Infection Prevention and Control Clinical Nurse Specialist

• Lead and participate in infection prevention and control inspections, assurance audits and governance across all Trust services.
• Participate in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) rounds with the Antimicrobial Lead and the Antimicrobial Specialist Pharmacist.
• Monitor compliance with national standards, Trust policies and regulatory requirements.
• Support compliance with the Health and Social Care Act, Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards and national infection prevention requirements.
• Prepare reports and assurance documentation for Trust governance committees.

• Act as a senior clinical educator for infection prevention and control across Whittington Health.
• Work with the team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the Trust's infection prevention and control education and training strategy.
• Design, deliver and evaluate infection prevention and control teaching programmes for all staff groups, including registered professionals, support workers, medical staff, students, volunteers and contractors while ensuring that education programmes reflect current legislation, national guidance, evidence-based practice and Trust priorities.
• Provide specialist education during outbreaks, incidents and emerging infection threats to ensure staff maintain safe and effective practice. Utilise audit findings, surveillance data, incident investigations and patient safety learning to inform educational programmes and improve practice.
• Support the development and sustainability of Infection Prevention and Control Link Practitioner programmes across all clinical areas.
• Contribute to the assessment and validation of staff competencies relating to infection prevention and control practice.
• Work collaboratively with the Practice Education Team, Clinical Leads, Professional Leads and Divisional Teams to identify learning needs and develop targeted educational interventions.
• Promote a culture of continuous professional development, reflective learning and evidence-based practice throughout the organisation.

• Lead on the surveillance activities relating to healthcare-associated infections.
• Analyse surveillance data and identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Produce regular reports for clinical divisions, senior management and governance committees.
• Contribute to achievement of Trust infection reduction targets and quality objectives.
• Utilise electronic surveillance systems and digital reporting tools to monitor infection prevention and control performance.
• Interpret complex data sets and present findings in an accessible format to clinical and management teams.
• Develop data-driven recommendations to support quality improvement and patient safety.

• Develop, coordinate and implement the Trust-wide IPC audit programme to ensure compliance with local and national standards.
• Lead and participate in audits relating to: - Hand hygiene.
• Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions (SICPs).
• Transmission-Based Precautions.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Isolation practices.
• Environmental cleanliness.
• Invasive device management.
• Aseptic technique.
• Decontamination and equipment management.
• Analyse audit findings, surveillance data and compliance reports to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Produce comprehensive audit reports and assurance summaries for clinical divisions, governance groups, the Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC) and Trust Board reporting structures.
• Develop and monitor action plans arising from audit findings, inspections, incidents and outbreaks.
• Support clinical teams to implement audit recommendations and achieve measurable improvements in compliance and patient safety outcomes. Provide expert advice and challenge where audit findings identify non-compliance or unsafe practice.
• Contribute to organisational preparedness for internal and external inspections, including CQC visits and PLACE-based partnership reviews.
• Support the development of audit tools, performance indicators and assurance frameworks aligned to national guidance and Trust priorities.
• Utilise quality improvement methodologies to support sustainable changes in practice and reduce healthcare-associated infections.
• Ensure lessons learned from audits, outbreaks, incidents and investigations are disseminated effectively and embedded into clinical practice.
• Work collaboratively with divisional leads, matrons, ward managers and governance teams to promote continuous improvement and demonstrate assurance against statutory and regulatory requirements.

• Lead and coordinate infection prevention and control responses to outbreaks, incidents and clusters.
• Undertake and contribute to post infection reviews (PIR) and serious incident investigations (SII).
• Participate in outbreak control meetings and implement agreed actions.
• Escalate infection prevention risks appropriately and support organisational risk management processes.
• Liaise with UK Health Security Agency and other partner organisations when required.

• Lead and participate in quality improvement projects aimed at reducing infection risks.
• Contribute to the development and review of IPC policies, procedures and guidance.
• Support implementation of national guidance and emerging evidence.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative approaches to infection prevention.

• Contribute to the development, delivery and evaluation of the Trust Infection Prevention and Control Strategy and Annual Programme.
• Lead on the implementation of national infection prevention and control guidance and regulatory requirements across the organisation.
• Develop, review and update Trust infection prevention and control policies, procedures and guidance documents.
• Support organisational compliance with the Health and Social Care Act Code of Practice.
• Contribute expert specialist advice to Trust governance committees and working groups.

Essential

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration
• Degree in Nursing or related healthcare subject
• Evidence of Level 7 academic study or equivalent specialist experience in Infection Prevention and Control
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Teaching, mentorship or assessing qualification

Desirable

• Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control
• Master's degree or working towards Master's level
• Leadership or management development training

Essential

• Ability to provide specialist IPC advice across a range of services
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex data and surveillance reports
• Ability to design, deliver and evaluate educational programmes for multidisciplinary staff groups.
• Ability to challenge and influence practice in all organisational levels
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently
• Ability to lead investigations and formulate action plans
• Ability to manage complex situations requiring negotiation and diplomacy
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Significant experience of leading IPC audits within acute and community healthcare settings including developing, implementing, and monitoring action plans following audits and inspections
• Experience in analysing and presenting complex audit and surveillance data to support quality improvement programmes and demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Experience in analysing and presenting complex audit and surveillance data to support quality improvement programmes and demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Advanced IT skills including Microsoft Office applications

Essential

• Significant post-registration nursing experience
• Extensive experience working within Infection Prevention and Control services
• Experience in developing policies, guidelines or standard operating procedures
• Experience of HCAI surveillance and reporting
• Experience of audit, governance and quality improvement activities
• Experience of outbreak and incident management
• Significant experience in delivering education, training and competency assessment within healthcare settings.
• Experience developing and implementing learning programmes that improve clinical practice and patient safety.
• Experience of post-infection review (PIR) analysis and incident investigations
• Experience presenting assurance reports and support CQC inspections or equivalent external assurance reviews.
• Detailed knowledge of IPC legislation, standards and guidance
• Knowledge of microbiology relevant to infection prevention and control
• Knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship principles
• Experience in supporting workforce development and practice improvement initiatives.

Essential

• Professional credibility and integrity
• Strong leadership qualities
• Commitment to patient safety and quality improvement
• Ability to work collaboratively across professional boundaries
• Resilient and adaptable approach to work
• Ability to challenge constructively and professionally
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Self-motivated and proactive