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JOB
DESCRIPTION
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POSITION
(Title):
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Full Time - Infection Prevention and Control Associate
(IPAC) – Long Term Care
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DEPARTMENT/SERVICE
AREA:
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Infection Prevention and Control
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SITE:
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Rainy River & Emo Health Centres
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Reports
To:
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Director of Risk Management
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The IPAC Associate provides
leadership, and help to coordinate an effective, compliant Infection Prevention
and Control program for Long Term Care (LTC) facilities, including the development
of Policies and Procedures, surveillance, outbreak management, supervision of
IPAC practice, education, and quality improvement.
QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY:
- Registered Practical Nurse with current Certificate of Competence
from the College of Nurses of Ontario, OR Completion of a minimum two-year
Post-secondary diploma or degree in a health related field with a working
knowledge of microbiology as related to the epidemiology and control of
infectious diseases.
- Demonstrated knowledge in the following areas: infectious
diseases, cleaning & disinfection, data collection & trend analysis,
reporting protocols, outbreak management, asepsis, microbiology, adult
education, epidemiology and program management.
- Infection Control Certificate recognized by Infection Prevention
and Control Canada preferred. Incumbent required to enroll within 6 months of
hire.
- Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred. Incumbent
required to obtain within 3 years of hire.
- 3-5 years nursing or related experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of Infection Prevention and Control
Standards and Practices as they apply to Acute and Long-Term Care settings.
- Well developed critical thinking and decision-making skills
carrying out activities in an ethical manner per RHC Ethical Framework.
- Significant experience developing policies and procedures.
Experience developing policies and procedures related to infection prevention
and control preferred.
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills required
to effectively communicate and collaborate with management, committees, unions,
workers, and outside agencies.
- High degree of knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and
jurisprudence in information management, health and safety and employment, and
long-term care, including, but not limited to the Personal Health Information
Protection Act (PHIPA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA), Ontario
Human Rights Code, Workplace Safety Insurance Act (WSIA), Employment Standards
Act, and Accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities Act (AODA), and Fixing
Long Term Care Act.
- Proficient in the use of common office software applications
including Word Processing, Spreadsheet, E-mail, and Presentation applications.
- Proficiency using risk management software, and human resources
information systems an asset.
- First Aid and CPR certification
ROLES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The
IPAC Associate provides leadership, and help to coordinate an effective,
compliant Infection Prevention and Control program for Long Term Care (LTC)
facilities, including the development of Policies and Procedures, surveillance,
outbreak management, supervision of IPAC practice, education, and quality
improvement.
In
collaboration with administration, LTC personnel, and appropriate health care
professionals, the incumbent assists in maintaining the highest possible
standards of Infection Prevention and Control for all residents, patients,
staff, visitors, students and employees by implementing the IPAC Program.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
1.) Development and ongoing review of Infection Prevention and Control
policies and procedures for LTC in collaboration with ICP 1.1. In accordance with best practice supported by current research,
develop policies and procedures to guide Infection Prevention and Control
practices for LTC.
1.2. Review of policies and procedures on an annual basis.
1.3. Review of environmental cleaning practices.
2.) Lead the Infection Prevention and Control program/team
2.1. Conducting prevention and control activities that are specific to
the health care setting, the population served and the continuum of care.
2.2. Working with other IPAC staff, chairs and coordinates the
Infection Prevention and Control Committee within the long-term care
facilities.
2.3. Organize the interdisciplinary Infection Prevention and Control
Team meetings, on a quarterly basis at minimum.
2.4. Responsible to create goals and objectives for the Infection
Prevention and Control Program and report to the Director of Risk Management.
2.5. Coordinate Outbreak Management meetings as required for infectious
and non-infectious outbreaks.
2.6. Incorporating fiscal responsibility into the IPAC program.
2.7. Lead the resident immunization program.
3.) Surveillance
3.1. Using a systematic surveillance approach to monitor the
effectiveness of prevention and control strategies that are consistent with the
organizations goals and objectives.
