Coordinator, Infection, Prevention and Control, Dearness Home

Summary of Duties:

Reporting to the Director of Care, the Coordinator, Infection, Prevention and Control works collaboratively with administrators, managers and employees to lead, develop and implement an Infection, Prevention and Control (IPAC) Program within the Dearness Home (the Home).  With a focus on continuous improvement, the position will recommend policies and implement procedures and responses to infectious/communicable diseases, compliant with legislation and Dearness Home expectations, ensuring effective IPAC practices; conduct monitoring, surveillance and reporting and liaise with Public Health to manage outbreaks.  Directing and supervising all nursing staff for compliance to their roles, this position will work to develop a culture of compliance and adherence to infection prevention and control using a person-centred care philosophy.  

The Coordinator, Infection, Prevention and Control is a member of the nursing management team and is expected to work every other weekend.

Work Performed:

As infection, prevention and control lead:

• Provides leadership in the execution and delivery of services and programs in the following areas of accountability:
• Ensures an infection prevention and control surveillance plan is in place and conducted, and evaluates and modifies the effectiveness of same.
  Works with the interdisciplinary team to implement the infection control program.
• Provides leadership, consultation, and guidance to administration, committees, staff, and managers regarding infection prevention and control.
• Reviews daily and monthly screening results to determine if action is required.
• Promotes and supports staff compliance with policies, public health standards, and accreditation standards through regular auditing, meetings, and problem solving.
• Directs and supervises all employees in the Home with regard to compliance in infection, prevention and control.
• Provides advice and training for management team regarding infection control activities and input for Employee Rounding.
• Liaises with Public Health staff and physicians regarding infection prevention and control matters.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement based on indicators, audits, and observations of infection control practices in the Home.
• Coordinates the Home’s infection prevention and control improvement activities.
• Reviews related research and documents and disseminates information through practice, education, and consultation.
• Provides ongoing infection control education to all staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors, and residents.
• Maintains access to infection prevention and control information.
• Advises and provides expertise to staff regarding protocols and related issues.
• Coordinates annual vaccination of staff, residents, and the public at immunization clinics, and tracks staff immunization status. Ensures new staff are current with influenza immunization.
• Evaluates infection control technology, practices, and products for cost-effectiveness and makes recommendations for purchase/implementation. Ensures maintenance of supplies and equipment required for infection control.
• Receives notification and tracks resident admissions/status with infections (e.g., skin and wound, antibiotic resistant organism); advises staff on protocols; sets up isolation procedures.
• Coordinates respirator fit testing and maintains related records.
• Ensures the Home’s cleaning and disinfection protocols are followed, including those of contracted services, such as hairdressing and foot care.
• Participates in Public Health and Ministry inspections.
• Maintains current list of staff who work at other facilities (employers).

In conjunction with the responsible Assistant Director of Care:

• Convenes the interdisciplinary infection prevention and control team at least quarterly, and at a more frequent intervals during an infectious disease outbreak in the home.
• Reviews, analyses, and tracks surveillance data, including outbreak investigations; provides reports; disseminates information; and modifies the Home’s plan for improvement of practice and resident outcomes.
• Makes recommendations based on accepted, evidence-based infection prevention and control strategies, giving consideration to clinical outcomes and financial implications.
• Collaborates with staff on integrating regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, guidelines, and current infection control practices into policies and procedures.
• Coordinates the Home’s response in the event of an infection outbreak – convenes the Outbreak Management Team at the outset of an outbreak and regularly throughout the outbreak.
• Administers the Home’s vaccination program, including ordering, storage, and reporting of vaccines.

In conjunction with the Administrator, Director of Care and responsible Assistant Director of Care:

• Maintains the Home’s pandemic plan, ensuring alignment with the Division’s pandemic plan.
• Involves key stakeholders in the review and update of the plan, ensuring related education/training occurs, and that personal protective equipment/supplies are maintained.

Accountability for people and culture:

• Directs and supervises all nursing staff for compliance to their roles. Effectively responds to and refers emergent and confidential human resources issues as required.
• Encourages employee commitment to a high level of performance in all areas of client care, client and employee safety and delivery of individual goals and objectives.
• Encourages and supports employee participation in and commitment to divisional and organizational objectives.  
• Fairly and consistently administers provisions of various collective agreements and addresses conduct issues as required.  Assists with hiring, conduct and termination processes as a member of the management team.
• Demonstrates commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and human rights through interactions with stakeholders, employees and individuals and promote programs and initiatives that reflect this commitment.
• Demonstrates commitment and adherence to Health and Safety legislation and programs; actively promotes a culture of safety.
• Participates in and chairs committees/groups within the Dearness Home.
• Works with practitioners from other long term care homes and Public Health regarding protocols and pandemic planning, and participates in local IPAC Community of Practice and/or IPAC Hub.
• Shares information with peers in other organizations and Public Health Ontario and liaises with consultants.

Qualifications:

• Completion of a Nursing program, such as the Registered Practical Nurse designation, with current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• A current certification in infection control from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, and within 3 years of hire attain any additional qualification(s) as required in the Fixing Long-Term Act, 2021 and related Regulations (O. Reg. 246/22).  
• Education and several years of experience in infection prevention and control practices, including, infectious diseases; cleaning and disinfection;
  data collection and trend analysis; reporting protocols; outbreak management; asepsis; microbiology; adult education; epidemiology;
  program management
• A tuberculosis (TB) test and annual influenza immunization are required.
• Must provide a valid Police Vulnerable Sector Check (level 3) as per applicable legislation.
• Expected to provide weekend staff supervision, every other week. Ability to work varied hours to meet requirements of the position.  Ability to respond to legislated or time sensitive demands beyond regularly scheduled work hours.
• Ability to attend meetings and workshops in other locations.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of long-term care nursing; documentation systems; the aging process; and other related  practices, plus experience in a health care facility, including supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, best practices, and related legislation (e.g., long term care, regulated health professions standards, infection control, health and safety, nursing standards, privacy, Public Health Standards).
• Organizational, evaluation, and continuous improvement skills to coordinate staff activities; achieve goals and objectives; audit, develop, and monitor programs; and develop proposals for improvements.
• Human relations, communication, leadership, and facilitation skills to mentor and advise staff; prepare and conduct infection control education sessions for staff, and facilitate group training; and participate as an effective team member.
• Demonstrated knowledge of related labour relations legislation and collective agreements and ability to apply in interactions with employees.
• Ability to write memos, reports, proposals, work plans, and develop policies and procedures.
• Ability to read and understand professional journals, books, reports, policies, and procedures relevant to scope of practice to keep knowledge current and to apply information to practice.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office. Ability to act as a staff resource and administer clinical software, including access/security, setting up/modifying modules, and troubleshooting.
• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.
• Ability to understand the importance of service delivery; develop and implement initiatives that support the clients and their families in a timely and effective way.
• Experience working collaboratively with organizations, clients, and other shareholders.

Other Information:

Part-time hours equates to 3 days per week (for a total of 21 hours).

This position is currently under review.

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