IPAC Manager

Job Description 

Under the direction of site leadership and receiving IPAC clinical leadership and direction
from the Regional IPAC LTC Leads and working within the Mission, Vision, Values and
Strategic Direction of the hiring organization, the ICP performs key responsibilities
including:
Key Responsibilities:

• Contact with the public, patients/residents/clients and other members of the healthcare
team.

• May be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Fast paced environment.

• Depending on site/organization, may be required to provide IPAC services at multiple
sites, provide cross-coverage for IPAC colleagues.

• May encounter individuals with aggressive behaviour.

• Implements, monitors, and evaluates site's adherence to provincial and regional IPAC
policies, procedures, and operational directives and implements actions to ensure
consistency of practice and compliance.

• Directs staff and oversees timely implementation of recommended IPAC measures.

• Communicates and collaborates regarding IPAC issues with site management and
regional IPAC leadership.

• Ensures compliance with established provincial and regional infection control surveillance
in LTC.

• Provides IPAC guidance including: routine practices and additional precautions,
sterilization, disinfection and cleaning processes, outbreak management, construction,
renovation and maintenance activities including preventative measures for resident
safety and consultation with workplace health safety personnel on staff issues associated
with prevention and control of communicable disease transmission.

• Performs ongoing risk assessment of site programs and practices as they relate to IPAC.

• Escalates issues to Regional IPAC LTC Lead(s) and site leadership as appropriate

• Provides expert IPAC knowledge and direction to facility staff and leadership.

• Ensures implementation, compliance and monitoring of all IPAC policies, procedures and
operational directives as directed by the Regional IPAC LTC Lead(s).

• Assists staff in decision making and problem solving as it relates to IPAC.

• Communicates IPAC concerns or issues as they relate to individual residents and
families.

• Promotes the practice of IPAC through ongoing communication and visibility in resident,
staff, and public areas.
• Responds appropriately to diagnostic/lab results of epidemiologic or public health
significance.

• Assesses clinical status and infectious disease diagnoses to determine appropriate IPAC
measures.

• Identifies possible outbreaks, initiates appropriate investigation, and directs IPAC
measures in collaboration with stakeholders in a timely manner

• Advices on and monitors IPAC assessment of residents on Additional Precautions.

• Ensures timely outbreak management and control measures and related communication
and site support.

• Adheres to established regional and provincial processes.

• Collaborates with site/facility leadership and staff to conduct IPAC audits and risk
assessments and establish risk reduction strategies as appropriate.

• Provides information and direction on IP&C to site staff as required/requested.

• Reviews content of other program's educational material to ensure IPAC content is
accurate.

• Identifies Occupational Health & Safety IPAC safety matters, as it relates to staff and
notifies Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health/site leadership.

• Utilizes available software to develop and maintain electronic records of all surveillance
activities.

• Utilizes available electronic resources appropriately to gather, validate, and document
IP&C data; develop, generate, and distribute IPAC reports, documents and files; and
communicate, maintain calendars, and prioritize tasks.

• Performance Improvement and Implementation

• Implements IPAC improvement opportunities as directed by the Regional IPAC LTC
Lead(s).

• Participates as a team member to plan, evaluate, implement and measure the success of
quality improvement objectives at the site(s).

• Evaluates own professional needs, establish personal goals, and is responsible for on -
going continuing education and professional development.

• Attends and participates in relevant education programs, conferences, and workshops to
increase professional competency.

• Participates in IPAC Canada.

• Strives for IPAC certification following 1 year of practice (and re -certification every five
years) through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

• Maintains competencies.

• Adheres to all safety and health regulations and safe work practices as per Occupational
and Environmental Safety and Health.

• Identifies safety concerns to stakeholders as appropriate.

• Collaborates to rectify safety concerns with stakeholders as appropriate.

• Maintains competency with safety practices.
• Complies with all relevant facility, regional, and provincial policies, procedures,
standards, operational directives/procedures and other guidance documents.

• Provides cross coverage for IPAC positions within the hiring organization as required.

• Performs other duties and functions related to this job description not exceeding stated
skills and capabilities as requested.
Qualifications:

• Baccalaureate degree in a health-related field with focus in direct clinical care,
microbiology, epidemiology, or public health.

• Registration with College of Nurses of Ontario in good standing.

• Registration and ongoing membership in professional associations

• Completion of an IPAC Canada endorsed Infection Prevention and Control Course.
Successful candidate will be expected to complete course within 6 months of hire if not
already completed.

• Certification in Infection Control from Certification Board of Infection Control and
Epidemiology, Incorporated preferred.

• Minimum 2 years' experience in a clinical health care setting, OR experience and training
in microbiology and infectious diseases, epidemiology, or diagnostics.

• Previous work experience in the field of IPAC preferred.

• Current registration in good standing with professional licensing body required.

• Obtaining and maintaining membership with IPAC Canada required as a condition of
employment.

• Knowledge of the key roles and responsibilities of IPAC

• Knowledge of the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA

• Knowledge of microbiology, infectious disease, applied epidemiology and biostatistic

• Demonstrated knowledge of IPAC competencies

• Demonstrated ability to function effectively and collaboratively as a member of a
multidisciplinary team to achieve identified objectives

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

• Demonstrated ability to function effectively in a self-directed, independent manner with
limited supervision

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, interpret and respond appropriately to multiple
concurrent activities

• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in the use of relevant computer software applications,
including Microsoft Office.

Time Type:

Full time

When you choose to build your career with Extendicare, you're joining a team dedicated to making a difference. By focusing our energy on enriching the lives of our residents every day, we transform both the quality of their lives and the quality of our own work experiences. 

If you have a passion for caring, turn it into a rewarding career with Extendicare 

Extendicare and affiliated organizations including our partner homes in Extendicare Assist, accommodate the needs of job applicants throughout its recruitment and selection processes upon request.

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