Infection Control Practitioner

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:
• 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 week ends 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, patient, 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 the 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

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
• Two years experience working in an Infection Prevention and Control Program
• 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
• 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
• Effective research skills including ability to construct effective studies involving statistical measures an asset
• Self-motivated , flexible and able to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Consistent and regular attendance required