Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Administrator, is responsible to act as a resource for infection prevention and control, participate in risk management and safety, provide education to health care providers and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, guidelines and standards. Additional responsibilities include linking with external agencies to participate in regional and community-wide infection prevention and control activities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: * Shares and disseminates Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) knowledge and expertise with health care professionals and the general public.

• Integrates surveillance (and/or testing) findings into formal plans in the facility.
• Establishes baseline infection rates and monitors trends.
• Performs daily surveillance, monitoring and follow ups on residents and resident contacts with current antibiotic-resistant organisms (AROs).
• Develops and reviews the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) program.
• Conducts infection prevention and control related audits on an ongoing/quarterly basis i.e., hand hygiene.
• Develops and implements Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) policies and procedures based on currently accepted best practices and legislative and/or program requirements.
• Participates in the development/ review of occupational health policies and procedures related to IPAC.
• Provides knowledge and advice regarding the value and role of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) function.
• Provides infection prevention and control recommendations for resident care practices, construction and design projects, environmental cleaning, and the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of equipment and instruments.
• Supports residents/families, administration, committees/ communities of practice in IPAC practices and knowledge.
• Communicates and provides resources and other supports needed to ensure appropriate practices are followed.
• Promotes and maintains strong linkages with community partners to promote consistent, effective infection prevention and control practices.
• Develops and teaches required educational materials for health care professionals, residents and the general public.
• Provides IPAC training and education focusing on:
• Basic, intermediate and advanced principles and practices in Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)
• Outbreak prevention and management
• Appropriate use of personal protective equipment
• Respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene
• Provides infection prevention and control orientation training for all new employees, and developments and implements ongoing in-service and online educational programs for employees, as required.
• Conducts outbreak investigations and management, utilizing fundamental epidemiological principles to identify contributing factors to reduce the risk of future occurrences.
• Attends education programs to enhance professional development and continually strives to keep current with best practices related to infection prevention and control.
• Performs other such related duties as may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

• Diploma or degree in a regulated Health Care Profession or related field including laboratory, epidemiology, or microbiology, and eligible for Certification in Infection Control through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology
• Demonstrated interest in infection prevention and control, including the commitment to ongoing Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) education and further eligible to obtain certification in infection control, if not currently certified
• Minimum three (3) years of relevant clinical experience, including long-term care

Skills/Abilities:

• Must be able to effectively direct and motivate personnel
• Proven experience working as a leader, mentor, preceptor, educator and problem solver with Health Care Professions and families Advocate
• Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor others
• Ability to adapt professionally and efficiently to changing conditions and priorities
• Must be at a basic skill level in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software
• Proficiency in software such as PCC, Clinical documentation
• Must be competent within the meaning of the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act

Assets:

• Knowledge of long term care and gerontology
• Completion or currently enrolled in a recognized Infection Prevention and Control program
• Certification in infection control from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must undergo a successful Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination at point of conditional offer
• Prior to commencing employment, will be required to review and attest/affirm to all Pioneer Ridge Staff Immunization Policies
• May be required to travel to various work locations and provide own transportation
• Must have successfully undergone a "two step" Tuberculosis skin test within the 12 months prior to employment
• Prior to commencing employment, must undergo a successful Offence & Professional Misconduct Declaration Process
• Must successfully complete all mandatory training as required by the Corporation on an annual basis

General Information:

As an equal opportunity employer, the City of Thunder Bay encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority groups, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS CODE: It is a contravention of the Human Rights Code of Ontario to discriminate on the basis of: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, age, record of offences, gender identity or gender expression. Therefore, a resume submitted to the City must not include references to any of the above characteristics. Do not include:

• Photos
• Any certificates that have photo identification
• Driver\xe2\x80\x99s licences
• Police records checks

Note: The above documentation will be requested by the Human Resources & Division should you be the successful applicant. If a Criminal Record Check is required it will be requested by Human Resources should you be the successful applicant. Please do not submit your Criminal Record Check with your application.

ACCOMMODATION: Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for all parts of the recruitment process.

PRIVACY: Personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, c. 302, as amended, and will be used to determine eligibility for employment. Questions about this collection of personal information should be directed to the Human Resources & Corporate Safety Division, 125 Syndicate Ave Suite 42, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 6H8, Telephone: 625-3866

City of Thunder Bay