Job summary
The Northern Care Alliance is delighted to offer an opportunity to join our Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team.

The post holder will be a registered nurse with leadership experience and significant expertise in Infection Prevention and Control. They will be able to demonstrate successful service improvement initiatives and possess an in-depth understanding of the partnerships and services that directly impact IPC.

The post holder will act as deputy to the Band 7 and Lead Nurse when required and provide senior support to IPC staff across the care organisations. They will be expected to work flexibly across NCA sites, including OCO, SCO, BCO, RCO and Community services, depending on the needs of the service. This may require cross-site working to ensure the delivery of a safe, effective and responsive IPC service across the NCA.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop practical and sustainable solutions, provide expert infection prevention and control advice, and demonstrate strong leadership skills. They will also provide professional leadership and support to junior team members, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, proactive IPC service that complies with Care Quality Commission standards, the Health and Social Care Act, and the Code of Practice.

Main duties of the job
The Band 6 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nurse will support the Band 7 IPC Nurses and Lead Nurse in delivering a high-quality, evidence-based Infection Prevention and Control service across the Northern Care Alliance. Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, the post holder will help maintain a safe, effective and responsive service that protects patients, staff and visitors while supporting the delivery of outstanding patient care.

The successful candidate will provide specialist IPC advice, education and support to both clinical and non-clinical staff. They will undertake surveillance, audit and quality improvement activities, contribute to the prevention, investigation and management of infection prevention and control incidents and outbreaks, and support assurance and governance processes.

The post holder will promote compliance with national guidance, legislation and local policies, act as a visible clinical role model, and contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the Infection Prevention and Control service across the Northern Care Alliance. They will play a key role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, supporting colleagues to embed best practice and achieve excellence in infection prevention and control.

About us
The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Learn more about us in our Candidate Information Pack

Date posted: 16 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year Per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 236-NCA-NM714-26-A

Essential qualifications

• Substantial post-qualifying practice
• Ability to travel to different geographical locations across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
• Evidence of infection control knowledge
• Effective communicator able to communicate highly complex and sensitive information
• Evidence of persuasive and strong influencing skills and the ability to manage conflict
• Evidence of relevant involvement in meeting the clinical governance objectives
• Evidence of a service improvement
• Degree / Diploma in Nursing studies or equivalent

Desirable qualifications

• Post qualifying course
• Leadership course
• Full UK driving license with willingness to use own car for work purposes

Essential professional registration

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Part 1 Adult / General Level 1 or 2)

Essential knowledge and experience

• Significant post registration experience at band 5
• Demonstrates specialist expertise in IPC underpinned by theory
• Evidence of involvement and leadership in teaching and mentoring learners
• Evidence of involvement in the development of protocols and clinical audit
• Evidence of experience using a range of Microsoft office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point)

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Can demonstrate assertiveness, tact and diplomacy appropriately
• Evidence in involvement in policy change
• Demonstrates knowledge underpinned by theory acquired through CPD
• Evidence of leadership development
• Has the ability to manage conflicting views and reconciles inter and intra-professional differences of opinion
• Detailed knowledge of the NHS agenda, with explicit understanding of current issues in nursing/midwifery

Essential skills and abilities

• Good level of communication and interpersonal skills

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Contact: Lead Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control, Kay Noor, khadija.noor@nca.nhs.uk, 07738292371

Apply through our website