Salary: Band 6 AfC (WTE £44,283 - £52,521 per annum inclusive of Outer London Weighting)
Place of work: St Raphael’s Hospice
Are you a registered healthcare professional with a proven track record in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) within a palliative care setting? We are seeking a dedicated IPC Specialist to join our hospice team. This opportunity offers 15 hrs per week, providing IPC expertise and advice within the context of palliative care. You will have a strong ability to analyse risk, lead audits and develop action plans as well as being a skilled communicator. You will be responsible for maintaining our excellent IPC standards, promoting the safety of our patients, and ensuring our staff feel confident with IPC compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in surveillance of hospital/hospice acquired infection.
- Provide advice in relation to the purchase, decontamination and/or condemning of equipment.
- Develop measures to reduce the incidence of infection.
- Act as a resource on infection control for staff throughout the Hospice, both clinical and non-clinical.
- Demonstrate a sounds knowledge of CQC requirements with regard to IPC.
- Provide education and training across the Hospice and develop identified clinical staff as IPC resources for in-house support.
- To have responsibility over ensuring all staff are FFP3 FIT tested as required.
- Investigate infection control issues and advise on follow-up care for persons exposed to infection.
- Outbreak management – identify outbreak, advise staff/patients regarding isolation, monitor and report to appropriate outside agencies.
- Instruct the multi-professional team in standard and specific infection control procedures.
- Maintain links with Acute Trusts (St George’s Hospital; St Helier Hospital) Infection Control Departments and our appointed Occupational Health Service to ensure that all necessary infection control measures are implemented.
- Ensure that the infection control annual audit is serviced and that results are disseminated as appropriate.
- Produce an annual report and annual infection control plan.
- Ensure that agreed audits are undertaken on a regular basis and policies are regularly reviewed.
- Report back to Clinical Heads of Department and other meetings, as appropriate, on results of all audits.
- Meet regularly with the Inpatient Unit Clinical Lead /Senior Nurses and liaise with Housekeeping/Facilities to update on infection control measures and possible risks to staff and patients.
- Liaise with infection control staff in other hospices to share best practice.
- Coordinate and chair quarterly infection control and prevention group meetings and attend other relevant meetings such as Health and Safety, HODS as required, ensuring contemporary information is shared appropriately.
- Recognise own learning and professional development needs.
- To undertake any other such duties or general tasks and hours of work as may reasonably be required and to work in other locations within the hospice organisation.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Hold a relevant healthcare qualification such as RN Level 1 or equivalent.
- Hold an Infection Prevention and Control qualification and be able to demonstrate a robust IPC track record.
- Hold a palliative care qualification i.e. ECEPC or similar (or be willing to undertake).
- Lead by example, exemplifying the Hospices’ values and behaviours.
- Willing to undertake further training as required.
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Excellent communication skills – written and verbal.
- Computer literate.
- Ability to inspire and lead others in achieving a high standard of infection control.
- Teaching and presentation skills.
- Contemporary knowledge of evidence-based practice.
- Awareness of current issues and relevant practice guidelines in End of Life Care.
- Sound knowledge of Clinical Audit and Clinical Governance processes.
- Commitment to Continued Professional Development.
Desirable:
- Experience of undertaking research.
- Graduate or post graduate qualification in Infection Prevention and Control.
Closing date: 24th August 2025
Job Type: Part-time
Expected hours: 15 per week
Benefits:
- Free parking
Application question(s):
- Do you hold a relevant healthcare qualification such as RN Level 1 or equivalent?
- Do you hold an Infection Prevention and Control qualification?
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 24/08/2025
