Infection Prevention Control ; Liaison Nurse

Job Title ;Infection Prevention Control Liaison Nurse

Department ; Nursing Administration Department

Reports to ;Head of Infection Prevention Control

Date ; 2024

The Infection Prevention Control Nurse will provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all that is done in Beacon Hospital. The post holder works as part of the multi-disciplinary team, establishing and maintaining good working relationships aimed at delivering a high standard of care. 

She/he is required to develop additional clinical skills pertinent to the speciality. They will be expected to coordinate the hospital wide infection prevention control programme to ensure effective measures are developed, implemented and maintained to identify, prevent and control infections acquired in the hospital or brought into the hospital from the community. Included is the development and implementation of programmes to identify, track and trend any organisation wide issues that could put patients, visitors, hospital and medical staff at risk.

The post holder is responsible for providing leadership and direction for all staff in relation to infection prevention and control initiatives. She/he is expected to participate in appropriate education and research requirements.

The post holder will work in collaboration with the various specialist and professional teams within the Hospital in relation to the infection prevention and control of infection.

Clinical:

 Provides consulting services for all hospital departments regarding infection prevention control issues. Assists in the identification, development of action plan, implementation and evaluation of infection prevention control measures in coordination with hospital departments.

 Have responsibility for the monitoring, surveillance, the investigation, prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAI).

 Investigates and discusses untoward infection prevention controls incidents/accidents involving patients, staff and /or equipment when appropriate.

 Investigate outbreaks of infection with particular reference to their source and mode of spread. Collate outbreak reports and present to relevant committees

 Advise on isolation procedures and support bed managers/nurse supervisors on decision making if requested.

 Provides ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the hospital infection prevention control programme. Prepares and presents an annual assessment of the infection prevention control programme when required. Designs, prepares and presents plans as appropriate.

 Maintains appropriate and accurate written records regarding patient care.

 Creates a supportive environment within the Infection Prevention Control Department that is sensitive to the issues and needs of the area by regularly consulting with the Head of Infection Prevention Control.

 Advise staff on issues relating to decontamination.

 Advises and participates in the procurement, commissioning, tendering and purchasing of patient care and medical equipment as pertaining to infection prevention and control and hospital wide tenders i.e., Housekeeping.

 Reviews new equipment purchased in Beacon Hospitals for compliance with decontamination methods.

Surveillance, Audit & Research:

 Develops and conducts ongoing health care surveillance throughout the organisation, identifying risk factors and trends. Works with departmental leadership on the correction of issues identified. Conducts epidemiological investigations as needed. Participates in environmental surveillance rounds.

 Monitors and critically evaluate infection prevention control practices and resources through audit and risk management. Audits include environmental audits and hand hygiene audits. Ensures written reports is disseminated to the appropriate departments and findings are closed out in a timely manner.

 Promotes a safe clinical environment with due regard to health and safety and risk management strategies.

Communication & Administrative:

 Communicates in an effective, clear manner with all hospital departments and members of the medical staff to identify and resolve potential and existing infection prevention control concerns.

 Prepares and reports quarterly to the infection prevention control committee, measurements, assessments and improvements based upon the statistical data obtained from infection prevention control activities.

 Maintains and updates organisation wide evidence-based policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (PPPGs) regarding infection prevention control. Coordinates the updating as needed, reviews and approves all department specific policies and procedures for content and appropriateness. Presents to the appropriate committee for approval.

 Advises on good infection prevention control requirements, evidenced based as appropriate, in newly built or refurbished departments within Beacon hospital in conjunction with the Head of Infection Prevention Control.

 Participate in teams/meetings/committees as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with the other team members.

 Ensures correct completion of records, reports, minutes, agendas, spreadsheets relevant to infection prevention control.

 The identification and development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are congruent with the Hospital's programme.

 The development of Action Plans to address KPI targets.

Education & Training:

 Maintains knowledge of current medical (includes CDC) regulatory and scientific procedures and literature related to infection prevention control.

 Meets regulatory and accreditation requirements, including but not limited to Joint Commission International (JCI) and Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

 Presents information on infection prevention, control and employee health issues in the hospital, nursing orientation and in departments.

 Develops and presents educational programmes to all hospital departments that provide direct patient care to increase awareness of the specific infection risks in their area.

 Plans, evaluates and revises the infection prevention control system as needed. Provides educational programmes to hospital staff regarding infection prevention control.

 Effectively develops an organisational culture conducive to the establishment and maintenance of good infection prevention control practices.

 Promotes a learning environment that both encourages and facilitates staff education in infection prevention control.

 Participates in educational event such as awareness days i.e., World Hand Hygiene Day, International Infection Prevention Week.

 Reads current literature and recent research in relation to infection prevention control

 Attends seminars/conferences and is aware of new developments in nursing management and infection prevention and control.

Leadership:

 Acts as an Infection Prevention Control role model and leader within the organisation.

 Represents the Infection Prevention Control team at local, national and international meetings as required.

 Be a change agent in implementing research findings so as to enhance infection control practice and ensure safe patient care.

 In the event the Head of Infection Prevention control is not on duty, the IPC Nurse will manage Infection prevention control and liaise with the Laboratory, Wards, Consultant Microbiologist and Senior Hospital Management as necessary.

 Liaise with Public Health and National Organisations such as the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), Health Service Executive (HSE) and AMRIC in organising and conducting microbiological and epidemiological surveys and studies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

 An Bord Altranais Registered General Nurse licence in good standing.

 Have a level 8 post-registration National Qualifications Authority of Ireland major academic award (or equivalent) relevant to the specialist area of Infection Prevention Control nursing or other clinically related qualification specific to the area of infection prevention control.

Or

 Must commit to an undertaking to complete the level 8 post registration National Qualifications Authority of Ireland major academic award relevant to the specialist area within a two-year timeframe from commencement of the post.

Experience

 5 years post registration experience.

 2 years clinical experience in infection prevention control preferred.

Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge

 Able to use own initiative.

 Ability to work as part of the multidisciplinary team.

 Effective communication skills.

 Workload management.

 Committed to service.

 Computer skills are essential.

Personal Competencies

 All posts in Beacon Hospital require a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service. Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager or hospital management.

This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review considering the changing needs of the Hospital.

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