Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lead - RN

“How do you bring kindness to others every day?”

Join us in our journey of kindness – our Kind era – where compassion is our language, and kindness is our legacy. We are committed to nurturing a culture of kindness that flourishes within our team. Our valued team members are the heart of our mission and their well-being directly impacts the lives of those in our care.

The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Lead reports to the Director of Care and is responsible to ensure that there is an organized infection prevention and control program that meets regulatory requirements and is in line with Provincial Infectious Disease Advisory Committee (PIDAC) standards.

Wage Rate:
The starting salary rate is $85000/Yearly

Vacancy:
This is an existing vacancy.

Responsibilities:

• Review daily infection control surveillance for trends and potential spread,
• Co-Chair the Infection Prevention and Control/Outbreak Management Team, maintaining attendance records and minutes of Outbreak meetings and circulating to members and support team,
• Coordinate influenza and COVID Booster clinics for both team members and residents,
• The Clinical DOC and Infection Prevention and Control Leader provides direct leadership and supervision of RNs, RPNs and PSWs and implements and oversees infection prevention and control practices that promote the safety of residents, team members, and physicians,
• Visit and review all departments to ensure adherence to infection prevention and control standards,
• Complete regular PPE and hand hygiene audits as per schedule,
• The Clinical DOC and Infection Prevention and Control Leader provides direct leadership and supervision of RNs, RPNs and PSWs and implements and oversees infection prevention and control practices that promote the safety of residents, team members, and physicians,
• Compile and review monthly infection reports and prepare statistical data for review at the Quality Team and Infection Prevention and Control quarterly meetings,
• Present data analysis and trending to the Leadership Team and Professional Advisory Committee and to OH&S, as well as sit on this committee,
• Develop and implement effective surveillance and reporting systems ensuring daily infection surveillance tool is being completed; identify trends and any corrective actions to be taken,
• Make recommendations concerning environmental sanitation in the Home,
• Follow guidelines for reporting communicable diseases to the appropriate government agencies,
• Assist team members in the prevention and spread of infection in the Home by supervising the set up and maintenance of routine practices and other infection prevention and control related practices,
• Promote team member awareness of the purposes and objectives of the IPAC program,
• Demonstrate within the team a relaxed manner and a skill in ‘going with the flow’ emphasizing people’s individual needs and not tasks and routines while ensuring work requirements are met,
• Responsible for recruitment and hiring of team members (RNs, RPNs, PSWs),
• Manages performance and addresses performance as appropriate for RNs, RPNs and PSWs,
• In collaboration with the DOC assists with the completion of team members probationary and annual performance reviews of all nursing team members,
• Assists in conducting workplace investigations,
• Responsible for progressive discipline (RNs, RPNs, PSWs),
• Assist with compiling quarterly infection control meeting agenda and inviting public health office to attend meetings,
• Coordinate and provide ongoing education to team members on new emerging infectious diseases and organisms and monitor team member adherence to protocols such as proper hygiene, isolation, screening and immunization,
• Audit hand hygiene, PPE and other IPAC audits in the Home; present data to team members, management and the health and safety team; facilitate corrective action as needed,
• Member of the Health and Safety Committee,
• Ensure communication of the infection control data through postings, etc in the home for residents, visitors and team member awareness,
• Participate in infection control education events,
• Conduct infection control week activity in the home.
• Any and all other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

The qualifications needed to join our family are as follows:

• Registered Nurse (RN) with a current Certificate of Registration from the College of Nurses of Ontario, in good Current Certificate of Competence with the College of Nurses of Ontario as Registered Nurse or a Registered Nurse registered with a regulatory authority in a Canadian jurisdiction, other than Ontario, and holds in that jurisdiction the equivalent of a certificate of registration authorizing independent practice in Ontario as of right exemption Bill 60
• Current Non-Acute Care Infection Control Professional (NAC ICP) certification
• Certification from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) or a commitment to complete within 2 years of employment
• Minimum of 2 years experience in infection control in the Long Term Care or Acute Care sector required
• Member of National Infection Control Association (IPAC Canada) preferred
• Training and experience in Quality Improvement is preferred
• Knowledge of epidemiological principles, statistics and microbiology and the ability to integrate this knowledge into clinical practice would be a significant asset.
• Demonstrates skill in computer databases (use of spreadsheets, Word, PowerPoint, internet and literature searches, e-mail).
• Demonstrates effective leadership, communication and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work in COVID-19 environment
• Need to be flexible with hours if required
• Current CPR and First Aid is required
• Solid understanding of adult learning principles and teaching methods to facilitate learning
• Ability to organize, plan, and work independently
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to embrace various skills from the team to maximize the potential to enhance the well-being of all individuals
• Must have a clear vulnerable sector screen, no older than 6 months, TB test results less than 6 months old, must be able to provide three supervisory reference

What do we offer you?

• Competitive wages
• Employee perks
• Support for personal and professional growth
• Employee Benefits
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Matching RRSP contribution

We appreciate all applicants' interest, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

We are committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity in the workplace, and we welcome applications from all persons. Our organization takes the accessibility needs of employees and candidates with disabilities into account during the position summary review process. Employees and candidates are required to notify their Director/Manager/Supervisor or Hiring Manager if they have any accessibility needs, and the organization will work with the employee to address them.