Infection Prevention and Control

Company Biography
The County of Lambton is an urban-rural area in southwestern Ontario that is home to over 126,000 residents. The Corporation's seven divisions operate programs and services for the residents of Lambton County such as land ambulance, provincial offences court, three Long-Term Care Homes, 25 library branches, two museums, an art gallery, archives, local roadways, public health services, housing services, social services, building services and planning and development services. Lambton County is a community dedicated to economic growth, environmental stewardship and an enhanced quality of life through the provision of responsive and efficient services and collaborative efforts with its municipal and community partners.
Position Overview
The IPAC Lead is responsible for leading and coordination of the Infection Control Program for the Home. The IPAC Lead, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary IPAC team, implements required improvements to address any evaluation and/or audit findings as well as recommendations arising from the quality program for IPAC.
The IPAC Lead role includes surveillance, analysis and reporting of infections and communicable disease, education to employees, caregivers, Elders, volunteers, and families. The IPAC Lead is responsible for developing policies, procedures, and responses to infectious/communicable diseases in the Home. The IPAC Lead liaises with Public Health and any other clinical guiding organizations related to Infection Prevention and Control.

**Responsibilities**:
**Infection Control Program**:

- Chairs, plans, and coordinates the Interdisciplinary IPAC committee meetings (at least quarterly) and activities to implement that IPAC program.
- Managing and overseeing the IPAC Program.
- Implement required improvements to the IPAC program in response to changes in best practices, audits analysis, etc.
- Ensuring there is a hand hygiene program in place in accordance with the IPAC Standard for Long-Term Care Homes and (s.102(7) of the regulation)
- Auditing and overseeing the auditing of IPAC practices in the Home.
- Coordinate and lead planning, implementation, maintenance, and administration of any vaccination campaign activities, including reporting and data collection.
- N95 fit testing-ensuring completion and monitoring.
- Liaises with Lambton Public Health (LPH) regarding any communicable diseases, changes to best practices and education development.
- Plans and implements healthcare surge response when required.
- Participates in Pandemic Planning as part of the Long-Term Care Division Interdisciplinary IPAC Team and response process implementation, assisting other Homes when required.
- Liaises with LPH, participates on the Professional Advisory Committee, Elder Safety Committee and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
- Lead Outbreak and convene the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) at the outset of an outbreak and regularly through the outbreak. This may include attending the Home on weekends or outside of regular business hours.
- Lead Outbreak response in collaboration with LPH.
- Submits monthly Quarterly Improvement Statistics to the Quality Assurance Manager.
- Develop and contributes to the development of policies and Infection Control practices that ensure compliance following PIDAC recommendations.
- Identify and maintain an adequate inventory of required PPE and surveillance testing supplies for the Home.
- Assist in the development and updating of evidence informed Policies and Procedures in accordance with best practices guidelines related to IPAC.
- Investigate and assist with performance management of any Staff related to IPAC in the Home.

**Education**:

- Oversees the delivery of IPAC Education to all Staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors, and Elders.
- Ensure that in-service programs related to IPAC are planned, provided, and encourage continuing development of IPAC skills for all Staff.
- Educate Staff on IPAC best practice guidelines.
- Provide Staff Education/Huddles related to IPAC.
- Assist with education, orientation, and training of new employees.
- Provides education to Resident and Family Councils and essential caregivers as required.

**Surveillance**:

- Complete monthly reports - including data analysis and propose actions required related to Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) practices in the Home.
- Ensure completion of Resident Staff line listing and submission to LPH.
- Review Infection Disease surveillance results regularly to ensure Staff are conducting infectious disease surveillance appropriately and to ensure that appropriate action is being taken to respond to findings, using best practice guidelines.
- Reviewing the symptom screening gathered pursuant to subsection 102 (9) of the Regulations.
- At least quarterly, complete real time audits of Staff compliance with Infection and Control protocols, including but not limited to, hand hygiene, selection and donning and doffing of PPE and env