Job Title: Health Protection Nurse (IPC) (2 Posts ... - HSCRecruit

Job Title:Health Protection Nurse (IPC)(2 Posts – Post 1: Permanent, Full-time.Post 2: Permanent, Part-time 30 hours per week)Band:Location:Responsible to:7 (£30,460 - £40157 per annum)Public Health Agency - BelfastAssistant Director Public Health (HealthProtection)Professionally responsible to: Director Nursing, PHAReports to:Nurse Consultant (Health Protection)Job SummaryThe post holder will play a key role in the delivery of the Public Health Agency HealthProtection Service. S/he shall be expected to deliver across a range of HealthProtection activities including service planning, development and implementation ofpolicies, protocols, procedures and guidelines and acute response.The post holder shall work as part of a multidisciplinary team comprising ofConsultants in Health Protection /Surveillance and Consultant and Infection ControlNurse supported by the Health Protection Surveillance and information staff toensure the surveillance, prevention and control of communicable diseases inNorthern Ireland. S/he shall work collaboratively with the wider Public Health teamsand external key stakeholders to provide a specialist Health Protection Service,notably to provide infection prevention and control within the community. Theindividual will also provide lead nursing advice and guidance within the regionalHealth Protection Duty Room on a rota basis.

Service Delivery• Act as a core member of the acute health protectionresponse team, working independently and autonomously,when necessary, applying evidence based health protectionprotocols.• Provide specialist health protection advice and takeappropriate action regarding the care and treatment ofindividual patients or groups of patients in response toqueries from HPSS organisations Primary Care (includingGP's), the public and other health care professionals.• Provide specialist Health Protection advice and takenecessary actions regarding the care and treatment ofindividuals or specific patient groups within HPSSorganisations including Primary and Community Care.• Respond to requests for professional advice and supportreceived from HSC professionals or members of the publicon a range of Health Protection issues including infectioncontrol of communicable/ notifiable diseases (includingsexually transmitted infections /HIV and immunisation).• Assess and initiate an appropriate public health response tohealth protection issues received via acute Health ProtectionDuty Room.• Independently assess and direct the public health responseto single cases or community outbreaks or communicabledisease as appropriate, considering the implication of alloptions to ensure prevention of further spread of theinfection.• Oversee the processes for contact tracing, follow up andcontrol in the context of outbreaks and other healthprotection incidents.• Play a major role in the management and control of complex/major outbreaks of communicable disease led by consultantcolleagues.

• As part of the Health Protection Response team visit sites ofincidents I outbreaks of infectious diseases as required toprovide Health Protection advise to the public and testcontacts. (This may involve exposure to those infected with acommunicable disease yet undiagnosed).• Management of community communicable disease andinfection prevention and control issues at a clinical andorganisational level, e.g. advise to the home care staff on theclinical management of scabies cases, norovirus cases andadvise to the care home manager on the necessary actionsto be taken as an employer.• Provide advice on infection control in primary care and in themanagement of the more complex clinical scenarios.• Provide advice on infection prevention and control incommunity care settings.• Develop expertise in Novel infections e.g. SARS and toassist consultant colleagues in the development of carepathways and management of these infections.• Contribute to dealing with serious adverse incidents in HealthProtection, including dealing with health professionals,members of the public and the media.• Provide professional advice and leadership for nurses andother staff involved in immunisation in Primary Care, Trustsand other professional agencies, and play a leading role inthe planning and implementation of complex issues such asscheduling, delivering, producing professional guidance andmonitoring.• Provide support for responding to immunisation enquiriesfrom HPSS professionals, parents and others.• Develop and implement local operational policies andprocedures to ensure best practice in immunisation includingguidance on ordering, storage, transport and appointmentscheduling.

