Infection Control and Prevention Lead- IPAC

Location : Huron Region, Ontario

Position : Infection Control and Prevention Lead

Southbridge Care Homes is currently looking to add a caring, passionate, and enthusiastic Infection Prevention and Control Lead to join our community, who can serve our lovely residents to keep them safe, healthy, and happy.

Reporting to the Regional IPAC Specialist, the IPAC Lead will be a resident safety expert who leads the planning, development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of system-wide improvements in infection prevention and serves as a role model to promote the goals of the IPAC program within the context of the vision and mission of Southbridge.

You will facilitate change through interpretation and application of standards and provide best practice recommendations with the ultimate goal of improving resident outcomes and preventing disease outbreaks.

As a Regional IPAC Lead, you will be accountable for :

• Coordination and implementation of infection prevention and control practices for the home;
• Participating in the planning of an infection surveillance program and leading the management of outbreaks in consultation with the local public health unit;
• Performing daily infection surveillance and developing the monthly surveillance report;
• Educating staff on the principles and practices of infection prevention and acting as a resource regarding infection prevention and control;
• Maintaining current vaccines for all residents and ensuring the home is in compliance with the infection control guidelines mandated by the Long-Term Care Homes Act;
• Planning, developing, delivering, and implementing all training / orientation for current and new employees in accordance with legislation and health care standards, and in consultation with the Leadership Committee;
• Regularly evaluating training programs to ensure the needs of the home are being met;
• Identifying and reporting safety hazards, conducting regular safety inspections, and following safe working practices and behavior;
• Providing expert guidance on facility design, maintenance, and construction projects;
• Leading the implementation of changes mandated by regulatory, accrediting, and licensing agencies (includes reporting communicable diseases to the local public health);
• Monitoring staff compliance with infection prevention guidelines regarding the disposal of sharps and biomedical waste, use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene practices, and providing reports to the Infection Prevention Committees;
• Analyzing infection trends, risk factors, and evaluating prevention and control strategies;
• Performing program assessment and making recommendations for correction and improvement;
• Leading the annual influenza vaccination campaign;
• Leading outbreak response efforts in coordination with the local public health unit;
• Conducting research and interpreting evidence-based literature in developing IPAC best practices, guidelines, tools, and resources.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications and skills :

• Completion of a Bachelor's Degree in a health-related field.
• Current Certification in Infection Control (CIC).
• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in infection control is required.
• Previous experience in long-term care as well as knowledge of applicable legislation is an asset.
• Experience and proficiency in the following :
• Resident care practice
• Microbiology and infectious diseases
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics
• Outbreak response

We would like to thank all applicants for your interest in working as part of our team! Only those applicants selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted.

Southbridge Care Homes welcomes those applicants with disability-related needs and those who need accommodation in the recruitment process.

Please provide notice of your need for accommodation to the hiring manager upon scheduling of an interview. To know more about Southbridge culture, please visit www.

southbridgecarehomes.com / careers .

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