Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner

JOB SUMMARY:

The Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner is responsible for leading and demonstrating the provision of safe focused quality infection control practices. As a key member of the multidisciplinary team ensures that standards for infection prevention and control are adhered to at the service level. The incumbent works collaboratively with the Manager - Infection Prevention and Control to ensure the prevention, surveillance, investigation and control of infection, and the delivery of educational programs for staff on aspects of infection prevention and control. S/he monitors and improves compliance with best practice to ensure a comprehensive service is provided.

KEY ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provides professional leadership, advice, support and guidance to staff.
• Acts as a professional role model and provides strong, facilitative and effective clinical leadership.
• Ensures effective communication with patients, their relatives and relevant others to impart information and support in an emotive and sensitive manner.
• Assists in the selecting and initiating appropriate actions to enable all levels and disciplines of staff to prevent and control infection.
• Assesses and monitors infection occurrences and advises on specific infections and precautions.
• Makes recommendations for change in work environment and practice regarding infection prevention and control concerns.
• Conducts a range of risk assessments and inspections including employee adherence and compliance to the correct usage of personal protective equipment and clothing.
• Conducts annual monitoring of employee compliance to infection prevention and control practices.
• Assists in the formulation and initiation of appropriate operational strategies to minimize the risk of infection and advises when patient isolation is necessary, ensuring that correct techniques are implemented and reviewed.
• Ensures infection prevention and control practices enhance patient safety and minimizes risks for the patient’s experience.
• Reviews microbiological data to evaluate the efficiency of the intervention and plan future practice.
• Maintains appropriate records in line with departmental protocols.
• Maintains effective administrative processes.
• Undertakes defined projects to support the delivery of high quality, clinically effective care.
• Participates in the monitoring, review and development of department specific policies and procedures to ensure they meet legislation and Ministry of Health recommendations and reflect standards of best practice.
• Provides surveillance in accordance with current legislation.
• Assists in the design and implementation of Infection prevention and control initiatives in partnership with the relevant multidisciplinary teams.
• Works flexibly and supportively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure that the objectives and goals for the service are met.
• Promotes interdisciplinary collaboration with outcomes aimed at the best interest of patients, families, visitors and staff.
• Evaluates day to day processes and develops and reviews criteria for work assignment and delivery care model in collaboration with Nurse Manager.
• Utilizes outcome measures to evaluate effectiveness of care through the review of data and the questioning of inconsistencies.
• Identifies ideas that will improve the quality of service and issues that negatively impact on patient care and employee satisfaction
• Supports key performance indicators for the service and holds self and others accountable for actions and outcomes.
• Contributes to the achievement of cost efficiency savings in the service and maintains an awareness of resource utilization, exercising care in the ordering and use of equipment and materials.
• Participates in audit and research planning that focuses on the efficacy and effectiveness of infection prevention and control practices.
• Reports equipment failures, safety and security issues, and/or reduction of supply inventory.
• Collaborates with the Manager of Infection Prevention and Control and Patient Educators in planning, implementation and evaluation of infection prevention and health promotion campaigns.
• Ensures the effective orientation, precepting and support of new staff and students.
• Provides a welcoming work environment. 
• Ensures relevant information is communicated to all staff effectively and efficiently.
• Applies problem-solving techniques and ensures appropriate escalation of issues to meet patient/staff needs and resolve conflicts.
• Leads Performance Improvement activities and committees as assigned. 
• Develops and sustains own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness and maintains a professional profile.
• Provides documented evidence of own performance and maintenance of skills consistent with position.
• Deputizes for the Manager of Infection Prevention and Control as required.
• Follows all Sidra related policies and procedures. 
• Adheres to Sidra’s standards as they appear in the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies
• Adheres to and promotes Sidra’s Values

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor Degree in Nursing (4 years)

or 

• Diploma in Nursing (3 years after post high school)
• Certification/Degree in Infection prevention and control
• Registered Nurse 

• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and motivate teams to meet care objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to delegate, supervise, and evaluate the performance of nursing interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to design, coordinate and evaluate plans of care.
• Demonstrated ability to apply and integrate knowledge and skills into practice.
• Demonstrated ability to use risk analysis tools to anticipate safety risks.
• Demonstrated ability to access, critique, and analyze information. 
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize data, information and knowledge on client outcomes and modify interventions to improve health care outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, assess and develop educational materials.  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in organizing data and generating thorough, accurate, timely reports.
• Demonstrated experience with Clinical Information Systems (CIS).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
• Fluency in written and spoken English