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Deputy Associate Director of Infection Prevention & Control
Salary: Band 8b (£76,888 - £82,251)
Job Type: Nursing and Midwifery
Location: NHS Lothian wide
Employment type: Permanent
Hours Per Week: 36hrs
Employer (NHS Board): NHS Lothian
Department: Infection Prevention and Control
About The Organisation
NHS Lothian provides a comprehensive range of primary, community‑based and acute hospital services to the second‑largest residential population in Scotland (approximately 800,000 people). We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Deputy Associate Director of Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) to provide senior clinical leadership across all NHS Lothian services.
The Role
This is a senior clinical leadership role providing expert IPC advice and direction across acute and community health services. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, you will shape and deliver IPC strategy, policy and practice, supporting patient safety through the prevention and reduction of healthcare‑associated infection.
- Risk assessment and clinical management of patients with transmissible infections
- Infection surveillance, monitoring and reporting
- Maintenance and operation of healthcare facilities
- Education, training and development of staff across all disciplines
- Incident and outbreak management
The post holder will have overall responsibility for promoting and embedding best practice in IPC across NHS Lothian. You will hold direct line‑management responsibility for all substantive band 7 Geographical Leads staff, as well as clinical professional oversight of the wider IPC team (approximately 31 WTE). The postholder will provide senior professional oversight and educational support to the wider IPC nursing service and will deputise for the Associate Director of Infection Prevention & Control when required.
About The Postholder
You will be a First Level Registered Nurse with a postgraduate qualification in Infection Prevention & Control, supported by significant and demonstrable experience in this specialist field. A portfolio of evidence demonstrating advanced IPC knowledge and leadership is essential.
You Will Bring
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- The ability to work effectively across complex, multidisciplinary environments
- Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to continuous improvement
Travel across NHS Lothian sites is required; therefore a full, valid UK driving licence and access to a car is essential. This is a permanent, full‑time post, working Monday to Friday.
From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full‑time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part‑time working hours will be reduced on a pro‑rata basis, with a corresponding increase in the hourly rate to keep total pay unchanged.
What We Offer
- Annual Leave – 35 days including public holidays
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Annual incremental salary progression
- Paid sick leave increasing with length of service
- NHS discounts and more
To work in the United Kingdom, a legal requirement exists to demonstrate relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigration Service. The post requires a PVG Scheme membership/record; if not current, an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before commencing. Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role" your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, and any changes will be confirmed by the recruitment team.
We will fully support disabled candidates, candidates with long‑term conditions or neuro‑divergent individuals by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
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