Infection Prevention and Control

**Division**:
Long Term Care Homes

**Important Notices & Amendments**:
**The positions available are**:
2 positions at Linhaven Home in St. Catharines
1 position at Upper Canada Lodge in Niagara-on-the-Lake
1 position at Meadows of Dorchester in Niagara Falls
1 position at Rapelje Lodge in Welland
1 position at Woodlands of Sunset in Welland
1 position at Gilmore Lodge in Fort Erie
1 position at Northland Pointe in Port Colborne

**Temporary Duration**:
All positions have an approximate duration of 18 months.

**About Us**:
Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

Please note that the Niagara Region requires that all newly hired employees are to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of being hired and provide proof of full vaccination, or provide proof of a bona fide medical or Human Rights Code exemption on a form issued from and approved by Niagara Region.

**Job Summary**:
Reporting to the Manager Clinical Practice, the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Program Manager is responsible to implement, oversee and maintain the Long Term Care (LTC) Home’s infection prevention and control program with an interdisciplinary team. This role also ensures the delivery of infection prevention and control education and enforcement to all staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors and residents, auditing of practices in the home, monitoring surveillance and managing outbreaks in the home. The IPAC Program Manager will ensure the home is in compliance with all relevant legislation and best practices such as Public Health Ontario, Ministry Long Term Care, Ministry of Labour and Accreditation Canada.

**Education**:

- Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Nursing or other related discipline.
- Current Certification from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) or evidence of enrollment and plan to complete within 3 years
- Completion of an Infection Prevention and Control course endorsed by IPAC Canada, CHICA or APIC-USA (preferred)

Knowledge
- Minimum of 3 years recent experience working in infectious diseases and outbreak management
- Knowledge of Public Health Regulations, Registered Health Professionals Act, Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC), Long-Term Care Act and Regulations, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and privacy laws
- Proficiency with PointClickCare (eHCR) an asset
- Demonstrated clinical knowledge and skills in the care of the geriatric population as well as training in dementia awareness
- Adult Education Certificate is preferred

**Responsibilities**:
**_ Managing the infection prevention and control program for the LTC Home (20% of time)_**:

- Supervise the delivery of infection prevention and control education to all staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors and residents.
- Lead the Immunization and screening program for residents and immunization program for staff.
- Ensure screening measures are in place.
- Coordinate the ordering, inventory management, distribution and appropriate and safe use of PPE for the home.
- Ensure that there is in place a hand hygiene program in accordance with any standard or protocol issued by the Ministry LTC Director.
- Participate in the annual review of the outbreak management plan.
- Screen and track antibiotic resistant organism upon admission and readmission to the homes.
- Monitor N95 fit testing for all staff and ensures access to fit-testing, when required
- Oversee and track the IPAC training and education program for staff and volunteers required by the Act and Regulation that meets requirements set in the IPAC Standards

**_Conducting regular infection disease surveillance (20% of time)_**:

- Audit daily and monthly screening results to determine whether any immediate action is required.
- Provide training to staff on how to monitor for the presence of infection in residents and ensure surveillance is performed by staff on every shift to identify cases of healthcare acquired infections, devi