Clinical Nurse Specialist, Infection Prevention and Control

Position Summary:
Accountable to: Through the assistant director of nursing for infection prevention and control (ADON IPC) to the director of nursing working in close collaboration with the consultant clinical microbiologists.

The clinical nurse manager 2 (CNM2) Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) is responsible in collaboration with the CNM3 ADON IPC or deputy and the consultant clinical microbiologists for the prevention surveillance investigation and control of infection throughout the Hospital.

While being accountable to the CNM3 and ADON IPC the post holder will work in close collaboration with the consultant clinical microbiologist other hospital managers and department heads to ensure quality infection prevention & control service is maintained. The post holder will be involved in education and quality control as well as data collection analysis audits and formulation of reports.
As a member of the IPC team the post holder will participate in the surveillance education audits implementation and monitoring of infection control standards throughout the hospital.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Clinical focus

1.1. Have responsibility for the monitoring surveillance the investigation prevention and control of hospital- acquired infections.

1.2. Investigate outbreaks of infection with particular reference to their source and mode of spread. Collate outbreak reports and present to relevant committees (e.g. outbreak control team and infection prevention and control committee).

1.3. Advise on isolation procedures and support managers in supervising the implementation of such techniques in specific situations.

1.4. Evaluate regularly prevention/control of infection measures in specific situations with a view to advising on continuous improvement.

1.5. Advise relevant staff of individual patients with infectious conditions.

1.6. Explain laboratory reports relevant to the prevention/control of infection to staff.

1.7. Collect relevant clinical and epidemiological data to assist the infection control team.

1.8. Act as specialist advisor to all staff where relevant in matters relating to infection prevention/control.

1.9. Advise medical/nursing personnel regarding patient placement to minimise the spread of infection and the implementation of agreed guidelines in their specific areas.

1.10. Participate in infection prevention/control and hygiene audits and complete reports against agreed guidelines.

1.11. Provide feedback and support staff in developing and implementation of actions plans where necessary.

1.12. Provide a high level of professional and clinical leadership.

1.13. Provide safe comprehensive nursing care to patient within the guidelines laid down by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

1.14. Manage own caseload in accordance with the needs of the post.

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

1.16. Maintain nursing records in accordance with local service and professional standards.

1.17. Operate within the scope of practice. Seek advice and assistance from his/her line manager on any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his/her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.

1.18. Take a proactive role in the formation and provision of evidence based policies procedures protocols and guidelines (PPPGs) relating to infection prevention and control.

1.19. Take a proactive role in ensuring the service for patients regarding infection prevention/control is in line with HIQA Standards.

1.20. Advise staff on issues relating to decontamination.

2. Education & Training

2.1. Maintain clinical competence and engage in continuing professional development by keeping up to date with literature research and new developments in nursing management education and practice and attend staff study days as considered appropriate.

2.2. Liaise with the staff of the microbiology department in organising and conducting microbiological and epidemiological surveys and participating in research relevant to infection control.

2.3. Participate in the education and training programmes and exchange of learning opportunities on infection prevention/control for all grades of staff.

2.4. Advise staff on issues relating to decontamination.

2.5. Organise studies of new techniques and equipment and collating the critical comments of the staff who have been asked to participate in trials of this nature.

2.6. Be familiar with the curriculum training programme for student nurses and be aware of the clinical experience required to meet the needs of the programme.

2.7. Participate in the identification development and delivery of induction education training and development programmes for all staff.

2.8. Provide education and training to front-line staff where appropriate and in conjunction with managers.

2.9. Engage in performance review processes including personal development planning as appropriate.

2.10. Develop and maintain links with national and regional Infection prevention and control networks to support the design development and delivery of education programmes and PPPGs.

2.11. Undertake infection prevention and control risk assessments of clinical areas and assist in the development of a quality improvement plans to address deficits.

3. Audit and Research

3.1. Conduct on-going surveillance using appropriate definitions documentation and investigation of hospital- associated infections (HCAIs) through review of admission diagnoses microbiology culture results isolation orders patient records consultation requests and post-discharge surveillance.

3.2. Regularly collate and record relevant data and information/compile and interpret surveillance reports for infection prevention and control team and committee.

3.3. Participate in quality improvement activities by assessing monitoring and measuring HCAI rates evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis.

3.4. Identify critically analyse disseminate and integrate best evidence relating to infection control to ensure the provision of informed evidence based practice.

3.5. Contribute to the implementation and assessment of quality management initiatives/programmes in line with HIQA standards and HCAI and the HSEs AMR Clinical Programme.

