Hospitals in Greater Manchester have employed dedicated Covid-19 safety officers.
They are believed to be the first such NHS staff in the country.
The 24 new recruits will work to ensure Northern Care Alliance hospitals inlcuding Fairfield in Bury, Salford Royal, Rochdale Infirmary and Oldham Royal meet stringent infection prevention measures.
Their jobs will include helping doctors, nurses and other clinical teams put on and take off their PPE correctly and ensuring public, patients, visitors and staff adhere to the hospitals' coronavirus prevention measures.
They'll also advise staff on hand washing, support social distancing and advise on the correct use of face masks.
Mark O'Leary, a furloughed cabin crew member at Virgin Atlantic, has been recruited as the infection prevention and control safety officer at The Royal Oldham Hospital.
The 36-year-old said: "It’s a great honour to be one of the first of a new breed of hospital infection prevention and control safety officers.
"I am excited to be using my background in safety, all be it in a different sector, to help fight covid and keep hospitals safe for patients, staff and the public."
A dozen staff have already started work with another 12 due to begin in the next few weeks.
Dr Chris Brookes, chief medical officer and executive director lead for infection prevention control, at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group said: "I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the 24 new infection prevention and control safety officers .
"These people have an important role to play in keeping our hospitals and community services infection free, which is especially important in the run up to our busy winter period."
