nurses to facilitate improvements.
+ Respect confidentiality of all information received.
+ To identify areas for service improvement and participate in the implementation of appropriate actions.
+ Work with staff in clinical areas on infection prevention practices where tact, persuasion may be required to obtain the required information i.e. from nursing records, verbal conversations, medical records.
+ Support the IPCT with the audit annual programme (program will involve, daily, weekly, monthly, and annual audits), ensuring accuracy of data collection, recording and data entry.
+ Monitor practice through observation, reporting to the IPC nurses any issues identified, making analysis of facts as observed.
+ To contribute and participate in departmental audits as required and in conjunction with the IPCT.
+ Contribute under supervision to the reporting of surveillance microorganisms, ensuring that recording is accurate.
+ Produce statistical information as determined by the IPC Nurses.
+ Act as a role model for infection prevention practices and challenge other staff as appropriate, demonstrating practices where required to other staff.
+ Input electronic data for each patient onto the UKHSA database and submit completed records via the UKHSA web link, ensuring the Trust meets the required deadline for submission.
Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
Important information for applicants
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal - to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.