NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical:

• To act as a specialist resource to all staff, clinical and non-clinical, on issues relating to infection prevention and control.
• To maintain close liaison with the Infection Control Doctor and other medical microbiologists and virologists on matters relating to infection prevention and control.
• To be highly visible, accessible and approachable to staff, patients and the public to ensure that open and honest communication channels are created and sustained.
• To communicate effectively with staff, patients and relatives especially where feedback may be of a highly contentious, sensitive or emotive nature.
• To maintain an overview of the standards of care being delivered in terms of the prevention of healthcare associated infection and to instigate remedial action of necessary.
• To seek early evidence of cross infection with a view to recommending immediate control measures. The result to be documented and recommendations made to prevent recurrence.
• To explain the significance of cross infection with a view to recommending immediate control measures.
•  To use relevant information technology to collect and interpret clinical data, review critical incidents and produce written reports with recommendations where necessary.
•  To maintain accurate records of outbreaks, incidents and alert organism advice.
• To advise and supervise the management of patients with communicable disease in accordance with best practice and statutory requirements.
• To provide advice relating to infection prevention and control as required.
• To act as a role model to all staff.
•  To work in conjunction with ward managers, other members of the Infection Control Team, Clinical Site Management Team and bed managers to manage the movement and isolation of patients with infection or infectious diseases.
• To support with the investigation of outbreaks, seeking advice from those with expertise where necessary and report to Infection Prevention and Control Team.

Management:

• To work autonomously and seek collaborative relationships with others across and within professional boundaries.
   To be an active member of relevant committees and working groups.
• To provide cross cover to the Infection Control Nursing Team, across site when necessary.
•  When necessary, to deputise for Senior Infection Control team member.
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  Education, Research and Audit:
  To promote and implement evidence based practice taking the requirements of clinical governance, national targets and national guidelines into account.
  To demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of continuous quality improvements by auditing the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and using audit to change and improve practice.
  To promote good practice by sharing audit and research data within the organisation and externally through journals, meetings and peer groups.
   In collaboration with the Head of Infection Control Surveillance, to participate in data capture for surveillance as required by national and local surveillance requirements.
   To be an active participant in the formulation of policies, standards and protocols relating to infection control in liaison with multidisciplinary and management teams.
  To undertake and participate in research initiatives applicable to the service and be aware of new developments in infection prevention and control, including external clinical research trails.
  To maintain a high profile at ward level to ensure that attitudes and working practises reflects the Infection Control Teams commitment to a continual improvement in the quality of its service.
  Participate and deliver local Infection Control education and teaching for different groups of staff.
  Prepare and use a variety of methods to deliver appropriate information effectively.
  Personal Development:
  To adhere to the NMC Professional Code of Conduct at all times.
  To ensure clinical and administrative policies and procedures are adhered to.

 To maintain clinical competence and credibility.
 To take personal responsibility for own professional growth and to develop agreed action plan with the Senior/Lead Infection Control Nurse.