About this role
Job summary
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to join a flourishing and well-established Infection Prevention and Control team. Are you looking for an opportunity for change? Would you enjoy the opportunity to be directly involved in Infection Prevention and Control? There is never a better time to join the team.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high performing organisation with a track record of success.
Main duties of the job
Monitor compliance with infection prevention and control standards, including audits of hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, patient equipment etc.
Support data collection, data entry and reporting for infection prevention and control audits, surveillance activity and surgical site infection surveillance.
Support clinical teams, wards and departments to apply infection prevention and control principles in practice.
Deliver education and practical training to healthcare staff, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, preceptorship training and other infection prevention and control procedures.
Monitor infection prevention and control documentation, identify gaps and escalate concerns appropriately.
Support Infection Prevention and Control Nurses with patient reviews relating to specific organisms or infection prevention and control risks.
Work within agreed competencies, recognising the limits of the role and escalating clinical or practice concerns to registered practitioners.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Assistant Practitioner will work collaboratively with the multi-professional team and Infection Prevention and Control Nurses to support the delivery of safe, effective infection prevention and control practice across the Trust. The post holder will assist with audit, surveillance, data collection and analysis, education and patient reviews, working independently within agreed competencies and under the leadership of registered nurses.
The role will support clinical teams to maintain compliance with infection prevention and control standards, promote good practice, challenge behaviours that do not align with Trust policy and escalate concerns appropriately. The post holder will contribute to quality assurance, quality improvement and service development, while ensuring accurate documentation and clear advice is provided to staff caring for patients with known or suspected infections.
Role overview and expectations:
Supporting the Trusts Audit and Surveillance Nurse with audits, surveillance activity, data entry and data collation.
Working within agreed competencies, recognising the limits of the role and remaining accountable for own actions.
Providing education, coaching and practical infection prevention and control training to members of the multidisciplinary team.
Reviewing patients with known infection prevention and control risks, documenting advice accurately in patient records and supporting staff to deliver appropriate care.
Monitoring infection prevention and control documentation, completing audits and collating findings to support improvement activity.
Contributing to quality improvement projects and service development across the Trust.
Using Microsoft Office systems, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint, to support reporting, documentation and presentation of information.
Working alongside Infection Prevention and Control Nurses to support the delivery of safe and effective infection prevention and control practice.
Travelling across Trust sites as required to support infection prevention and control activity.
Person Specification
Special Requirements Essential
Ability to travel independently across Trust sites as required by the role.
Desirable
Flexible approach to meet service needs.
Qualifications Essential
Foundation degree, Nursing Associate qualification, or equivalent relevant qualification/experience.
Desirable
Evidence of an interest in infection prevention and control. Experience of supporting or delivering teaching/education sessions.
Experience Essential
Experience of working in a healthcare setting, including experience as a Healthcare Assistant or in a comparable clinical support role.
Desirable
Previous experience within infection prevention and control or a related clinical governance/quality role. Experience of supporting education, training or awareness sessions.
Special Skills & Knowledge Essential
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate clinical competence within the scope of the role. Good IT skills and confidence using computer-based systems. Ability to liaise effectively with nursing, medical and wider multidisciplinary teams. Ability to plan, organise and support projects or areas of work. Able to work using own initiative and as part of a team. Confident, assertive and professional approach. Polite, calm and professional manner.
Desirable
Knowledge of infection prevention and control principles. Awareness of audit, surveillance or quality improvement processes. Experience using electronic patient record or healthcare
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address University Hospital Of North Durham
North Road
DURHAM
DH1 5TW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)