3.6. Identify initiate and conduct nursing and MDT audit and research projects relevant to IC practice and use outcomes to improve service provision.

4. Communication

4.1. Evaluate information problem solve and make appropriate decisions based on evidence relating to infection prevention and control.

4.2. Engage in skilled compassionate individualised and timely communication with patients families carers and members of the multidisciplinary team.

4.3. Deliver information in a clear and concise manner to staff committees external groups (e.g. public health).

4.4. Write reports for the infection prevention and control team and committee and other groups as appropiate.

5. Leadership

5.1. Provide leadership in clinical practice and act as a resource and role model for infection prevention/control practice.

5.2. Provide staff leadership and motivation which is conducive to good working relations and work performance.

5.3. Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.

5.4. Formulate implement and evaluate service plans and budgets in co-operation with the wider healthcare team.

5.5. Participate in the writing of reports on infectious diseases including outbreaks.

5.6. Promote facilitate and participate in the formation/development and implementation of policies for the infection prevention/control with the other members of the infection prevention/control team and with senior nursing staff. Monitor as appropriate and lead on proactive improvement.

This will include:-

(i) Defining areas of special risk

(ii) Infection control policies and procedures

5.7. Serve on committees within the hospital as appropriate

5.8. Attend regional meetings as required/professional meetings and conferences in matters relation to infection prevention/control

5.9. Liaise with other heath service providers in the development and on-going delivery of the national clinical programme model of care.

5.10. Advise on recent advances in infection prevention/control

5.11. Lead and implement change in relation to infection prevention and control practice

5.12. Ensure compliance with legal requirements policies and procedures affecting patients staff and other hospital matters.

6. Administrative:

6.1. Ensures correct completion of records and reports relevant to infection prevention & control.

6.2. Attends multi-disciplinary meetings as required.

6.3. Participates as a member of various committees and advises them in relation to infection prevention and control

7. Self Development:

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

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

7.3. Participates in training programmes in information systems in order to facilitate development of information technology and computerisation.

Selection Criteria:
Selection criteria outline the qualifications skills knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

1. Statutory Registration Professional Qualifications Experience etc
(a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:
(i) Be a registered nurse/midwife on the active Register of Nurses and Midwives
held by An Bord Altranais and Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible to be so registered.

(ii) Be registered in the division(s) of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
(Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) Register for which the
application is being made or be entitled to be so registered.

(iii) In exceptional circumstances which will be assessed on a case by case basis
be registered in another Division of the register of Nurses and Midwives.

(iv) Have a minimum of 1 years post registration full time experience or an
aggregate of 1 years full time experience in the division of the register in which
the application is being made (taking into account (ii) (iii) if relevant)

(v) Have a minimum of 1 years experience or an aggregate of 1 years full time
experience in specialist area of Infection Prevention and Control care.

(vi) Have successfully completed a post registration programme of study as
certified by the education provider which verifies that the applicant has achieved
a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) National Framework of Qualifications
(NFQ) major academic Level 9 or higher award that is relevant to the specialist
area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) and in line with the requirements
for specialist practice as set out by the National Council for Nursing and
Midwifery 4th ed (2008).

Alternatively provide written evidence from the Higher Education Institute that
they have achieved the number of ECTS credits equivalent to a Level 9 or higher
standard relevant to the specialist area of care (equivalent to 60 ECTS or
above) and in line with the requirements for specialist practice as set out by the
National Council for Nursing and Midwifery 4th ed (2008). Endocrine of
care prior to application* (See **Note 1 below).

(vii) Be required to demonstrate that they have continuing professional development
(CPD) relevant to the specialist area.

(viii) Have the ability to practice safely and effectively fulfilling his/her professional
responsibility within his/her scope of practice

**Note 1: For Nurses/Midwives who express an interest in CNS/CMS roles and who
currently hold a level 8 educational qualification in the specialist area
(equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) this qualification will be recognised up to
September 2026.

(b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability including a high standard of
suitability and clinical leadership managerial and administrative capacity for the proper
discharge of the duties of the office.

2. Annual registration
(i) Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the appropriate/relevant Division
of the register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board
of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) for the role.

(ii) Practitioners must confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the
annual Service user Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Health
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of
undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a
reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Character
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Desirable

A minimum of 2 years post registration experience

A post graduate qualification in infection prevention control nursing OR be in the process of undertaking same.
Competent and confident IT skills (Word Excel Power Point and e-mail) are desirable
A management course is desirable.

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/ Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointees re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions where relevant will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/ Office/ Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position