Infection Control Practice Leader

Description

Qualifications:

• Baccalaureate Degree in Health Related Discipline or equivalent combination of education and/or experience
• Diploma/Certificate in Infection Control or equivalent work experience or must commit to obtaining same as soon as eligible as per Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (within three years of commencing employment)
• Current Certificate of Competence – Ontario College of Nurses or Registration with a College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario or Registration with a College of Medical Laboratory Technologists (microbiology)
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or in the process of obtaining as soon as eligible but, at least within three years of commencing employment
• 5 years related experience in Infection Control or Public Health
• Working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations under the Act for healthcare and residential facilities
• Knowledge of WHMIS, Public Hospitals Act and Health Protection and Promotion Act
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Intermediate computer skills (Word, Excel)
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Experience in a unionized environment preferred
• Evidence of good performance history and attendance record
• Ability to work in a manner that exemplifies the core values of West Park:  Excellence, Respect, Trust, Collaboration and Accountability
• Should be aware of conditions and measures that may affect the safety of patients, residents, students, employees, volunteers, physicians and visitors

Accountabilities:

• Assisting the manager of Infection Prevention and Control in the planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) program through the development of policies and procedures, and designing/conducting education programs to control, reduce and/or prevent the spread of infection for patients and workers and leading the development and implementation of the IPAC 3 Year Plan.  Responsible for implementing the recommendations arising out of the Infection Control (IPAC) Committee including providing reports related to their data needs
• Assist the Occupational Health, Safety and Infection Control staff in ensuring compliance with applicable infection control legislation, guidelines and protocols.  This involves keeping abreast of changes, developing and implementing policies and procedures, consulting with managers to ensure they include infection control principles in their policies and procedures, provide consultation services to the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee as required
• Advise and recommend standards and policies on matters of infection control in patients, employees and visitors to the IPAC Committee, Administration and the Directors and Managers of all Programs and Departments
• Collaborate with and advise, internal and external parties toward optimum IPAC processes and systems that best meet the healthcare providers’ and patients’ needs from an IPAC perspective (e.g. working with SIMS and the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) Team)
• Consult with healthcare providers, physicians, managers & directors throughout the centre assisting them to identify and reduce infection risks through risk assessment and control strategies
• Prepare a variety of statistical reports including those for the Medical Advisory Committee, IPAC Committee, Senior Management and the Quality Committee of the Board, the Balanced Score Card and managers quarterly/annually by gathering, trending and analyzing data
• Rotate with Infection Control Practitioner to remain on-call outside of normal working hours to ensure timely and effective response related to infection control issues
• Conduct and assist in investigations and research studies related to infection and associated risks.
• Conduct audits to assess compliance with IPAC policies and procedures
• Design, deliver and evaluate educational programs related to infection control for staff, patients, physicians, volunteers and visitors as appropriate
• Liaise with other infection practitioners and healthcare providers on infection control issues to stay abreast of best practices and current trends in infection control
• Maintain membership and actively participate in the professional organization CHICA, Canada, and the local chapter of the association and relevant agencies(e.g. RICN)