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.
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.
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.
For further information about the main responsibilities please view the attached job description and person specification.
