Band 7 Infection Prevention and Control Specialist Nurse
Please note that this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Job overview
The Band 7 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nurse is a key specialist role within the Trust’s governance, quality, and patient safety framework. The post holder works as an autonomous practitioner within the IPC Team, providing expert advice and support across BSMHFT to ensure compliance with national standards, including the Health and Social Care Act (2008) and CQC requirements.
The role is essential in the prevention, surveillance, and management of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and outbreaks. This includes undertaking risk assessments, supporting incident investigations, analysing data, and providing assurance on IPC performance.
The post holder also leads on the development and implementation of IPC policies, audit programmes, and improvement initiatives, working across inpatient, community, and corporate services to influence practice and drive compliance. A key aspect of the role is delivering education and training, promoting a positive IPC culture, and supporting staff to embed best practice.
The Band 7 IPC Nurse contributes to operational resilience within the team and deputises for the Lead IPC Nurse and the Deputy IPC Lead Nurse when required, ensuring continuity of leadership and specialist support.
This role is critical to maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting patients, staff, and the wider community, and is fundamental to the delivery of safe, high-quality care across the Trust.
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The Infection Control Nurse is based within the Infection Prevention and Control Team at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Northcroft site.
The post holder works as part of the IPC Team alongside the Lead IPC Nurse and the other well-established members of the IPC team, with overall responsibility held by the Director of Nursing in their role as Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC).
In conjunction with the Lead IPC Nurse, the post holder contributes to the coordination and ongoing development of a high-quality, effective infection prevention and control service.
The role involves working autonomously within the IPC Team to support the prevention, surveillance, investigation, and control of infection across the Trust.
The post holder participates in the delivery of education and training programmes for clinical and non-clinical staff to promote best practice and improve compliance.
The role requires flexibility to ensure a responsive and comprehensive IPC service, including deputising for the Lead IPC Nurse and Deputy IPC Lead Nurse where required.
Working for our organisation
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
Our Trust is committed to treating individuals fairly and ensuring they have the same opportunities to fulfil their potential, even if this means doing things differently for different people sometimes. We are working hard to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity within Birmingham and Solihull and that our services meet the needs of all diverse service users and carers.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of our safe recruitment practice pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. As part of the selection process you may be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, however all cases of criminal record history are dealt with on a case by case basis.
Please note, if applicable for your role you will be required to cover the cost of your DBS certificate. This will be deducted from your salary over 3 months. You will also be required to sign up to the DBS Update Service before commencement with the Trust. The Trust will reimburse this. You will be contractually obliged to maintain your subscription.
All successful applicants will be required to complete the Trust’s induction programme. The Fundamental (Statutory and Mandatory) training will be in an e-learning format. You will be required to complete training modules online (approx. 9-14 hours depending on post) by the end of your second week with us.
If you are successful at the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process we may contact you via email to advise you of the interview details. Please ensure you access your email account from which you applied regularly once the position has closed. Our selection process may involve more than one interview or assessment.
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, please ensure that you check if this role meets the eligibility criteria for sponsorship. Non UK /Republic of Ireland candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Browse: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The minimum salary threshold for a Health and Social Care is £25,000 and for the Skilled Worker route is £38,700. If the starting salary for this role is below this, we will not be able to provide sponsorship.
Overseas applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Relocation expenses may be reimbursed subject to eligibility. The policy provides for reimbursement up to £8,000.
Please note - if you are applying for a role within Police custody, due to Police Vetting requirements you must have been a UK resident for the last years.