About this role
Job summary
The Band 6 Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Nurse is a key member of the IPC Team, responsible for delivering specialist, evidence-based advice and support to clinical and non-clinical staff to minimise the risk of healthcare-associated infections. The role combines proactive surveillance with reactive management of infection risks, including outbreak investigation, patient isolation decisions, and interpretation of microbiological data. The post holder works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, microbiology, and public health colleagues to ensure safe patient care, effective infection control practices, and compliance with national standards. The role also involves education, audit, and maintaining clinical competence through ward-based practice, contributing to improved patient safety, quality of care, and organisational performance.
Main duties of the job The Band 6 IPC Nurse works as part of the Infection Prevention and Control Team, providing expert, evidence-based advice to clinical and non-clinical staff on infection control both proactively and in response to issues. The role involves supporting patient management decisions, including isolation and transfer, interpreting microbiological data, and advising on appropriate treatment and infection control measures in collaboration with senior staff and microbiology teams. The post holder maintains surveillance of infection rates, monitors for outbreaks, and leads or contributes to outbreak investigation and management in line with Trust and national guidance. They also liaise with multidisciplinary teams on patient discharge and follow-up, undertake ward-based practice to maintain clinical competence, and carry out specialist testing such as operating theatre air quality assessments.
About us
There's never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH. We're working on a once in a generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital due to open in 2031/32 and we are also carrying out on one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we've ever undertaken.
Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.
At The QEH we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs and South Lincs.
We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as 'Good', and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.
We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approx. 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome. We love working here and think you will too.
Job description Job responsibilities
Overview of Essential Responsibilities:
Clinical
1. Act as a member of the IP&CT to provide advice to clinical and non-clinical staff in all matters relating to infection control both proactively and reactively in liaison with Senior IP&CT members.
2. Ensure the provision of effective evidence-based clinical care to the highest standard.
3. Act in consultation with senior medical/nursing personnel regarding the transfer of patients for isolation purposes to Specialist Infectious Disease/ Isolation Units.
4. Liaise with the appropriate clinical staff, managers, infection control and public health professionals on the discharge and follow-up of clients with an infectious disease or alert organism, giving information on any management and/or specific treatments required.
5. Maintain clinical competence by participating in regular ward-based practice.
6. Seek and interpret microbiological data to assist in the prevention and control of infection.
7. Appraise the clinical relevance of microbiological data to the patients well being and advise accordingly, in liaison with senior members of IP&CT.
8. Inform clinical teams of alert organism results, as advised by the Microbiology Department and other agencies. Advise the clinical teams on the appropriate management and recommending treatment within agreed guidance.
9. Maintain records of the incidence of infection, feeding back to clinical teams and monitoring for signs of outbreaks/cross-infection.
10. Accept referrals from other disciplines and respond appropriately.
11. Carry out microbiological testing of operating theatre air quality as required.
12. Investigate and manage potential and actual outbreaks of infection in line with the Trusts Major Outbreak Control Plan and national guidance in liaison with Senior IP&CT members.
Training
1. Monitor, observe and participate in clinical care as necessary to ensure the implementation of and compliance with infection control policies and where appropriate initiate any action that may be required.
2. Act as a positive role model in providing clinically effective care to patients.
3. Deliver prepared education and study sessions/training programmes, in formal and informal settings, on infection prevention and its control to clinical and non-clinical Trust staff of all grades/disciplines.
3a. Prepare presentations within the scope of current knowledge and in liaison with senior IP&CT members.
4. Provide prepared induction and mandatory training in collaboration with the Trusts Training department.
4a. Assist in the preparation of training material for the annual programme.
5. Ensure staff have knowledge of specific infection control measures following the reporting of alert organism laboratory results.
6. Deliver existing infection control training and education programmes to both medical and nursing students up to degree level from the University of East Anglia.
7. Give advice, information and support to all staff who are caring for patients with infections. Liaise with senior IP&CT members depending on current level of training/knowledge.
8. Inform, advise, and support patients relating to the prevention and control of infectious conditions, and where appropriate the potential and actual consequences. Subject to patient confidentiality being safeguarded, similar services being offered to the patients carers, relatives and visitors as appropriate.
9. Educate patients/clients/carers/relatives in methods of infection prevention and control in relation to their specific needs e.g. hand hygiene.
