Infection Prevention and Control Specialist Nurse/Practitioner

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.

We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.

We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate. Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.

We received our Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we provided its statement of intent to support all Defence personnel and we welcome application to work for us.

Our Future Plans

The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded capital funding to invest in local health services at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. This is a significant investment and an opportunity to enhance services for our populations in Calderdale and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for generations to come. To find out more, please visit https://future.cht.nhs.uk/

Job overview

• To work as a specialist nurse/practitioner within the Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT). The post holder will contribute to a seamless Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) service, working as part of a multidisciplinary team and providing an advisory, investigative and educational role within the Trust, as well as having responsibility for surveillance, audit, control and prevention of disease
• In conjunction with the other members of the team have responsibility for the day-to-day management and continuing development of the IPC service, including the development of policies, guidelines and projects in order to develop and maintain an effective IPC service
• The post holder will be required to work Monday to Friday, work flexibly between the 2 hospital sites and community bases and take part in the IPC 24 hour on call weekend rota
• Provide specialist knowledge, education and advice, to promote health, prevent and control infections for patients, relatives, healthcare workers, Private Finance Initiative (PFI) partners and visitors to the healthcare environment.

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This role supports all staff across the organisation by providing expert infection prevention and control (IPC) advice, promoting best practice, and acting as a visible role model.

Working alongside the Infection Prevention and Control Team, it involves managing and developing IPC services, monitoring and assessing infection risks, coordinating audits and surveillance programmes, and supporting outbreak investigations.

The post holder contributes to patient safety through incident reviews, investigation of hazardous practices, and the development of IPC policies and standards.

The role also supports service improvement and delivers a wide range of education and training programmes, including mandatory training, workshops, ANTT education, and support for the Link Infection Prevention and Control network.

Working for our organisation

CHFT is an integrated acute and community Trust serving diverse communities across Calderdale and Kirklees, with strong partnerships across West Yorkshire. We are proud of our One Culture of Care — caring for each other with the same compassion, kindness and respect that we show our patients — and of the values that underpin how we work: we put people first, we go see, we work together to get results, and we do the must dos.

CHFT is recognised as a forward looking, digitally enabled Trust, with a strong track record of using data, innovation and system collaboration to improve quality, safety and outcomes. We are ambitious about the role that acute trusts play in prevention, population health and reducing inequalities, and this post sits at the heart of that agenda.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Professional Duties

• Maintain professional registration
• Maintain clear, accurate and up to date records relevant to your practice and in line with professional standards and Trust policy.
• Ensure effective team working and communication with all colleagues
• Share information to identify and reduce risk
• Support students’ and colleagues’ learning to help them develop their professional competence and confidence
• Support and participate in relevant IPC international, national, regional and local epidemiological research and surveillance of health care associated infections.
• Liaise, as appropriate, with UK Health and Safety Agency (UKHSA), the Strategic Health Authority (SHA), Environmental Health Services, Local ICBs and PFI partners.
• As applicable act as expert adviser to Estates, PFI partners, Purchasing Advising Group and other groups/parties as appropriate
• Support/advise the Occupational Health Department on issues relating to IPC.

Managerial Duties

• To supervise and mentor students whilst they are on placement with the team

Managing Self

• Participate in regular supervision
• Attend all mandatory training.
• Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols
• Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy
• Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary
• Always maintain professional conduct and appearance.

Our vision is to provide One Culture of Care for one another in order that we can provide compassionate care for the people who use our services. We are passionate about creating a workplace where we work together to get results, encouraging colleagues to have their say, in order to co create the change we want to see. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce that’s why we encourage applications from all. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants.

We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.

Please ensure your application is submitted with referees who can verify your employment/education history over the last three years and include valid email addresses for them. We will request electronic Factual Employment References from your previous employers. These references will be requested before you are issued with an unconditional offer of employment letter.

Candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the United Kingdom can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this position by assessing their circumstances against the criteria specified on the Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK website. We encourage all applicants to review these criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship.

If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system. The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

You may be required to undertake a DBS. The Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £54.40, Standard £26.40 or Basic £26.40) from your salary when you commence in post (including Internal staff). You will also be required to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £16 cost per year. This is a condition of your employment.

CHFT is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

If you have any questions please contact [email protected] for assistance.