Infection Control Support Associate

Welcome to a World of opportunities with us

Quality care is our top priority. Caring for people is at the core of everything we do.

Extendicare isn’t so much a workplace as it is a care-place.

When you choose to build your career with Extendicare, you’re joining a team dedicated to making a difference. By focusing our energy on enriching the lives of our residents every day, we transform both the quality of their lives and the quality of our own work experiences.

If you have a passion for caring, turn it into a rewarding career with Extendicare.

Qualifications:

• Baccalaureate degree in a health-related field with focus in direct clinical care, microbiology, epidemiology, or public health. Completion of an IPAC Canada endorsed Infection Prevention and Control Course. Successful candidate will be expected to complete course within 1 year of hire if not already completed.
• Certification in Infection Control from Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Incorporated preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a clinical health care setting, OR experience and training in microbiology and infectious diseases, epidemiology, or diagnostics.
• Previous work experience in the field of IP&C preferred.

Other:

• Knowledge of the key roles and responsibilities of IP&C.
• Knowledge of the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA)
• Knowledge of microbiology, infectious disease, applied epidemiology and biostatistics
• Demonstrated knowledge of IP&C competencies.

• Demonstrated ability to function effectively and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team to achieve identified objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a self-directed, independent manner with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, interpret and respond appropriately to multiple concurrent activities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in the use of relevant computer software applications, including Microsoft Office.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Fast paced environment.
• Contact with the public, patients/residents/clients and other members of the healthcare team.
• May be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time
• Depending on site/organization, may be required to provide IP&C services at multiple sites, provide cross-coverage for IP&C colleagues.
• May encounter individuals with aggressive behaviour.

Licences, Registrations:

• Current registration in good standing with professional licensing body required.
• Certification in Infection Control from Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Incorporated preferred.
• Obtaining and maintaining membership with IPAC Canada required as a condition of employment.

Main Function

Under the direction of site leadership and receiving IP&C clinical leadership and direction from the Regional IP&C LTC Leads and working within the Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Direction of the hiring organization, the ICP performs key responsibilities including:

• Implements, monitors, and evaluates site’s adherence to provincial and regional IP&C policies, procedures, and operational directives and implements actions to ensure consistency of practice and compliance.
• Directs staff and oversees timely implementation of recommended IP&C measures.
• Communicates and collaborates regarding IP&C issues with site management and regional IP&C leadership.
• Ensures compliance with established provincial and regional infection control surveillance in LTC.
• Provides IP&C guidance including: routine practices and additional precautions, sterilization, disinfection and cleaning processes, outbreak management, construction, renovation and maintenance activities including preventative measures for resident safety, and consultation with workplace health safety personnel on staff issues associated with prevention and control of communicable disease transmission.

Major Responsibilities: Clinical/Infection Prevention and Control

• Performs ongoing risk assessment of site programs and practices as they relate to IP&C. Escalates issues to Regional IP&C LTC Lead(s) and site leadership as appropriate.
• Provides expert IP&C knowledge and direction to facility staff and leadership.
• Ensures implementation, compliance and monitoring of all IP&C policies, procedures and operational directives as directed by the Regional IP&C LTC Lead(s).
• Assists staff in decision making and problem solving as it relates to IP&C.
• Communicates IP&C concerns or issues as they relate to individual residents and families. Promotes the practice of IP&C through ongoing communication and visibility in resident, staff, and public areas.

Responds appropriately to diagnostic/lab results of epidemiologic or public health significance.

• Assesses clinical status and infectious disease diagnoses to determine appropriate IP&C measures.
• Identifies possible outbreaks, initiates appropriate investigation, and directs IP&C measures in collaboration with stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Advises on and monitors IP&C assessment of residents on Additional Precautions.
• Ensures timely outbreak management and control measures and related communication and site support. Adheres to established regional and provincial processes.
• Collaborates with site/facility leadership and staff to conduct IP&C audits and risk assessments and establish risk reduction strategies as appropriate.
• Provides information and direction on IP&C to site staff as required/requested.
• Reviews content of other program’s educational material to ensure IP&C content is accurate.
• Identifies Occupational Health & Safety IP&C safety matters, as it relates to staff and notifies Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health/site leadership.

Technology

• Utilizes available software to develop and maintain electronic records of all surveillance activities.
• Utilizes available electronic resources appropriately to gather, validate, and document IP&C data; develop, generate, and distribute IP&C reports, documents and files; and communicate, maintain calendars, and prioritize tasks.

Performance Improvement and Implementation

• Implements IP&C improvement opportunities as directed by the Regional IP&C LTC Lead(s). Participates as a team member to plan, evaluate, implement and measure the success of quality improvement objectives at the site(s).

Professional Self Development

• Evaluates own professional needs, establishes personal goals, and is responsible for ongoing continuing education and professional development.
• Attends and participates in relevant education programs, conferences, and workshops to increase professional competency.
• Participates in IPAC Canada.
• Strives for IP&C certification following 1 year of practice (and re-certification every five years) through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
• Maintains competencies.

Safety

• Adheres to all safety and health regulations and safe work practices as per Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health.
• Identifies safety concerns to stakeholders as appropriate.
• Collaborates to rectify safety concerns with stakeholders as appropriate.
• Maintains competency with safety practices.

Other

• Complies with all relevant facility, regional, and provincial policies, procedures, standards, operational directives/procedures and other guidance documents.
• Provides cross coverage for IP&C positions within the hiring organization as required.
• Performs other duties and functions related to this job description not exceeding stated skills and capabilities as requested.

Extendicare is committed to ensuring that all employment practices are inclusive. As an organization, we are committed to providing and arranging accommodation for candidates upon request.

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