10. Participate in health promotion activities as able.
11. Provide advice on decontamination and disinfection at ward/department & trust wide level in conjunction with existing Trust policy and with support from senior IP&CT members.
Communication
1. Develop and maintain good working relationships with others across and within professional boundaries to promote effective and high-quality care both within the Trust and outside.
2. Ensure confidentiality is respected at all times and the service provided is non-judgemental.
3. Communicate detailed and sensitive information to staff, patients, relatives and other members of the public. Required to discuss issues pertaining to assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care.
4. Maintain clear, concise and contemporaneous records both written and electronic, of advice and information given and action taken accordance with standards according to relevant professional body e.g. NMC, HCPC.
5. Maintain channels of effective verbal and written communication about infection control issues within the team, Trust and outside agencies where applicable.
Research/Audit/Surveillance
1. Participate in clinical audit or surveillance activities where appropriate. Collect, collate, analyse and feedback clinical data from audit and surveillance activities to those parties concerned.
2. Undertake environmental audit/monitoring of clinical areas as required.
3. Advise on purchase, evaluation & maintenance of equipment to ensure that appropriate standards of Infection Control are maintained referring to relevant manufacturers & national guidance documents in liaison with a senior IP&CT colleagues.
4. Participate in research relevant to infection control, interpret and analyse published research findings and where appropriate apply findings to practice.
Management
1. As a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Team, participate in the formulation, evaluation and annual review of the Trusts Infection Control programme with senior IP&CT colleagues.
2. Maintain the network of infection control link personnel throughout the Trust.
3. To be a member of the Trusts Hospital Infection Control Committee.
4. Investigate under supervision any complaints or reports of dissatisfaction relating to infection control issues and take appropriate action.
5. Report any potential risks initiating appropriate action/investigation through the risk management system.
6. Undertake infection control measures within the Trust, to facilitate quality improvement. Recommend action/alterations as necessary in liaison with Senior IP&CT members.
7. Liaise with infection control colleagues and other care agencies to facilitate transfer of infectious patients to and from any health care setting.
8. Deputising for the Clinical Nurse Specialists in their absence.
9. Participate as an advisor on Infection Control in the alteration or development of buildings and services.
10. Participate in the process of commissioning or re-commissioning of facilities after construction, maintenance or repair.
11. Identify early evidence of cross-infection and recommend control measures.
12. Participate in the investigation of outbreaks of hospital-acquired infection with particular reference to their source and mode of spread.
13. Act as a member of the Major Outbreak Control Group when required as per Trust policy.
14. Be actively involved in the review and formulation of evidence-based policies for infection control (including prevention) defining special areas of risk, and implement these in the Trust.
15. Participate in policy review, development and implementation in conjunction with other Public Health and Infection Control agencies.
16. Advise Senior Managers on recent advances in infection control and prevention.
17. Support managers in the implementation of agreed policies in their specific areas, with priority given to areas of special risk.
18. Raise awareness within the Trust of infection control issues in the wider context of the NHS e.g. Clinical Governance, Controls Assurance standards.
19. Contribute to business plans/reports produced within the Trust, related to Infection Control.
20. Participate in staff recruitment processes as required.
Leadership
1. Act as a positive change agent identifying and initiating changes as required to enhance service provision, locally or Trust-wide.
2. Ensure compliance with the Trusts Health and Safety policies in order to provide a safe environment for staff, patients, visitors and their families.
3. Manage a clinical caseload of patients with conditions related to alert organisms.
Professional
1. To provide a high standard of Professional conduct and care at all times in accordance with the relevant professional body, e.g. NMC, HCPC.
2. To participate in teaching Nursing and Medical students, and other students as appropriate who visit the hospital.
3. To attend relevant meetings, courses, seminars and keep professionally up-to-date.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registered Nurse with the NMC or working towards and due to qualify in the next six months Degree/Diploma in Nursing or equivalent
Desirable
Teaching and Assessing qualification Undertaken mentorship training
Experience Essential
Broad experience across clinical settings
Desirable
Relevant Post-Registration clinical experience
Skills Essential
Ability to work as part of a team Confident and calm attitude with an ability to work under pressure Ability to provide holistic nursing care Good organisational & team building skills Knowledge of professional issues in nursing incorporating NMC and IPAC
Desirable
Teaching, assessment and supervision of others Clinical Governance experience Risk Management experience
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT
Address The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
Kings Lynn
PE30 4ET
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.qehkl.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)