Clinical Nurse Specialist - Infection Control - UPMC WhitfieldLocation: UPMC Whitfield HospitalJob type: PermanentOverview of role: The role is responsible for the provision of quality service in line with National and International Infection prevention Control standards. As a key member of the frontline team, the CNS IPC will provide support and specialist advice to all disciplines of staff, patients, and members of the public regarding the prevention and control of infections.
This role will help to ensure patient safety in containing and reducing the incidence of transmissible infections and healthcare associated infections. The CNS IPC will use his/her expert knowledge to ensure a thorough risk assessment of processes is completed throughout the hospital, using all available surveillance and audit data and put in place risk reducing measures such as education and specialised protocols, policies and guidelines.
The position requires a strategic approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the management of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities: Operations: Act as
a role model through the provision of professional leadership and
demonstration of best practices in the area of infection prevention and
controlAct as
a resource in providing specialist knowledge, consultancy and expertise in
collaboration with Hospital Management, Occupational Health Nurse, nursing
and all healthcare staff.Advise
on the nursing care of individual patients with infectious conditions or
when at risk of acquiring infection i.e. the immuno-compromised patient
etc.Advise
hospital management, bed management, medical and nursing personnel
regarding the need for isolation facilities or transfer of patients to
infectious disease/isolation units.Advise
nursing and other healthcare staff on isolation techniques and supervise
the introduction and progress of such techniques in specific situations.Maintain
effective communication structures and interpersonal relations, which
ensure that infection control information is conveyed quickly and
effectively to relevant targeted staff.Provide
education and advice to patients, relatives/carers on specific infection
risks and treatments.Act as
an advocate for the patients, and/or staff on issues in the prevention and
control of infection.Assist
and investigate outbreaks of hospital infection with particular reference
to their source and mode of spread and compile and report on root cause
analysis.Advise
and support ward/department managers and staff in the implementation of
infection control policies and guidelines and clinical practices. Adhere
to the hospital guidelines policies, procedures and guidelines.Maintain
a safe working environment as set out in the Health and Safety at Work
Act.Respect
confidential information obtained in the course of professional practice.Be
familiar with the UPMC Mission Statement and uphold the Philosophy and
Patient Charter of UPMC.Ensure
an effective learning environment for the multidisciplinary team.Work
within the code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, participation in the
development of the Scope of Practice and provide strong professional
leadership and direction for Infection Control nursing services.Promote
the advancement of professional knowledge and ensure its integration into
practice.Ensure
that nursing care is based on the latest research findings and constitute
best practice and act as an expert clinical resource for all nursing and
medical personnel in the field of Infection Prevention and Control.Encourage
continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing
practices through regular audit programmes and review and uphold hospital
policy. Ensure
that all records are properly and accurately maintained and disseminated
to the appropriate staff.Implement
an efficient infection control surveillance system to facilitate the
prompt identification of patients and staff with infection.Regularly
evaluate control of infection measures by means of inspection, audit,
surveillance with a view to recommending improvements where required.Perform
regular audits of infection control policies and procedures with the
co-operation of departmental managers.Provide
feedback by giving verbal and written reports to departmental and
organisational managers.Collate,
record and analyse relevant data and information for infection audits,
linking into the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) frequently
for updates on all infection related data, such as potential forthcoming
outbreaks.Conduct
nursing research relevant to infection control issues with support from
practice developmentPartake
in accreditation processes and quality processes while adhering to
National and International best practice standards such as HIQA, ABA, HAS
and JCI.Participate
as a member of Infection Prevention and Control Committee.Participate
in the selection of waste, laundry and hygiene subcontractors in UPMC
Whitfield and participate in audit of same.Advise
and highlight to clinical staff on any new pathogens as highlighted by WHO
or HPSC.Make
recommendations for change and improvements in infection control practice.Plan,
negotiate with and support staff to implement and make clinical practice
changes as appropriate.Advise
senior hospital management and the multi-disciplinary team on recent
advances in infection control and prevention when and where appropriate.Learning
and Education: Advise
and participate in the commission, tendering and purchasing of patient
care and medical equipment as pertaining to infection prevention and
control.Provide
infection prevention and control advice to committees established to
oversee capital projects, building renovations and refurbishments within
the hospital.Work
closely with facilities colleagues when planning all renovations/
refurbishments and maintenanceParticipate
in the development of the Infection Prevention and Control service.Produce
