Infection Control Practitioner

Supports the Infection Prevention and Control Program for Hamilton Health Sciences at 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

• Regulated Health Care Professional with current registration with their professional body

• Knowledge of acute, 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