Health Protection Practitioner; Level 1

This entry-level development post sits in the South East Region health protection team, within the Kent, Surrey & Sussex team. The work centres on case management of routine and non-complex infection and environmental hazard incidents, with advice to health professionals, partners and the public, and escalation of complex outbreaks to senior managers. It is open to environmental health practitioners, registered nurses, midwives and allied health professionals seeking to move into health protection, and is hybrid with a regional on-call rota.

• Contribute to the day-to-day running of the acute response function under supervision
• Provide first point of contact for specialist health protection advice to health professionals
• Undertake initial assessment and management of routine acute response work and non-complex incidents
• Escalate challenging or complex incidents and infectious disease outbreaks to senior managers
• Manage a caseload, keeping accurate records and following team handover procedures
• Use an evidence-based approach to clinical and professional advice, seeking senior advice when needed
• Support and take part in the team's formal case review process
• Contribute to, and under supervision lead, longer-term management of issues in a defined geographical area
• Contribute to UKHSA incident response under EPRR arrangements and the Civil Contingencies Act
• Take part in a regional on-call rota
• Contribute to surveillance of communicable disease and environmental hazards
• Contribute to research, teaching and training for professionals and trainees

• Health-related first degree or demonstrable equivalent experience, or current professional registration as a general nurse or allied health professional in a relevant discipline, e.g. NMC
• Working towards registration with a health or science related professional body

• Post-registration experience as a practitioner in a related field

• Understanding of, and ability to work under, the Health and Social Care Act, including safeguarding vulnerable adults, data protection and information governance
• Effective verbal and written communication, including report writing and presentations
• Ability to work independently, manage and prioritise own workload and cope with competing demands
• Ability to problem solve in an unpredictable, pressured environment to tight timescales

• Enhanced DBS check
• Basic Personnel Security Standard clearance

• Flexible and hybrid working, with at least 60% of contracted hours on-site
• Pay increases through the annual pay award
• Starting salary principles apply for candidates moving from another government department, NHS or local authority