reports/plans for infection prevention and control as required.Liaise
with the Department of Public Health, HPSC and other organisations in
matters concerning infection prevention and control.Act as
a change agent in implementing research findings so as to enhance
infection control practice and ensure safe patient care.Liaise
with the staff of the Microbiology Department in organising and conducting
microbiological and epidemiological surveillance.Together
with Hospital Management be involved in identifying opportunities for the
development of services that will improve the care of patients.Promote
a patient centred culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and
constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and
choice is maintained in their care. Undertake
continuing professional development, availing of formal and informal
educational opportunities thus ensuring continuing credibility amongst
nursing, medical and allied health professionalsMaintain
an awareness of current developments and research in infection control and
nursing practice by reading relevant literature and attending seminars and
conferences.Maintain
and update a personal development portfolio.Keep
up to date with Health & Safety requirements, fire regulations and
Radiation Safety and Protection ensuring that such lectures are attended
and that you are familiar with the policies on Moving and Handling,
Infection Control, Waste Disposal, Risk Management, Major incident and
Cardiac Arrest procedures.Be
aware of legislation governing or affecting the Nursing Profession,
including HPSC, the Nurses’ Act (1985) and Nurses and Midwives Bill
(2010), Health & Safety Legislation or any other relevant legislation
or guidelines and trigger alerts as required.Quality
Improvement & Risk Management: Ensure
that there is compliance with all relevant hospital guidelines, policies,
procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. This
includes responsibility for dealing with regulatory or professional bodies
and inspections.Encourage
continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing
practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the
multi-disciplinary team where required.Promote
a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department
involving the team in continuous improvement initiatives and encouraging
innovation. Set
and monitor core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for
the service and monitor performance against these standards through
internal and (where applicable) external audit.Lead
out on the requirements of the hospitals accreditation process for IPC.Participate
fully in the requirement of the hospital’s risk management programme.Promote
the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients. Encourage
evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation
of research findings.Work
with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating
Procedures for the development of the Unit.Provide
clinical nursing leadership in proactively addressing ethical and quality
of service issues with multidisciplinary team members and hospital
management.Develop
a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near
misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses
involving patients and staff according to hospital policies, protocols and
guidelines.Qualifications & Experience:Be
registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by
NMBIHave
at least five years recent relevant post-registration nursing experience
(full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital setting
with at least two years working in Infection prevention controlHave a
recognised post-registration nursing course - Higher Diploma or Post Grad
course in Infection Control or be in pursuit of same.Possess the
following skills:· Clinical
Skills· Management
skills· Leadership
skills· Negotiating
Skills· IT
skills· Quality
focus· Risk
Management· Clinical
audit· Excellent
interpersonal and communication skills· Presentation
skills· Change
management skillsEqual
Opportunity Statement and Benefits UPMC is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment
for all employees.At UPMC we provide a total rewards program
that is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunities
for all our colleagues.Compensation – Competitive pay for the work employees do – base pay, performance related pay
and premium pay where applicable.Benefits –
Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension
Plan, company funded Death in Service Benefit x 3 times. Critical Illness cover
for all employees up to the age of 66.Performance and Recognition – Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of
UPMC through our annual ACES programme.Work-Life Balance – Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible
working opportunities to support you to work around external family
commitments.Development
and Career Opportunities – Opportunities for each employee to reach
their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.About
UPMC A $26 billion healthcare provider and insurer, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based UPMC is inventing new models of patient-centred, cost-effective, accountable care. Working in close collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shares its clinical, managerial and technological skills worldwide through its innovation and commercialisation arm, UPMC Enterprises, and through UPMC International.Providing high-quality healthcare in the South East since 2006, UPMC’s operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy locations at UPMC Whitfield and in Cork, the UPMC Sports Medicine Clinic at SETU Arena, Waterford, TUS Moylish Campus, Limerick, TUS Thurles Campus, Tipperary, and the UPMC Concussion Network. The UPMC Institute for Health is located in Mayo and the Global Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny. UPMC is the Official Healthcare Partner of the GAA and GPA.