Job Title

Go back Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Associate Director of NursingThe closing date is 30 July 2025An exciting opportunity has arisen at Great Western NHS Foundation Trust to appoint an experienced Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner. The post holder will work with the Director for Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC) to lead, manage and provide a proactive strategic infection prevention and control service ensuring that the Trust continually improves its performance in reducing healthcare-associated infections by developing systems that are evidence-based and grounded in best practice. As a professional role model and strong clinical leader you will demonstrate an excellent understanding of infection prevention and control issues, analytical thinking and ensuring that patients are placed at the centre of care delivery. We have a well established and dynamic Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team which supports services across the Trust. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and inspire teams whilst promoting high standards and excellence in patient care. You will report to the Deputy Chief Nurse and be accountable to the Chief Nurse and DIPC. as part of the Chief Nurse team the post holder will work closely with the senior nurse to drive up quality and care standards. Main duties of the jobAs Associate Director of Nursing the post holder will lead the Infection Prevention and Control strategy and agenda in collaboration with the Chief Nurse. The post holder will also be a senior member of the Corporate Nursing team and provide leadership and support to the wider portfolio within the Chief Nurse's remit such as supporting the pressure ulcer reduction plan. The post holder will provide senior leadership, strategic support and specialist clinical expert advice across the organisation in relation to infection prevention and control, clinical sustainability and clinical quality, including the drive to improve standards of care and patient experience. They will exercise high levels of judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care. They will ensure the delivery of a robust Infection Prevention and Control service to the Trust (across all sites) thereby reducing the incidence of healthcare associated infections and contributing to the quality of patient care and service delivery. They will work with a high level of autonomy, working closely with the divisional teams and corporate services such as Estates, creating workable solutions, providing highly expert advice and acting as a representative for the Trust on external advisory groups/bodies as required. About usWe are looking for someone who will continue to be drive the clinical sustainability agenda and support improvements in quality, cost and environmental. We would support the professional development of an individual to take this forward. The post holder will work in collaboration with the Chief Nurse to be the public face of infection prevention and control and will be responsible for the production of the annual report, providing details on the organisation's infection prevention and control programme and publication of Health Care Associated Infection data for the organisation. The post holder is responsible with the Chief Nurse (Director of Infection Prevention and Control) and Infection Control Doctor (ICD) for the prevention, monitoring, investigation and control of infection within Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Our STAR values are at the heart of everything we do. You can expect to see them in the way we act and the way we treat each other. Our values make us who we are. We will expect your values and behaviours to reflect the STAR Values of the organisation: Service We will put our patients first Teamwork We will work together AmbitionWe will aspire to provide the best service Respect We will act with integrity Job responsibilities1. Provision of expert advice to Senior colleagues, Trust board and sub board committees in relation to IP&C practice 2. To make decisions with the Chief Nurse / Infection Control Doctor where precedents do not exist and to advise and support colleagues where standard protocols do not apply 3. Provide expert advice for the development and management of services across the organisation 4. To attend, report and challenge on infection control performance and actions to the relevant committees including the Infection Prevention Steering Group (IPSG) 5. In collaboration with the Chief Nurse, assure the Trust Board on the organisations HCAI performance and provide regular reports, including the Annual Report. 6. Lead the production of an annual infection prevention work program, oversee the programme to lead the Trust in reducing healthcare associated infections 7. To exercise leadership to support and inspire colleagues, maintaining clinical competence and credibility in all clinical aspects of IP&C 8. To continually raise the profile of infection control, sustainability and tissue viability / pressure ulcer prevention issues, ensuring ownership by all staff groups 9. The post holder will be an exemplary role model for standards of care and behaviour through clinical practice for the infection control service and tissue viability service 10. The post holder will ensure the governance, accountability and visibility of the IP&C agenda is robust, provides assurance and manages identified risks through the IPSG and the Trust Board, via the Director of Infection Prevention and Control 11. Able to work autonomously when required and make decisions collectively with the key stakeholders. 12. Improves practice and health outcomes so that they are consistent with regional and national standards, by the management and facilitation of change 13. Leads and contributes to local clinical networks and speciality specific groups, working in partnership with other key professionals when advice in infection prevention and control is required 14. Contributes to and leads where appropriate on relevant national policy, advising on impact on service, and leads the implementation of change 15. Is an active member of relevant Trust committees and groups contributing to developing/ implementing local/national strategy and robust reporting systems 16. Develops and evaluates policies/guidelines/protocols for clinical practice 17. Contributes to the clinical effectiveness and risk management process, including adverse incident reporting/investigation and analysis 18. Analyses and collates data in order to inform internal and external professional and operational/regulatory bodies 19. The post holder is responsible for leading compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (revised 2022) Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance to maintain registration and all relevant CQC fundamental standards and ensuring that the infection prevention and control service demonstrates the qualities of a well-led service Sustainability 20. Act as a resource for ward and department leads for sustainability. 21. Work closely with the Trusts Head of Sustainability and their team to ensure a coordinated approach is achieved that facilitates progress on sustainability in both clinical and non-clinical teams. 