• Contribute to the organisation and administration of on sitechemoprophalylaxis and vaccination when required and theprovision of information and reassurance.Development and Innovation• Participate in the development and rev1smg of the AnnualHealth Protection business plan linking with corporateobjectives.• Participate in the commissioning and evaluation of HealthProtection training and education programmes as required.• Design and deliver education programmes on a range ofHealth Protection issues including outbreak I infectioncontrol, immunisation and STI's to health professionals andthe public as required.• Provide input in the development of e-learning /CD romeducation programmes as required.• Conduct research in the field of communicable diseasessurveillance, infection prevention and management.• Carry out and participate in audits designed to identify areasfor improvement I increased efficiency within the RegionalHealth Protection service provision.• Identify opportunities for clinical audit and research within thefield of Health Protection.• Maximise opportunities to apply new knowledge to his I herown practice.Quality and Standards• Contribute to the development and implementation ofevidence based Regional Health Protection policies.• Contribute to the development and monitoring of RegionalHealth Protection standards and key performance indicators.

• Ability to provide expert, accurate and timely advice incommunication around health protection issues and takesteps to ensure that any messages or advice given isaccurate, timely and appropriate to the recipient/s.• Communicate information which at times may be complex orsensitive to a range of professional including GP's, andothers.• At times the post holders will be required to communicateappropriately and effectively issues which may be eitherhighly sensitive or where barriers to effective communicationexist such as in the delivery of health protection messagesand advice to 'hard to reach' communities such as ethnicminorities or those covered by section 75 legislation.• Participate on committees and working parties, taking a leadrole as required, as designated by the PHA on a Regional/National basis and keep the PHA informed of relevantproceedings /outcomes of such.• Produce required reports to assist decision making or toexplain to others the rationale behind decisions.• Interpret laboratory data /information relevant to the servicearea; ensuring informed decision making.• Work within Data Protection legislation and policy andensure at all times that information related to patients isprotected appropriately and securely.• Overcome language barriers in order to communicate with,and advise people who speak little or no English yet areaffected (directly or indirectly) by an infectious disease.Research and Development• Contribute to the development of standards for the HealthProtection Service and an audit programme which willmonitor, evaluate and improve the quality and effectivenessof Health Protection practice within HSC.

• Lead or comm1ss1on appropriate audits, projects andresearch in support of Health Protection initiatives in behalfof the PHA /HSCB, taking responsibility for the findings,ensuring that they are appropriately disseminated andimplemented across relevant services.• Maintain an up to date knowledge base of relevant research,information and evidence and use them to inform the design,development and implementation of best practice to supportplanning, commissioning and the development of bestpractice.Financial and Resource Management• Work within budgetary constraints of the Health ProtectionService.Professional Responsibilities• Maintain an extensive and contemporary knowledge ofnursing practice, policies and guidelines in relation to healthprotection by participating in on-going education andresearch and continuing self-development including regularappraisal.• Adhere to the NMC codes of professional conduct andcontribute to investigations /inquiries as required.• Pursue a programme of continuing professional developmentas outlined by the NMC and participate in clinicalsupervision, audit and other measures required to remain onthe NMC register.• Provide expert professional nursing input into all training andprofessional development programmes for staff from thestatutory, community, public and voluntary sectors in healthand social wellbeing.• Maintain clinical skills in order to be able to provide testingfor TB, administration of intredermal BCG vaccination andother administration of other vaccines and drugs as required.

People Management and Development• Promote the corporate values and culture of the organisationdevelopment and implementation of relevant policies andprocedures and appropriate personal behaviour.• Contribute as an effective member of PHA Health protectionTeam.• Take responsibility for his/her own performance and takeaction to address identified personal development areas.• Where appropriate, review the organisational plan andestablishment levels and ensure that each is consistent withachieving objectives and recommend change whereappropriate.General ResponsibilitiesEmployees of the PHA will be required to promote and support themission and vision of the service for which they are responsibleand:• at all times provide a caring service and to treat those withwhom they come into contact in a courteous and respectfulmanner;• demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance andthe efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them;• comply with the PHA's No Smoking Policy;• carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance withhealth and safety policy and statutory regulations;• adhere to equal opportunities policy throughout the course oftheir employment;• ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in serviceprovision;• comply with the HPSS code of conduct.

