Infection Control Practitioner

**Please note: this position provides rotating on-call coverage and works flexible hours when needed (e.g. during active outbreak periods)

The Manager, Infection Prevention and Control is currently seeking an Infection Control Practitioner. The purpose of the position is to administer, within a mental healthcare hospital setting, an infection prevention and control program, and to provide health advisory, nursing and preventive health services to patients, staff, volunteers and visitors.

Key Accountabilities:

- Provides expert knowledge and guidance in Infection Prevention and Control and epidemiology;
- Developing, delivering and evaluating infection prevention and control education programs;
- Reviewing, and updating, infection prevention and control policies to align with best practices, legislation and reporting requirements; evaluating the effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures; providing infection prevention and control surveillance; arranging education (newsletter, seminars, speakers) on infection prevention and control, providing education for patients, staff, volunteers and visitors;
- Maintaining up-to-date outbreak communication manuals;
- Perform daily program rounding and maintain a strong physical presence on all programs/units to conduct active IPAC surveillance and mitigation strategies;
- Documenting Infection Prevention and Control consultations and recommendations on the patient chart;
- Collaborates with all departments and services to ensure compliance with applicable Infection Prevention and Control practice;
- Monitoring, evaluating and reporting communicable diseases and follow-up activities in the electronic incident reporting system and infection prevention and control measures put in place to mitigate the spread of infection at Waypoint;
- Recording, analyzing and evaluating facility infection types, rates, numbers and sources; conducting epidemiologic investigations, monitoring, managing and preparing written reports on all communicable disease outbreaks, including issues identified for improvement; identifying risk to patients, staff, volunteers and visitors;
- Liaising with and/or reporting infection prevention and control issues to the Simcoe Muskoka
- District Health Unit, Ministry of Labour, bargaining agents, health care facilities, laboratories, staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, and visitors to consult and inform about infection prevention and control issues or associated risks, including potential communicability;
- Analyzing incident data to prepare reports regarding infection/ communicable disease trends at Waypoint; and public reporting;
- Collaborating with the Occupational Health Nurse with respect to health promotion and disease prevention including mitigating the risk/spread of infection/ communicable diseases within staff and volunteers working at Waypoint

Requirements/Qualifications:

- You must meet the requirements of our COVID-19 Immunization Policy by providing proof of full vaccination, or a request and receipt of an accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including a medical exemption
- Current registration as a Regulated Healthcare Professional in good standing preferred. Post-secondary education at the Bachelor’s degree level in a healthcare related field required. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) designation required.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience as an infection prevention and control practitioner
- Demonstrated experience with best practices guidelines for infectious disease prevention and control, microbiology and epidemiological principles in order to provide infection prevention and control consultations consistent with best practices. -General medical theory and practice, infection risk management, health promotion and health education/teaching activities
- Results oriented work ethic to work independently and undertake tasks needed to accomplish work objectives and deliver quality, consistent and timely results
- Demonstrated leadership, conflict resolution, interpersonal and organizational skills
- Proven written and verbal communication skills
- Proven ability to adapt readily to change
- Models and promotes core ethical practice, Waypoint Values (Caring, Respect, Accountability, Innovation), and reflects an optimistic and positive attitude
- Preference for proficiency in French/English language skills

How do I apply?