22. Liaise with ward/department staff and clinical colleagues in suitability of ideas and support to progress. 23. Share learning with key stakeholders for any wider benefits including the spread of best practice. 24. Draw in knowledge and skills of others and utilize wider network resources. 25. Showcase improvements at internal/external and national events raising GWH profile and ambition. 26. Ensure learning from experience is embedded into the culture of IP&C and tissue viability practice across the organisation 27. Set standards, develop and promote best practice utilising leadership and change management skills of the highest order 28. Ensure delivery of a rolling program of assessment of compliance with Care Quality Commission Fundamental Standards relevant to IPC, sustainability and the tissue viability service. Plan remedial action where performance falls below agreed standards 29. The post holder will support and drive nursing research opportunities and oversee the delivery of effective infection prevention and control, sustainability and tissue viability education programmes 30. The post holder will work in collaboration with the Director of Estates and Facilities to effectively deliver the annual PLACE audit and associate improvement plan 31. Ensure and provide assurance that the National IPC Manual and associated appendices 32. is implemented across the Trust and regular reporting is shared at IPSG 33. Develop, support and analyse audit and benchmarking activities, implementing change where appropriate 34. Lead and coordinate the development of quality infection prevention and control, sustainability and Tissue viability services and other corporate initiatives as required, 35. With the Chief Nurse, develop and implement an annual programme for the prevention and control of infection in the Trust and ensure this is communicated throughout the organisation in a clear concise manner. 36. Lead the infection prevention and control nursing service, using a multi-disciplinary approach to empower staff and challenge poor practice and behaviour which compromises patient care 37. Line-manage staff within the Infection Prevention and Control team, and take responsibility for ensuring that objectives are set, and that they receive regular appraisal/performance review including the agreement of personal development plans (PDPs) 38. To represent the Trust in a professional manner in the wider community and key stakeholder meetings as directed by the Chief Nurse 39. Interpret health legislation and directives relating to infection prevention and control with regard to their impact on, or applicability to the Trust, and to ensure their effective implementation through high profile leadership as appropriate 40. To ensure that grievances/disputes and complaints related to infection prevention and control are resolved speedily 41. Lead and support quality improvement processes, embedding Quality Improvement methodology and applied research in partnership with other departments, e.g. clinical governance, research and development, clinical audit 42. Lead the development of organisational strategies by working closely with divisional leads to foster a culture that embeds best practice in infection prevention and control and sustainable organisational change 43. Advise the Trust on financial matters pertaining to infection prevention and control including the expenditure of outbreaks, and the procurement of goods and services within sphere of responsibility 44. Develop effective relationships with key professionals at neighbouring hospitals and other relevant organisations 45. Manage any infection prevention and control service that is contracted to be provided by the Trust, ensuring that quality indicators are met and reported on appropriately 46. With the Chief Nurse, ensure that regular self-assessment is undertaken against compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (revised 2022) Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance to maintain registration with the CQC and provide assurance that compliance is achieved 47. Hold line management and oversee budgetary responsibility for IP&C and other members of the corporate nursing team as directed by the Chief Nurse. 48. Support cost improvement programmes with ideas for financial savings 49. Ensure business and workforce plans, service level agreements and contracts meet the needs of services in the planning and delivery stages, undertaking action when services fall short of expected standards Responsibilities for People or Training 50. Act as an expert role model for infection control and compassionate high quality nursing care within the Trust, be a strong advocate. 51. Use nursing expertise to advise all grades and disciplines of staff on appropriate care for all inpatients and outpatients where this relates to IPC. 52. Act as a specialist adviser and resource to all staff, clinical and non-clinical, on issues relating to Infection prevention and control, sustainability and compassionate high quality nursing care. 53. Liaise and communicate with outside agencies where required to effectively manage outbreaks and individual infections, especially Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC), UK Health Security Agency, Environmental Health (EH) 54. Investigate outbreaks and episodes of cross infection with reference to their source, mode of spread and means of control within the Trust. Investigate critical incidents associated with infection in line with PSIRF. 55. Ensure mechanisms for reporting mandatory infectious diseases, surveillance and critical incidents are maintained. Show commitment to working as a team by working to create an environment in which leadership is encouraged and developed at all levels and ensure staff minimise the transfer of infections between care settings Further information can be found on the attached Job Description Person SpecificationQualificationsRegistered Midwife or Registered Nurse with the Nursing & Midwifery Council with appropriate experience of leading complex services Educated to Masters level with a post graduate qualification in infection prevention and control at BSc/Masters level or equivalent experience Evidence of further professional, academic, business or management study to support delivery of senior role Qualified teaching/presentation skills Quality Improvement methodology course attendance Additional Masters level study in relevant speciality Successful completion of the NHS Improvement Aspirant Deputy or Nurse Director programme ExperienceAbility to manage complex clinical and operational situations that involve staff from all levels within an organisation Able to advise on and implement improvements in relation to IP&C efficiency of care for patients Demonstrates evidence of commitment to professional development Able to lead specific IP&C policy development across the wider health community in conjunction with other agencies Lead/chair national networks relating to speciality Evidence of quality improvement delivery & evaluation Evidence of change/project management role Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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. 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