Infection Control Practitioner

• The Infection Control program supports IPAC services for Hamilton Health Sciences at Long-Term Care Homes, Retirement Homes and other Congregate Living Settings and all sites:
• 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 infection clusters and outbreaks with interventions directed at infection prevention
The successful candidate to this role will work with all the Hub staff supporting congregate living settings across the region (Hamilton, Niagara, Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk) with the main responsibility being the coordination of educational activities for the settings that are being supported by the HNHB IPAC Hub. This will entail development of IPAC-related educational material that are being shared through multiple channels as well as helping organize and supporting community of practices and other educational events.

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing or other Regulated Healthcare Professional discipline or University degree in a heath sciences field
• Successful completion of an IPAC-Canada endorsed basic training course in Infection Prevention and Control and a certificate in Infection Control (CIC designation) by the Certification Board of Infection Control
• Two years experience in an Infection Prevention and Control Program
• Knowledge of Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes and other Congregate Living Settings, and ambulatory care programs an asset
• 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