3.2. Management of and surveillance for healthcare acquired infections
(HAI).
3.3. Assists with completion of IPAC audits including hand hygiene, PPE
and assisting with environmental services audits.
3.4. Collects and analyzes data and disseminates information to the
appropriate areas.
3.5. Investigates infection control practices when indicated through
data analysis. 3.6. Initiates practice change based on surveillance data when
appropriate.
3.7. Reports surveillance data to the ICP and Infection Prevention and
Control Committee. 3.8. Maintains relevant records as mandated.
3.9. RAI entries
4.) Outbreak Management
4.1. Investigates clusters of infection to determine outbreak potential
4.2. Reports all outbreaks and suspect outbreaks to the Northwestern
Health Unit
4.3. Directs LTC activities and serves as the LTC contact person in
outbreak situations
4.4. Coordinates ongoing activities for outbreak management
4.5. Ensures the LTC Home is in compliance with related regulations and
orders
4.6. Coordinates organizational planning, policy development and
activities related to the LTC emergency response plans for pandemic disease in
collaboration with the ICP 5.) Supervision of the practice of Infection Prevention and Control
Precautions for LTC staff 5.1. Provides ongoing review of residents on infection prevention and
control precautions updating care plans as appropriate.
5.2. Assesses clinical status and infectious disease diagnosis and
determines appropriate infection prevention and control interventions.
5.3. Acts as a resource to staff in infection prevention and control
practices, hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE).
5.4. Monitor construction activities occurring in LTC regarding
infection control standards. 5.5. Conduct N95 Fit Testing as a program champion
5.6. Involvement in product selection related to agents for hand
hygiene and disinfection. 5.7. Involvement in safety issues relating to IPAC.
6.) Education
6.1. Provides education to LTC staff on infection prevention and
control policies, procedures, and practices.
6.2. Maintains a working knowledge of current best practices related to
infection prevention and control.
6.3. Promotes the practice of infection prevention and control through
ongoing communication along with a presence on resident care units.
6.4. Motivates LTC personnel to become participants in Infection
Prevention and Control.
6.5. Provide infection prevention and control education to residents,
visitors, caregivers and contractors.
6.6. Offer infection prevention and control resources and education to
Resident and Family Councils
6.7. Provides infection prevention and control resources to health
disciplines within and outside the organization.
7.) Quality Improvement Program
7.1. Design audits to validate infection prevention and control
practices.
7.2. Analyze audit findings and present actions for improvement to the
IPAC Committee.
7.3. Formulate quality reports to be submitted to the Quality, Safety
and Risk Committee.
7.4. LTC Quality protocols are to be completed annually and submitted
to Director of Risk Management and Infection Control Practitioner and IPAC
Committee/Administrator.
7.5. Participate in quality programs such as wound care, catheter usage
etc, that have potential for infection
8.) Professional Development
8.1. Acquires and maintains current IPAC knowledge and skills in
epidemiology
8.2. Is responsible for the development, evaluation, and improvement of
his/her own practice in relation to the practice standards for IPAC.
8.3. Keeps current with new issues and trends in infection prevention
and control through literature and research and applying relevant findings into
IPAC practice
8.4. Participates in the Infection Prevention and Control Groups and
Associations (IPAC-Canada, Regional Infection Control Network etc.).9.) Other
9.1. Work in collaboration with the Occupational Health Nurse, and
Occupational Health & Safety Coordinator.
9.2. Work in collaboration with Clinical Leadership and Medical Staff.
9.3. Involvement in facility design, maintenance and construction
projects.
9.4. Participation in planning activities for emerging pathogens,
bioterrorism and pandemics.
9.5. Collaborate with Infection Control Practitioner to ensure coverage
at all sites, and cover each other during time off.
9.6. Travel to other RHC sites across the district.
9.7. Other duties as assigned.
CONDITIONS
OF EMPLOYMENT:
1.
Human Resource Policies
2.
Corporation Policies
3.
Department Policies
4.
Must provide satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check
5.
Must maintain valid Class ‘G’ Driver’s License