Infection Prevention and Control

**Home**:Southbridge Pinewood

**Location**:Thunder Bay, ON

**Position**:Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lead

Southbridge Care Homes are currently looking to add a caring, passionate, and enthusiastic Infection Prevention and Control Lead to join our community, who can serve our lovely residents, to keep them safe, healthy, and happy.

**As an IPAC Lead you will be accountable for **
- Coordination and implementation of infection prevention and control practices for the home;
- Participate in the planning of an infection surveillance program and lead the management of outbreaks in consultation with the local public health unit;
- Perform daily infection surveillance and develop the monthly surveillance report;
- Educate staff on the principles and practices of infection prevention and act as a resource regarding infection prevention and control;
- Maintain current vaccines for all residents; ensure the home is in compliance with the infection control guidelines mandated by the Long-Term Care Homes Act;
- Plan, develop, deliver and implement all training/orientation for current and new employees in accordance with legislation and health care standards, and in consultation with the Leadership Committee;
- Regularly evaluate training programs to ensure the needs of the home is being met;
- Identify and report safety hazards, conduct regular safety inspections and follow safe working practices and behavior;
- Provide expert guidance on facility design, maintenance, and construction projects;
- Lead the implementation of changes mandated by regulatory, accrediting, and licensing agencies (includes reporting communicable diseases to the local public health);
- Monitor staff compliance with infection prevention guidelines regarding the disposal of sharps and biomedical waste, use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene practices and provides reports to the Infection Prevention Committees;
- Analyze infection trends, risk factors, and evaluate prevention and control strategies;
- Perform program assessment and make recommendations for correction and improvement;
- Lead the annual influenza vaccination campaign;
- Lead outbreak response efforts in coordination with the local public health unit;
- Conduct research and interpret evidence-based literature in developing IPAC best practices, guidelines, tools, and resources.

**Qualifications**
- RN/RPN degree or diploma.
- Bachelor’s degree in other healthcare related field, e.g., Microbiology, Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Science, Medicine or Occupational Health.
- Certified in infection control CIC or a-IPC.
- Willingness to be enrolled in the certification program within 6 months of accepting the role and commitment to be certified within one year.
- A minimum 1 to 2 years of experience in infection control is required.
- Previous experience in long-term care as well as knowledge of applicable legislation is an asset.

**Required IPAC specific education (before or after in role)**:

- IPAC leads must have completed any of the IPAC Canada endorsed infection prevention and control courses.
- IPAC Canada's Online Essentials in Infection Prevention and Control Course
- Centennial College, Toronto Basic Infection Prevention and Control Program (online)
- Centennial College Preventing and Controlling Infections in Non-Acute Care Settings
- Queen's University, Kingston Basic Infection Prevention and Control Program
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver Basic Infection Control Course
- Bay River College, Infection Prevention and Control Program

Interested applicants should send their resumes through this posting here. We would like to thank all applicants for your interest in working as part of our team Only those applicants selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted.

**In Ontario, Extendicare, ParaMed Home Health Care, and affiliated organizations including our partner homes in Extendicare Assist accommodate the needs of job applicants throughout its recruitment and selection processes in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Accommodation needs must be provided in advance. To discuss your needs, please contact the individual noted in the posting.**

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