JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Infection Control Officer
Professionally accountable to:
Director of Nursing
Key working relationships:
Nursing and Medical Personnel, Consultant
Microbiologist, Laboratory Manager and Staff,
Administration staff, Clinical Nurse Managers,
Occupational Health Nurse, Staff Nurses and All
hospital Staff.
Key reporting relationships:
Chief Executive, Lab Manager and Director of Nursing
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Role Summary
The post holder will provide support and specialist advice to all disciplines of staff, patients
and members of the public regarding the prevention and control of infection. S/he will help
to contain and reduce the incidence of infection across the hospital through risk assessment,
surveillance, audit, intervention, education and the development of specialised protocols,
policies and guidelines.
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Essential Criteria
The Candidate must be registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses
maintained by An Bord Altranais.
Have at least five years recent relevant post-registration nursing experience (fulltime or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital setting
Have a recognised post-registration nursing course - Higher Diploma or Post Grad
course in Infection Control or be in pursuit of same.
A Health Care Management qualification preferably at third level.
Competence in the use of information technology.
Possess well-developed leadership, interpersonal and organisational skills.
Have submitted a copy of Nursing Registration Certificate or Degree, and any
specialist qualification documentation to Director of Nursing or HR Department.
Submit every January, to the HR Department or to the Director of Nursing,
a copy of current Professional Registration (PIN).
Key Responsibilities
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Act as a role model through the provision of professional leadership and
demonstration of best practices in the area of infection prevention and control.
Act 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 imun-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 Hermitage Medical Clinic 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 HMC Mission Statement and uphold the Philosophy and Patient
Charter of the HMC.
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 it’s 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.
Essential Job Functions and Performance Standards
Surveillance/Audit:
 Implement an efficient infection control surveillance system to facilitate the prompt
identification of patients and staff with infection.
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Regularly evaluate control of infection measures by means of inspection, audit,
surveillance with a view to recommending improvements where required.
Collect relevant clinical data to assist the infection control team in epidemiology.
Perform regular audits of infection control policies and procedures with the cooperation 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 the
Education officer
Partake in accreditation processes and quality processes while adhering to National
and International best practice standars such as HIQA, ABA, HAS and JCI.
Management:
 Participate as a member of the HMC Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
 Participate in the selection of waste, laundry and hygiene subcontractors in the HMC
and participate in audit of same.
 Ensure that satisfactory structures are in place for the prevention and control of
infection – e.g advising the Engineering Department prior to any major building
repairs or maintenance. Advising clinical staff on any new pathogens as highlighted
by WHO or HPSC.
 Act as specialist resource in providing infection control knowledge and expertise to
hospital management, Occupational Health Nurse, nursing and all healthcare staff.
 Ensure that all infection control policies, guidelines and procedures are
research/evidence based and that they are updated as required.
 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.
 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.
 Participate in the formulation of policies, guidelines, standards and procedures for
infection control and prevention, with members of the Infection Prevention and
Control team and other relevant staff, including defining areas of special risk.
 Advise committees on procedures, materials and techniques to control and prevention
of infection.
 Participate 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
Education/professional development:
 Advise on, participate in and evaluate programmes of education to meet the infection
control needs of all healthcare staff.
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Demonstrate vision, innovation and flexibility in promoting research/evidence based
practice and in developing awareness/education programmes for staff.
Participate in relevant in-service education and study days for all healthcare staff.
Undertake continuing professional development, availing of formal and informal
educational opportunities thus ensuring continuing credibility amongst nursing,
medical and allied health professionals
Maintain 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.
Research:
 Ensure that all infection control policies, guidelines and procedures are research
evidence based.
 Act as a change agent in implementing research findings so as to enhance infection
control practice and ensure safe patient care.
 Participate in and conduct research to improve infection standards, practices, quality
and outcomes.
 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.
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Confidentiality
In the course of your employment you may have access to, or hear information concerning
the medical or personal affairs of patients, students, staff and / or other health service
business. Such records and information are strictly confidential and, unless acting on the
instruction of an authorised officer, such information must not be divulged or discussed
except in the performance of normal duty. In addition records must never be left in such a
manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody
when no longer required
Please note the following conditions:
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The Hospital Board is not responsible for loss or theft of personal belongings.
Fire orders must be observed and staff must attend fire lectures as per policy.
All incidents within the department must be reported immediately.
In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (1989/2004), smoking within the
Hospital building is not permitted.
e) All staff must avail of Pre Employment Occupational Health Screening, Hepatitis B
Vaccination and Occupational Health recommendations.
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f) The use of personal mobile phones are prohibited in clinical care areas.
This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position
and it is subject to regular review and amendment as necessary. You will be required to be
completely flexible in this position and you may also be required to work overtime on occasion
and are expected to facilitate when requested.
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