Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator

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**City of Thunder Bay** provides exceptional quality of life to those who live, work, and play in Thunder Bay - a culturally vibrant, economically diverse community with a metro population of over 120,000. Located on the north shore of Lake Superior, under the protective watch of the Sleeping Giant, Thunder Bay is rich in people and resources, and connects Northwestern Ontario to the world. We value our high quality of life and promote a clean, green, beautiful, and healthy community that provides economic opportunity, respects diversity, and provides affordable and safe neighbourhoods that are accessible to all.

The City of Thunder Bay is a place where art, culture and nature come together

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**Job Description**:
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***Under the direction of the Administrator, is responsible to act as a resource for infection prevention and control, participate in risk management and safety, provide education to health care providers and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, guidelines and standards. Additional responsibilities include linking with external agencies to participate in regional and community-wide infection prevention and control activities.

**MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Shares and disseminates Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) knowledge and expertise with health care professionals and the general public.
- Integrates surveillance (and/or testing) findings into formal plans in the facility.
- Establishes baseline infection rates and monitors trends.
- Performs daily surveillance, monitoring and follow ups on residents and resident contacts with current antibiotic-resistant organisms (AROs).
- Develops and reviews the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) program.
- Conducts infection prevention and control related audits on an ongoing/quarterly basis i.e., hand hygiene.
- Develops and implements Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) policies and procedures based on currently accepted best practices and legislative and/or program requirements.
- Participates in the development/ review of occupational health policies and procedures related to IPAC.
- Provides knowledge and advice regarding the value and role of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) function.
- Provides infection prevention and control recommendations for resident care practices, construction and design projects, environmental cleaning, and the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of equipment and instruments.
- Supports residents/families, administration, committees/ communities of practice in IPAC practices and knowledge.
- Communicates and provides resources and other supports needed to ensure appropriate practices are followed.
- Promotes and maintains strong linkages with community partners to promote consistent, effective infection prevention and control practices.
- Develops and teaches required educational materials for health care professionals, residents and the general public.
- Provides IPAC training and education focusing on:

- Basic, intermediate and advanced principles and practices in Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)
- Outbreak prevention and management
- Appropriate use of personal protective equipment
- Respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene
- Provides infection prevention and control orientation training for all new employees, and developments and implements ongoing in-service and online educational programs for employees, as required.
- Conducts outbreak investigations and management, utilizing fundamental epidemiological principles to identify contributing factors to reduce the risk of future occurrences.
- Attends education programs to enhance professional development and continually strives to keep current with best practices related to infection prevention and control.
- Performs other such related duties as may be assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education/Experience**:

- Diploma or degree in a regulated Health Care Profession or related field including laboratory, epidemiology, or microbiology, and eligible for Certification in Infection Control through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology
- Demonstrated interest in infection prevention and control, including the commitment to ongoing Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) education and further eligible to obtain certification in infection control, if not currently certified
- Minimum three (3) years of relevant clinical experience, including long-term care

**Skills/Abilities**:

- Must be able to effectively direct and motivate personnel
- Proven experience working as a leader, mentor, preceptor, educator and problem solver with Health Care Professions and families Advocate
- Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor others
- Ability to adapt professionally and efficiently to changing conditions and priorities
- Must be at a basic skill level in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software
- Proficiency in software suc