Infection Prevention & Control Sister

This post will offer valuable experience across a wide variety of disciplines and the opportunity for the post-holder to develop their skills within a diverse team which works proactively with the local health economy. We provide Trust-wide infection prevention and control service and the team is structured to support the three operational Care Groups within the Trust; therefore the post-holder will be expected to work independently across multiple clinical specialties. . The post-holder will provide strong leadership which inspires and motivates others, empowering them to ensure all Trust infection prevention and control policies and procedures are implemented. Key areas of responsibility include leading on the band 6 infection prevention nurse development program, project management, surveillance of healthcare associated infections particularly multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile; undertaking case reviews and post-infection reviews, audit clinical areas and clinical practice, and provision of specialist advice and support for staff, patients and visitors in order to maintain a safe clean environment and prevent/control infections., An experienced, knowledgeable and effective member of the Infection Control Team who is able to work autonomously, making high level decisions to treat health needs within the Trust. He/she will be responsible for delivering on all aspects of IPC nursing, providing specialist advice, support and training to the Trust., The Infection Prevention and Control Nurse is responsible for contributing to Infection prevention, surveillance, investigation and control activities within the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. This is done in co-operation with the IPCD/Lead IPCN and other members of the Infection Prevention and Control Team, and a member of the Trust's Infection Prevention and Control Committee Clinical o Maintain own clinical competence through negotiated personal and professional development. o To pursue a programme of continuous education in line with the needs of the Trust, PREP, and current legislation and to keep informed of current research developments. o To act as a role model and provide clinical expertise in order to promote and facilitate high standards of infection prevention and control in clinical practice throughout the Trust. o To provide information in a timely and appropriate manner to staff and be a specialist advisor in all matters relating to infection prevention and control, other than where specific medical advice is required. o To identify, investigate and monitor specific alert organisms/conditions in addition to hazardous practices and procedures. o To work with the Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse/Doctor and other members of the Infection Prevention and Control team in the investigation and management of outbreaks within the Trust. This may necessitate working at weekends or bank holidays. o To be responsible for the provision of IPCN advice to services to the care groups within the Trust.

• Manage the IP&C Nurses on a day-to-day basis, ensuring supervision, mentorship and assessment and assisting when required, with the appraisal process.
• Deputising for Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse when required, o To review, develop and deliver education and training programmes in line with the requirements of the Trust.
o Help to create a supportive learning environment within the Trust that is conducive to practice based inter-professional education. o To represent the Trust and present research papers as appropriate at professional meetings and conferences on matters relating to infection prevention and control and infectious diseases. o To act as mentor/supervisor for trainee IPCN's/Champions. Clinical Governance o Ensure Standards are set and monitored in line with the requirements of the Health Care Commission and Health Act 2008 as well as national guidelines and Trust policies/procedures. o In liaison with the Care Group Matrons/ Infection control champions and the IPCT, critically appraise and evaluate infection prevention and control practices through a structured audit programme. o Contribute to the development of the clinical governance within the Trust by taking part in meetings and quality reviews. o Critically evaluate the reliability, validity and application to practice of the published literature and critically appraise current practice in light of research findings. o Be involved in the complaint procedures, monitoring trends and responding to opportunities for quality improvements. o To collaborate with the IPCD and other members of the Infection Prevention and Control Team to develop and implement clinical policies/protocols and prepare reports on outbreaks and other specific incidents of concern. Liaison and Advice o Provide clinical advice and support to all healthcare professionals, patients and relatives in matters relating to Infection Prevention and Control. o Maintain a professional network within Berkshire to ensure a seamless service is delivered across all locations of responsibility.Person specificationInfection Prevention & Control Qualification / Current Post-graduate IPC StudyEssential criteria
• Infection Prevention
Current employment within the RBFT Infection Prevention & Control Team, The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.


• Must be an existing member of the RBFT Infection Prevention & Control Team
Desirable criteria
• Recent experience working within an Infection Prevention & Control Team
Interpersonal and Professional SkillsEssential criteria
• 3 years experience
• Experience with dealing with Complex Infection Control issues (such as outbreaks)
Desirable criteria
• Infection Prevention & Control Qualification, Essential criteria
• 3 years experience
Desirable criteria
• Recent experience working within Infection Prevention & Control, You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
  
  Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated 'Good' with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust's overall rating has also improved to 'good'. This is a great opportunity to join our clinical or non-clinical teams to create a positive and motivating environment within our trust. Come and join our team in this exciting time of change as we pride ourselves, our staff and our services on excellence.
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is "Working together to provide outstanding care for our community." We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don't you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical. Diversity is what makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding. Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community., By applying for this post you are agreeing to Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Appointment to any position is conditional on the satisfactory completion of the core NHS Employment Checks Standards. Information disclosed in your application will be checked and any offer of appointment may be withdrawn if you knowingly withhold information or provide false or misleading information. All new appointments to the Trust, with the exception of executive positions, are subject to a 6 month probationary period. The Trust may close any vacancy prior to the advertised closing date due to the high level of responses we receive for some of our vacancies. Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is committed to improving the health of its staff, patients and the wider community by providing a smoke free environment. A smoke free policy is in operation and smoking is not permitted on any of the Trust's sites.

Staff Benefits
• Flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on your work, life balance
• Annual leave - 27 days for new starters, plus bank holidays. Increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years NHS service. Pro rata for part time staff
• NHS pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Money Advice Service
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave for eligible staff
• On-site nursery (based at RBH)
• Full educational library services
• Cycle to work scheme, lockable storage for cycles
• Bus to work scheme
• Excellent rail and bus links
• A huge range of Health Service Discounts at hundreds of big brands from holidays to gadgets and restaurants to retail.