Surveillance Nurse Manager III – Infection Prevention & Control

Location: UPMC Whitfield Hospital
Job type: Permanent

Overview of role:

To lead and coordinate surveillance activities for surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and any other healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), ensuring timely data collection, analysis, and reporting to support infection prevention strategies and improve patient safety. Act as deputy for the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer (ACNO) for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) during her absence Maintaining documentation and reporting in line with regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Surveillance & Data Management
• Conduct active surveillance of SSIs, BSIs, and other HCAIs using national and local protocols
• Develop local protocols as required to ensure all information is reflective of best practice
• Collect, validate, and analyse infection data from clinical areas, laboratory systems, and patient records.
• Maintain accurate databases and contribute to clinical governance meetings
• Identify trends, clusters, and outbreaks, and escalate findings to the IPC team.
• Ensure all data/information is stored in accordance with GDPR guidelines

Clinical Collaboration

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with clinical, administrative, and external stakeholders to ensure engagement and collaboration.
• Liaise with surgical and medical teams, microbiology, and ward staff to ensure accurate case identification and follow-up.
• Act as a liaison between IPC and clinical departments to support infection control initiatives.
• Facilitate communication and feedback loops to promote shared ownership of infection prevention goals.
• Participate in multidisciplinary reviews of infection cases and contribute to root cause analyses.
• Support implementation of targeted interventions based on surveillance findings.

Education & Training

• Provide training to clinical staff on surveillance definitions, documentation, and infection prevention practices.
• Promote awareness of HCAI risks and surveillance outcomes through presentations and reports.

Audit & Quality Improvement

• Contribute to IPC audits, including hand hygiene, environmental cleanliness, and antimicrobial stewardship.
• Support quality improvement initiatives aimed at reducing HCAI rates.
• Assist in policy development and review of IPC guidelines.

Reporting & Communication

• Prepare regular surveillance reports for hospital committees, senior management, and external agencies.
• Communicate findings clearly and professionally to clinical and non-clinical stakeholders.
• Research & Evidence-Based Practice
• Participate in or support research activities related to infection prevention, surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship.
• Critically appraise and apply current evidence to improve surveillance methodologies and IPC interventions.
• Contribute to publications, presentations, or quality improvement projects where appropriate.

Deputy for the ACNO IPC during her absence

• Ensure continuity of IPC leadership and support across all sites.
• Provide guidance and oversight to site IPC teams to ensure adherence to national and international standards, including HIQA and JCI.
• Monitor compliance with IPC protocols and escalating risks or non-conformances as appropriate.
• Support the implementation and evaluation of IPC programmes, audits, and improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate communication between site teams and senior management to maintain alignment with strategic IPC objectives.
• Contribute to incident management and outbreak response, ensuring timely and effective interventions.
• Maintain documentation and reporting in line with regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Registered General Nurse with NMBI.
• Minimum 5 years post-registration experience, with at least 3 years in infection prevention.
• Masters in Infection Prevention & Control.
• Experience with surveillance systems and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel,).

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficient in clinical documentation and data management.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

At UPMC we provide a total rewards program that is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunities for all our colleagues.

Compensation – Competitive pay for the work employees do – base pay, performance related pay and premium pay where applicable.

Benefits – Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension Plan, company funded Death in Service Benefit x 3 times. Critical Illness cover for all employees up to the age of 66.

Performance and Recognition – Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC through our annual ACES programme.

Work-Life Balance – Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible working opportunities to support you to work around external family commitments.

Development and Career Opportunities – Opportunities for each employee to reach their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.

About UPMC

UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical centre committed to delivering people-focused care that’s close to home. Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shapes the future of health through clinical and technological innovation, research and education. UPMC expands its expertise globally, bringing world-class care across continents through its UPMC International division — an owned and operated network of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland and Croatia. UPMC International brings new access to the signature specialty services of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, UPMC Sports Medicine and others to more people in more places around the world.

In Ireland UPMC has provided high-quality healthcare in the South East since 2006. UPMC’s operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy locations in Waterford and Cork, UPMC The 4th Practice in Mallow, and across UPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, and Mayo. UPMC has also established a nationwide Concussion Network. UPMC's Global Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny.