Infection Control Practitioner

Hamilton Health Sciences•Hamilton, ON

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

Supports the Infection Prevention and Control Program for Hamilton Health Sciences at Long-Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes and other Congregate Living Settings and all sites. This role involves following national guidelines and best practices for infection surveillance, reporting communicable diseases, reviewing patient records for infection indicators, and interpreting laboratory reports. The practitioner will gather and analyze infection control statistics, investigate outbreaks, and consult on infection risk assessment and prevention strategies. They will also participate in the development of protocols and policies, provide on-call services, and assist in research projects. Additional support includes responding to inquiries, acting as a resource, participating in educational programs, implementing regulatory changes, and consulting on product evaluations. The role also requires attendance at hospital committees.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Nursing or other Regulated Healthcare Professional discipline or University degree in a health sciences field.
Successful completion of an IPAC-Canada endorsed basic training course in Infection Prevention and Control.
Two years experience working in an Infection Prevention and Control Program.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the complexities of the delivery of patient care.
Ability to communicate successfully with staff, families and community partners.
Computer proficiencies: MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint, familiarity with statistical software preferred.
Demonstrated experience in adult education techniques.
Self-motivated, flexible and able to work effectively with minimal supervision.
Consistent and regular attendance required.

Nice To Haves

Certificate in Infection Control (CIC designation) by the Certification Board of Infection Control is preferred.
Knowledge of Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes and other Congregate Living Settings, and ambulatory care programs an asset.
Effective research skills including ability to construct effective studies involving statistical measures an asset.

Responsibilities

Follows national guidelines/best practices for the surveillance of healthcare associated infections.
Follows the Public Health Act (HPPA) for the reporting of communicable infectious diseases.
Reviews patient records to ascertain clinical signs and symptoms for infection, clinical interventions and requirements for transmission-based precautions. Completes patient specific information.
Reviews and interprets significant clinical laboratory reports on a daily basis for the purpose of ongoing surveillance/trends.
Interviews hospital patients or out-patients as necessary to complete the patient-specific data.
Gathers and calculates infection control statistics such as averages, percentages and rates in support of the infection prevention and control program.
Investigates all infection clusters and outbreaks with interventions directed at infection prevention.
Consults for infection risk assessment, prevention and control strategies to departments.
Participates or consults in the development and maintenance of Infection Prevention and Control protocols/standards/policy and procedures.
Provides after hours and weekend on-call services as required and occasional weekends on-site coverage.
Assists in research projects with bibliographic searches, statistical computations, drafting of reports/papers and publications.
Supports Program activities as requested by the Infection Control/Manager, which may include: responding to inquiries from hospital staff, patients, visitors, associates and community partners; acting as a resource/consultant for infection prevention and control issues; participating in the preparation and implementation of educational programs that support the goals of the department; implements changes mandated by regulatory and licensing agencies; consulting on product evaluation and recommendations for infection prevention and control implications.
Attends and participates in hospital-related committees as directed by the Infection Control Officer/Manager.