Deputy Director Infection Prevention and Control

Closing date: 06 August 2026
Job summary
The Deputy Director Infection Prevention and Control in the University Hospitals Sussex (UHS) IPC Team (IPCT) is part of the senior IPC leadership team along with the Lead Nurse and Matrons, and will manage and develop the Trust's Infection Prevention service with responsibility for implementing strategies to reduce the risk of infection to patients, staff and visitors.

The postholder will provide strategic, and operational leadership for Infection Prevention and Control across the whole UH Sussex Trust, providing expert clinical advice and guidance to clinical colleagues (nurses, medical and allied health professional staff).

Actively contribute to the strategic development of the specialist Infection Prevention and Control service in line with Trust objectives and national guidance.

They will lead the development of nursing practice, service performance review, evidence based practice, clinical audit and governance, implementing improvements that increase service effectiveness, efficiency and the quality of care.

The postholder will function at a very senior level within the organisation, proactively leading and providing solutions to resolve highly complex issues, in accordance with professional standards, agreed Trust objectives, targets, quality standards and resource constraints.

Main duties of the job

• They will promote and implement effective cross boundary working with ICS/ CCG colleagues, Public Health England, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and other stakeholders.
• They will be required to develop and deliver Trust wide policy and guidelines relating to Infection Prevention and Control.
• Implement an educational strategy to underpin changes in Infection Prevention and Control practice. They will develop and sustain appropriate multi-agency and inter professional relationships and to network to influence and develop current systems of care delivery.
• The postholder will have proven senior managerial experience in leading teams and will possess leadership skills to deal competently with highly complex issues in ensuring that standards and policy are upheld, implemented and performance managed.
• Working closely with the DIPC, associate DIPC and Microbiology consultants, the postholder will provide strategic leadership for delivery of the IPC agenda and the management of Infection Prevention and Control service.
• Ensure the prevention, surveillance and control of healthcare related infection in the Trust and the attainment of key Trust performance targets relating to Infection Prevention and Control.

About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

Candidate Pack

Details
Date posted: 27 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8c
Salary: £79,504 to £91,609 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 6 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 279- 8134219-JUL26
Job locations: Trust wide, Worthing, BN11 2DH

Job responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.

If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

• Work in support of the Associate DIPC to ensure that communications are managed between the various professions, the divisions and internal/external organisations, dealing with issues, escalating media enquiries appropriately.
• Develop the long term Infection Prevention and Control Strategy and Annual Infection Prevention and Control Programme on behalf of the Trust and ensure the Trust meets both national and local targets in line with the Trust objectives.
• Work closely with the DIPC in the production of the annual report for the Trust board.
• Develop and implement the Infection Prevention and Control Strategy to achieve the Trust objectives of minimising HCAI. This will be evidenced through reduction in MRSA bacteraemia, Clostridium difficile, E.coli and Pseudomonas cases in line with the internal and externally agreed targets.
• Develop, implement and manage the Infection Control Programme in liaison with the DIPC, Divisional Nurse Directors, Matrons, Clinical staff and external agencies.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of the Infection Prevention and Control Strategy and its working practices including the impact on the wider health community. Develop policy and guidelines in relation to Infection Prevention and Control by implementing national policy and linking to local agendas.
• Utilise advanced clinical reasoning skills and evidence based knowledge in the management of patients with highly complex presentations and to be clinically competent to utilise expert skills and knowledge in a variety of clinical settings.
• Reconcile inter-professional differences of opinion in relation to patients where the evidence base is balanced or absent.
• Instigate and request outbreak and individual patient, clinical investigations and treatment regimes in line with protocols and guideline and to advise on extraordinary Infection Prevention and Control measures where appropriate.
• Responsible for ensuring the safe use of specialist equipment.
• Delegated budget holder for specialist budget

Communication

• Excellent communication skills, which involves communicating amongst members of the multi-professional team and other agencies. Must be able to work across professional boundaries within the Trust and externally.
• Provide expert advice on all aspects of Infection Prevention and Control to a range of health professionals and influence Infection Prevention and Control in the wider health economy.
• Demonstrate an expert ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information to patients, carers and other staff, where there may be barriers to communication or may include information about long-term/permanent disabilities.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills in delivering key messages with clarity and succinctly, whilst ensuring that the main message is clear.
• Convey messages of varying complexity to different audiences, in a manner which is easily understood, including dealing with external agencies, e.g. UKHSA/ NHSE/ICS Skilled and knowledgeable in leading complex discussions and negotiations on behalf of the Trust to influence internal and external stakeholders with respect to Infection Prevention and Control.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Lead a culture of service and quality improvement, which produces new ideas, approaches, innovation or insights, ensuring that plans are developed and taken forward to improve patient safety, care and services.
• Create a positive and compelling vision of the Trusts future potential with regard to Infection Prevention and Control, ensuring a structured project management approach is used to plan and proactively manage transformational change.
• Demonstrate expert facilitation skills when working with internal/external stakeholders on improving quality of patient care and services, encouraging and building on contributions from patients, ICS/CCGs, Local Councils, GPs and other key stakeholders.
• Monitor review and advise on Infection Prevention and Control business and service performance as part of the Trust Infection Prevention and Control Committee, and at performance reviews and other relevant internal and external meetings instigating remedial action to provide assurance where necessary.
• Contribute to the development of major service delivery and transformation using established project methodology across the Trust.
• Support implementation plans of varying levels of complexity, including those involving multi-disciplinary working, to support enhanced patient care, safety and quality of services.
• Ensure that on-going quality, innovation and service improvement plans are underpinned by a strong evidence base for improving patient outcomes and/or patient experience, and in line with service strategies and business plans.
• Provide expert advice and guidance at all relevant stages of the development and planning process for new builds, remodels, refurbishments and redesigns.
• Develop innovative and robust models of service, challenging organisational and professional boundaries.

Please note that if you currently work for another NHS Trust or UHSussex and you are applying to accept this position as a secondment opportunity, before applying you must seek agreement and authorisation from your current Trust/Manager. Secondments cant be agreed without this approval. If you are unable to gain approval, you should refrain from applying unless you wish to take this role as a fixed term position.

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.

If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.

Person Specification
Registered Nurse
Essential

• First Level Registered Nurse (NMC) or relevant professional education
• Relevant masters / post graduate qualification and equivalent experience.
• A relevant specialist qualification in Infection, Prevention and Control.
• Demonstrable experience across the range of IPC activities in a specialist Trust (or equivalent).
• Ability to think and plan strategically, tactically and creatively and to prioritise work programmes in the face of competing demands.
• Proven track record in using quantitative, qualitative and financial information to inform delivery planning and in monitoring performance and particularly associated with clinical quality.
• Experience of teaching and education in professional and academic settings
• Understanding of clinical governance and its application to practice

Desirable

• Recognised teaching qualification
• Further IPC training in specialised areas e.g ventilation
• Track record of publication/scientific presentations
• Highly developed knowledge and understanding of the changing NHS environment, strategy and policy agendas on IPC
• Experience in community and/or public health settings
• Clinical professional qualification and registration in relevant health care related subject
• Project and Change Management Qualification

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).