Position Summary:
The Associate Director of Care - Infection Prevention and Control manages and oversees the infection prevention and control program ensuring there is an organized and implemented infection prevention and control program in the care communities. Associated Director of Infection Prevention and Control will ensure practices promote the safety of residents, visitors and team members while meeting regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Surveillance
- Overseeing the delivery of infection prevention and control education to all staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors, and residents
- Coordinates and implement IPAC practices
- Ensures surveillance and screening program in place for residents and team members
- Responsible for the coordination of surveillance data daily using the electronic health record and other surveillance tools to monitor for infection trends. Action on any results as required to reduce the risk/spread of infections.
- Consults with the physicians/nurse practitioners on laboratory results and trending of data to promote antibiotic stewardship
- Collaborates with the Interdisciplinary team on the clinical management of residents based on the infection
Outbreak Management
- Ensure that team members are following IPAC processes, compliance to PPE, donning and doffing and hand hygiene practices
- Where applicable provide training, coaching and education to ensure compliance.
- Issue, as required discipline related to non- compliance pertaining to IPAC protocol and guidelines
- Provide management reports to identify trends regarding non-compliance
- Attend management forums to address discipline related issues and identify trends to ensure compliance
- Collaborate with Public Heath to manage outbreaks, ensure line lists are updated and accuracy of data is communicated to internal and external partners
- Manage and co-ordinate all activities during outbreaks, to ensure daily outbreak meetings occur, documented minutes and follow up actions to provide oversight to the LTC.
- Summarize outbreak analysis and trending for communication at Infection Prevention & Control Committee/Professional Advisory Committee
Mentoring
- Provides education and coaching to team members on IPAC practices
- Creates content to assist with educating residents, team members and visitors regarding Public Health guidelines
- Conduct the orientation/mentoring of new IPAC champions within the care community
- Assist with the coordination and orientation of new hires/students/volunteers/contracted services on IPAC practices
- Completes ongoing just in time training to team members /students/ volunteers/contracted services on safe IPAC practices
- Provide "on the spot" training and coaching to ensure compliance
Quality Improvement
- Implement quality improvement initiatives that may results from internal and external partner visits
- Conducts at minimum quarterly Infection Control Meetings. Ensures agenda is prepared, minutes are posted, and action plans are developed related to infection control practices
- Participates and ensures the coordination of annual flu clinics and immunization programs
- Conducts scheduled quality improvement audits to include but not limited to hand hygiene, PPE, equipment cleaning and disinfection procedures
- Audit compliance to cleaning and disinfectant procedures in nursing, dietary, programs, housekeeping, laundry, contracted services such as hairdresser, physiotherapy
- Complete annual evaluation of the Infection Prevention and Control Program
Safety
- Ensures there is a hand hygiene program in accordance with any standard or protocol issued by the Director under subsection (2) which includes, at a minimum, access to hand hygiene agents at point-of-care etc.
- Complete monthly health and safety inspections for IPAC and safety practices (i.e., needle stick injuries, PPE concerns, cleaning, and disinfecting equipment concerns)
- Identify and report health and safety hazards for residents and team members
- Coordinates & Conducts Respiratory Mask Fit testing, training and ensures compliance to training requirements. Ensures records are kept current and up to date
- Works in accordance with the organization's Health and Safety Policies and Procedures and in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Maintain Confidentiality regarding personal data and access to data
- Performs other duties as assigned
Operational Experience:
- To ensure quality care and a safe, effective, and efficient work environment.
- To be knowledgeable of the Resident Bill of Rights, LTCHA and associated regulations and always promotes a resident first philosophy.
- Ensures resident and family satisfaction and continuous quality improvement initiatives are promoted.
- Leads in the coordination and implementation of best practice and risk management initiatives related to resident care.
- Conducts regular audits and in-services to ensure continuous quality improvement in conjunction with other leaders and departments.
People Leadership and Management:
- With support of the Director of Care, directs, supervises, evaluates, and performance manages personal support workers and registered team members.
- Leads, coaches and mentors team members; supports continued learning opportunities and fosters a positive working environment.
- Experience working in a unionized work environment to ensure progressive discipline practices are implemented
- Collaborate with the Director of Care in the implementation and evaluation of the nursing department initiatives and functions.
- Works with the Director of Care, and other leaders as needed, to conduct investigations as needed and production of associated findings reports.
Qualifications:
- University degree in related discipline (e.g., nursing, laboratory, epidemiology, and other allied health) or equivalent combination of education and experience an asset
- Associate - Infection Prevention & Control (a-IPC) and/or Certification in Infection Control (CIC) an asset
- A Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse as asset
- Minimum of 2 years' experience in infection control is required
- Previous experience in long-term care or health care sector is preferred
- Has a good understanding of adult learning principles and teaching methods to facilitate learning
- Knowledge of the Long-Term Care Act & Regulations is preferred
- Customer service related experience an asset
- Strong oral and written communication skills required
- Ability to organize, plan, and work independently
- Ability to collaborate and work in teams
- Proficient computer skills with word, excel and electronic document software
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to upgrade and maintain personal and educational qualifications as required by the changing demands of the job
Salary Range: $90,000 - $113,000
To learn more about PCH, visit our website here: https://partnerscommunityhealth.ca/
To learn more about Wellbrook Place, the new long-term care homes and seniors hub, click here: https://www.partnerscommunityhealth.ca/wellbrook-place/
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada. We would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
