IPAC Lead

Infection Control and Prevention (IPAC) Lead

Status: Permanent

Department: Nithview - Tri-County Mennonite Homes

Nithview Community in New Hamburg is seeking an experienced IPAC Lead to join our team. The IPAC Lead will:

• Manage the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) program for Nithview Community through the involvement of multidisciplinary teams across all sites.
• Promote interdisciplinary health management of Infection Prevention and Control Program.
• Develop and deliver Infection Prevention and Control education in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team.
• Continuously evaluates and improves the IPC policies and practices following the Quality and Risk Management Program and Public Health (PH) direction.

Responsibilities:

Community Driven:

• The IPAC Lead develops positive relationships with all staff and builds an area of expertise in Infection Prevention and Control in the Homes.
• Liaises with Local Public Health Unit, IPAC hubs and other related health care facilities.
• Participate in the leadership team to understand, influence and integrate programs consistent with TCMH and its Accountability Framework.

Caring Service:

• Fosters a culture of awareness related to Infection Prevention and Control principles of practice.
• Ensures measures are in place to prevent the transmission of infections within our homes.
• Ensure surveillance and screening program is in place for individuals in care and staff. Review surveillance data, monitor for infection trends.
• Coordinates annual flu clinics and immunization programs.
• Develops and implements best practices in delivery of Infection Prevention and Control, including policy revision.
• Leads all Outbreak management activities following the Outbreak checklist framework form to ensure all IPAC measures are in place at the time of suspected/confirmed Outbreak.
• Liaises with Public Health department during Outbreaks.
• Monitors, in collaboration with DOC/ADOC/ED, all persons in care placed on isolation and offers support to the team Leaders as needed.
• Ensure daily outbreak huddles occur during an outbreak, documentation including minutes and follow up actions are recorded.
• Completes post outbreak analysis and trending.
• Establishes and leads the quarterly Infection Prevention and Control committee.

Coordinates IPAC annual program evaluation and ensures written records are kept to include the date of the evaluation, the names of the participants in the evaluation, a summary of the changes made and the date of that those changes were implemented.

• Provide coaching and mentoring to staff in a positive and supportive manner regarding Infection Prevention and Control practices.
• Maintains a professional relationship with all employees at TCMH including working closely with other members of the leadership team.
• Provides recommendation to SLT on effective management of Infection Prevention and Control Program.
• Develops and monitors, in collaboration with Departmental Managers, all Infection Prevention and Control programs for effectiveness and efficiency.
• Coordinates Occupational Health and Safety for staff members related to infection transmission (follows up with staff, reports to OH&S Committee, MOL and others as required).
• Participates in OH&S Committee meetings and reports on IPAC statistics as required.
• Works in collaboration with Manager of Health and Safety to organize and complete staff mask fit testing.
• Works in collaboration with the Directors of Care and ED's to implement effective Infection Prevention and Control education program.
• Creates content to assist with educating persons in care, team members and visitors. Assist with new staff, students' orientation on safe IPAC practices.

Innovative Approaches

• Keeps abreast of new and best practices through research and participation in community networking groups. Report on regional data trends and actions taken at regional levels.
• Explores new and innovative methodologies related to Infection Prevention and Control practices and effectively facilitate change.
• Risk management activities include monitoring all Infection Prevention and Control activities, gathering and analyzing data, and benchmarking against the industry.
• Ensures that the symptoms indicating the presence of infections are analyzed daily to detect the presence of infection and reviewed at least once a month to detect trends for the purpose of reducing the incidence of infections and outbreaks.
• Identifies areas of improvement based on trend analysis and benchmarking data in keeping with the Quality and Risk Management Program.
• Oversees the IPAC auditing program to ensure compliance with proper PPE use, isolation, cleaning and disinfectant procedures and other IPAC measures as required.
• Analyze research and implement evidence base practice into Policy and Procedures development in both clinical and nonclinical practices.
• Ensure the evaluation of the Infection Prevention and Control Program is completed annually.
• Develops strategic planning activities for TCMH in relation to Infection Prevention and Control.
• Work in accordance with TCMH Health and Safety Policies and Procedures and in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently and self-directed. Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills; MS Office Suite, Excel and Point Click Care.
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example.
• Demonstrates understanding of continuous quality improvement principles and tools.
• Effectively uses empathy in interactions with others and demonstrates behaviours consistent with TCMH Mission, Vision and Values.

• Adheres to the budget for supplies needed for Infection Prevention and Control Program

• Ability to work independently and self-directed. Excellent organizational skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills; MS Office Suite, Excel and Point Click Care.
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example.
• Demonstrates understanding of continuous quality improvement principles and tools.

Effectively uses empathy in interactions with others and demonstrates behaviours consistent with TCMH Mission, Vision and Values

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Good understanding of adult learning principles and teaching methods to facilitate learning.
• Minimum 1 year, recent experience in long-term care in Infection Prevention and Control.

Required Professional Designation/Certificate:

• Post-secondary degree in relevant health science or related discipline.
• Registered Practical Nurse is preferred.
• Current registration with the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, or willing to obtain
• (CIC) required or a commitment to complete the certificate within the first 2 years.

• Completion of an Infection Prevention and Control Canada endorsed IPAC course

Other Requirements:

Adheres to all legislation required as follows (but not limited to):

• The Regulated Health Professions Act
• Healthcare Consent Act
• Public Health guidelines
• The Fixing Long Term Care Act
• The Pharmacy Regulations Act
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act

Tri-County Mennonite Homes does not require COVID-19 vaccination as a part of the onboarding process, however TCMH continues to strongly recommend "up-to-date" COVID-19 vaccinations.

Tri-County Mennonite Homes is a leader in providing services to seniors and adults with developmental disabilities. With dedicated staff and volunteers, we operate three divisions: Greenwood Court in Stratford, Nithview Community in New Hamburg, and Aldaview Services in New Hamburg. Our mission is "Making Every Day Matter".

Tri-County Mennonite Homes is pleased to accommodate individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), within our recruitment process. If you require accommodation at any time throughout the recruitment process, please speak with our Human Resources Consultant.

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