Infection Prevention&Control Lead (CNS-IPC), Mullingar

Charter Medical Private Hospital (CMPH) is a 77-bed surgical hospital located on the outskirts of Mullingar with four operating theatres and an endoscopy unit. We provide a wide range of surgical care across multiple specialties and offer 24/7 Stepdown, Minor Injuries, and Rapid Access services in collaboration with the HSE.

We are currently recruiting for an Infection Prevention&Control Lead (IPC) to join our team. Role Summary Charter Medical Private Hospital (CMPH) is a 77-bed surgical hospital located on the outskirts of Mullingar with four operating theatres and an endoscopy unit. We provide a wide range of surgical care across multiple specialties and offer 24/7 Stepdown, Minor Injuries, and Rapid Access services in collaboration with the HSE.

The Infection Prevention&Control (IPC) Lead plays a pivotal role in the development, implementation, and maintenance of a comprehensive IPC service within Charter Medical Private Hospital (CMPH).

As part of the IPC Team, the post holder will provide specialist clinical expertise, leadership, education, and consultancy in IPC, supporting all healthcare staff to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). The role contributes to patient safety, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and the promotion of evidence-based practice in line with national standards.

The post is aligned with the Framework for the Establishment of Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialist Posts (NCNM, 4th Edition, 2008) and encompasses the five core concepts of: Clinical Focus, Patient/Client Advocacy, Education&Training, Audit&Research, Consultancy.

Working closely with the Director of IPC, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), Medical and Nursing Staff, Occupational Health, Health&Safety, Facilities, and other key internal and external stakeholders. Key working relationships will evolve as services expand.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Focus– Direct Care

Act as an expert clinical resource for IPC-related issues across the hospital

Provide professional leadership and act as a role model for best practice in IPC

Advise on the care and management of patients with communicable diseases

Support and supervise the implementation of isolation and transmission-based precautions

Advise on patient transfers to isolation facilities in consultation with medical and nursing teams

Support staff in the implementation of IPC Policies, Procedures, Protocols, Guidelines and SOPs (PPPGs)

Establish effective communication and referral pathways for IPC concerns

Clinical Focus– Indirect Care

Lead and support the development, implementation, and monitoring of IPC PPPGs in line with HIQA National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare and HIQA National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections

Identify areas of IPC risk and implement appropriate mitigation strategies

Participate in and maintain IPC surveillance programmes, including data collection and analysis

Assist with timely investigation of potential or confirmed outbreaks and IPC breaches

Provide IPC guidance related to building projects and renovations

Collaborate with MDT members to monitor hospital hygiene standards

Liaise with Occupational Health and Health&Safety on IPC-related staff issues

Contribute to the ongoing development and expansion of the IPC service

Patient / Client Advocacy

Advocate for patients, families, and staff in relation to IPC practices

Work collaboratively with clinical teams to ensure a safe, high-quality IPC service is maintained

Education&Training

Develop and deliver IPC education and training programmes for all grades of staff

Provide formal and informal IPC education in clinical and classroom settings

Develop IPC educational resources, including information leaflets and guidance materials

Participate in hospital-wide initiatives such as IPC Awareness Week

Support staff competence through targeted education based on audit and surveillance findings

Utilise IT systems to support education, data management, and reporting

Audit&Research

Participate in the implementation and monitoring of national IPC standards

Develop, implement, and maintain IPC audit tools and programmes

Analyse audit and surveillance data and provide timely feedback to relevant stakeholders

Participate in outbreak investigation, clinical studies, and approved research initiatives

Maintain awareness of current IPC research and disseminate findings to staff

Support the evaluation and introduction of evidence-based clinical products

Maintain service activity data and provide annual reports to line management

Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the IPC CNS role

Surveillance

Maintain effective IPC surveillance systems for early identification of infection risks

Conduct regular audits and inspections of IPC practices and hospital hygiene

Collect, analyse, and report IPC-related data in a timely manner

Interpret laboratory reports relevant to infection prevention and control

Provide targeted education and improvement recommendations based on surveillance findings

Consultancy&Professional Leadership

Act as a specialist IPC consultant to clinical and non-clinical staff

Participate in IPC-related committees and meetings at hospital and national level

Represent CMPH and IPC services at external meetings and conferences (e.g. IPC Ireland)

Develop professional links with IPC teams in other hospitals and community settings

Act as an ambassador for IPC excellence and CMPH

Governance, Quality&Professional Practice

Comply with CMPH policies, procedures, and governance frameworks

Participate in quality, patient safety, and accreditation initiatives

Maintain confidentiality and data protection standards at all times

Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and effective time management

Seek guidance and elevate concerns appropriately

Contribute to continuous service improvement initiatives

Professional Development

Maintain registration and practice in accordance with the NMBI Code of Professional Conduct

Demonstrate ongoing commitment to continuing professional development (CPD)

Promote and support evidence-based practice

Maintain and expand knowledge of local, national, and international IPC standards

Essential Criteria Qualifications&Experience

Registered on the General Division of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the NMBI

Minimum 5 years post-registration clinical experience

Post-registration Level 9 (NQAI Major Award) qualification in Infection Prevention&Control or willingness to enter a contractual agreement to obtain same within 3 years

Demonstrated clinical, managerial, and administrative competence to fulfil the role

Evidence of ongoing continuing professional development

Skills / Competencies Clinical Expertise&Professional Practice

Demonstrates advanced specialist knowledge and clinical judgement in Infection Prevention&Control.

Applies evidence-based practice consistently to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

Provides expert advice and leadership in the management of communicable diseases and IPC risks.

Practices in accordance with NMBI Scope of Practice, professional codes, and national standards.

Patient Safety&Quality Improvement

Promotes a culture of patient safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Actively contributes to surveillance, audit, and risk management processes.

Identifies IPC risks proactively and implements effective preventative strategies.

Supports hospital accreditation, governance, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Communication&Interpersonal Skills

Communicates clearly, confidently, and professionally with patients, families, and staff.

Builds effective therapeutic and professional relationships across multidisciplinary teams.

Provides clear, timely advice and education tailored to diverse audiences.

Demonstrates sensitivity, tact, and professionalism in challenging situations.

Leadership, Consultancy&Influence

Acts as a role model and clinical leader in IPC best practice.

Influences practice through consultancy, education, and professional leadership rather than authority alone.

Supports staff engagement, compliance, and ownership of IPC standards.

Represents IPC and CMPH positively at internal and external forums.

Education, Training&Knowledge Sharing

Designs, delivers, and evaluates IPC education and training programmes.

Facilitates learning through formal teaching, bedside education, and audit feedback.

Promotes evidence-based practice and continuous learning within clinical teams.

Utilises IT systems and data to support education, reporting, and service development.

Organisation, Planning&Time Management

Manages workload effectively, balancing clinical, audit, surveillance, and educational responsibilities.

Prioritises tasks appropriately in response to service demands and …