To assist the Public Health Agency in fulfilment of its statutoryduty under Section 75 of the Nl Act 1998, to promote equality ofopportunity and good relations, and also the Human Rights Act1998 and the Disability Discrimination Order 2007.To support the Public Health Agency in meeting its obligationsunder Risk Management by adhering to the controls assurancestandards identified in the Risk Register.All duties must be carried out in compliance with Health and SafetyPolicy and statutory regulations.Records ManagementThe postholder is responsible for all records held, created or usedas part of their business including patient/client, corporate andadministrative records whether paper-based or electronic and alsoincluding emails. All such records are public records and areaccessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under theFreedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment InformationRegulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998. Employeesare required to be conversant with the organisation's policy andprocedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.This job description is subject to review in the light of changingcircumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible butshould be regarded as providing guidelines within which the postholder works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate tothe grade may be assigned from time to time by the AssistantDirector of Health protection.The Public Health Agency operates a "No Smoking" Policy and allemployees MUST comply with this.We are an Equal Opportunities EmployerJan 2013

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATIONJob Title:Health Protection Nurse (IPC)(2 Posts – Post 1: Permanent, Full-time.Post 2: Permanent, Part-time 30 hours perweek)Band:Location:7 (£30,460 - £40157 per annum)Public Health Agency - BelfastApplicants must clearly demonstrate in the application form evidence ofthe qualifications and experience noted below. Only informationcontained in the application form will be considered at the shortlistingstage.Essential CriteriaKnowledge, skills and experience requiredApplicants must provide evidence by the closing date for application that theyare:1. Registered on NMC "live" Register2. a) Degree in Health I Management related degreeORb) 2 years experience in a managerial role, which includes managingstaff and other resources or 2 years experience in a clinical lead role,this includes leading a team or service3. At least 3 years experience within the last 5 years, two of which shouldhave been spent in the area of Health Protection.4. Evidence of further study relevant to Health Protection asdemonstrated through completion go short course, personal study orother CPO activities.5. Be prepared to undertake specialist qualification (e.g. relevant modulesof Masters in Public Health) relating to health protection (subject to

esources availability).6. Have a sound knowledge and understanding of the current issues thatface health protection including future challenges and opportunities.

7. Have knowledge and experience of infection prevention and controlwithin primary or community care setting.8. Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team.9. Experience of facilitating change within a multidisciplinary setting.10. Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills to meetthe needs of the post.11. Hold a current driving license (valid in the UK) and have access to acar at the closing date or have *access to a form of transport which willpermit the applicant to meet the post requirements in full.(*This relates only to any person who has declared that they have a disability,which debars them from driving)Health Protection covers a wide range of service areas including riskmanagement and emergency planning, infection control, genitor urinaryclinics, infectious disease, microbiology, community nursing, occupationalhealth.SHORTLISTINGA shortlist of candidates for interview will be prepared on the basis of theinformation contained in the application form. It is therefore essential that allapplicants demonstrate through their application how and to what extent theirexperience and qualities are relevant to this post and the extent to which theysatisfy each criterion specified.In addition to shortlisting, applicants should be aware that there may be apreliminary stage to the selection process and further details will be providedat the appropriate time if this is to be the case.Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will need to be able to demonstrate atinterview that they have the required competencies to be effective in thisdemanding leadership role. The competencies concerned are given in the NHSLeadership Framework at http://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/develop-yourleadership-skills/leadership-framework/the-framework-overviewand are likely toinclude the following:Demonstrating Personal QualitiesWorking with OthersManaging ServicesSetting DirectionApplicants please note the following:-Whilst elements of the essential criteria of the PersonnelSpecification will form the basis for shortlisting, these may becomemore stringent by tightening of the current criteria.

The appointment is subject to proof of the attainment of anyqualifications deemed essential to the post and used as a basis forshortlisting. Failure to provide evidence of the requiredqualifications prior to taking up the post will result in the offer ofemployment being withdrawn.All appointments may be subject to assessment by theOccupational Health Service.WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

TERMS AND CONDITIONS• The NHS terms and conditions (Agenda for Change) will apply to this post.• Band 7 (£30,460 - £40,157)• In addition to 10 public holidays, the annual leave allowance will be asfollows:-• On appointment- 27 days• After 5 years service - 29 days• After 10 years service - 33 days• He/she may be required to travel throughout Northern Ireland, the UnitedKingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and elsewhere. The successfulcandidate should therefore have access to a form of transport that willpermit them to meet the requirements of the post in full and be prepared totravel as required.