Location: Carlisle

Salary: £47,181 to £48,226 Pro-rata per annum

Hours: 22.2 per week

Contract: Permanent

About this opportunity

We have a vacancy for an experienced Senior Health Protection Specialist (Nurse) to work within the Cumberland Council Health Protection Team.

The postholder will support the Public Health Manager-Health Protection in assuring that statutory responsibilities in relation to health protection are effectively discharged in relation to the development, implementation and assurance of local health protection programmes for Cumberland, including health emergency planning, promotion of national screening and immunisation programmes and community infection prevention and control.

The Health Protection Team works collaboratively with colleagues in neighbouring Local Authorities and across the whole of our local health economy to identify risks, proactively implement preventative measures and respond swiftly and effectively to ongoing and new threats to population health. This includes the local monitoring and promotion of national screening and immunisation programmes and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) initiatives, such as those aimed at the reduction in healthcare associated infections and reducing antimicrobial resistance as well as targeted local programmes of audit and training with our providers.

At times of local or national outbreaks of infectious diseases (e.g Influenza/ covid pandemics) or local incidents which may present a risk to the health of our population (e.g. flooding), the team needs to respond quickly and work dynamically and flexibly alongside health protection, adult social care (ASC) and healthcare partners to swiftly implement effective control and recovery actions.

Who we’re looking for

• A Registered Nurse [or appropriately qualified Allied Health Professional] with considerable experience and knowledge of Infection Prevention and Control.
• An understanding of population level health protection issues and the wider determinants of health.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence in liaising with providers, commissioners, regulators and other health and social care stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic, confident in taking decisive action when required.
• A flexible approach to managing workload and a willingness to actively participate in the development and implementation of health protection plans and other programmes of work.
• The ability and a willingness to travel around the Council area (occasionally more widely).
• Competent in basic IT skills

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Jane Mastin by email at Jane.Mastin@cumberland.gov.uk

DBS Checks
This role requires a DBS check. The level of check for this role is - Enhanced DBS.

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Armed forces veterans whose last long term substantive employer was the armed forces

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions.

Application and Interview information

• Closing date: 10/11/2025
• Interview date: 26/11/2025

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please read the supporting information:

• Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council

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