IPAC Coordinator

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Perley Health is a unique and innovative community that empowers Seniors and Veterans to live life to the fullest. Home to more than 600 Seniors and Veterans in long-term care and in independent apartments, Perley Health provides a growing number of clinical, therapeutic and recreational services to residents, tenants and people from across the region.

One of the largest and most progressive long-term care homes in Ontario, Perley Health is also a centre for research, education, and clinical innovation. Our Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care conducts and shares the practical research needed to improve care. Future caregivers come here to study and to acquire hands-on skills and experience.

PerleyHealth's values are brought to life each day by our over 800 employees. And more than 400 regular volunteers connect us closely with the community. Together, we improve the well-being of Canada's aging population.

We are embarking on a multi-year growth strategy, and are seeking an experienced

Infection Prevention and Control

(IPAC) Coordinator Position

Temporary Full-Time (1 Year)

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Manager of Infection Prevention and control (IPAC), the Infection Prevention & Control Coordinator will support the strategic goals and objectives of the corporate Infection Prevention and Control Program. This includes surveillance, analysis and reporting of infections and communicable diseases, educating employees and residents, assisting with the development of policies and procedures related to infection control.

Assists the Manager as a resource person to all departments in matters relating to Infection Control & Prevention. Contributes to the development of policies and procedures to meet Provincial requirements, Public Health Department and Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) recommendations, and Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) legislation as well as other relevant regulations or standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Assists management with education, orientation and training of employees as well as auditing of the home to ensure compliance with infection control protocols and environmental cleaning practices according to PIDAC best practice guidelines and the Fixing- Long Term Care Act, 2021 (the Act).
  • Reinforces policy and practice related to food handling, linen, waste management of potentially infectious material.
  • Audits environmental cleaning practices and infection control protocols.
  • Collect and compiles data to evaluate compliance with established practices and develops action plans to ensure compliance.
  • Provides training and education on proper hand hygiene, infection control techniques and environmental cleaning best practices.
  • Provide Infection Prevention and Control education regarding infection control topics to staff, volunteers, residents and families.
  • Attends and participates in quarterly Infection Prevention and Control Committee Meetings. Liaises with the Public Health department.
  • Tracks, validates data and proposes actions required related to infection control practices in the home. A member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
  • During the absence of the Manager reports outbreaks to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Public Health.
  • Administers FIT Testing across the home – this includes scheduling staff for testing, data entry and maintaining the Respiratory Protection Program policy.
  • Provides support to vaccination programs – ordering vaccines, monitoring the cold chain, reporting adverse events, scheduling clinics. Provides support to the Influenza vaccination program.
  • Assists in supporting communicable disease/ illness surveillance protocols. This would include training staff on the protocols and monitoring compliance to ensure protocols are followed when required. 
  • Assists in the implementation and enforcement of IPAC policies and processes – this involves scheduling and training staff on policies and processes.
  • Participates in Outbreak management and investigation - this would include monitoring compliance with staff in the use of PPE, completing intake forms and chart reviews, increase surveillance and reporting to the MOHLTC. Conduct audits using defined criteria – room audits, chart audits, hand hygiene audits, outbreak audits.
  • Participates in labour relations activities, including conducting investigations, identification and delivery of corrective actions in conjunction with employee supervisors, and the collection and reporting of employee performance data for performance management purposes, especially with respect to compliance with IPAC policies and procedures.
  • Other administrative tasks as assigned by the Manager, Infection Prevention and Control.
  • Ensures that the Occupational Health & Safety Act and other regulations or requirements are adhered to, as it pertains to the employees and infection control and prevention.
  • Ensures that all employees demonstrate a service orientation towards with residents, tenants, contracted services, clients, employees, volunteers.
  • Liaises with laboratory services regarding specimen management.
  • Participation in quality improvement initiatives and committees of the facility
  • Assist the Manager in providing direction regarding employee health issues such as exposures, vaccines or vaccine preventable diseases, communicable diseases and other infection prevention/control related issues involving employees.
  • The IPAC Coordinator is also responsible to report any accidents, incidents, or other workplace concerns to their manager and participate in and complete all required health and safety training.
  • They must also comply with the provision of the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
    • to observe established Policies and Procedures;
    • to use or wear the equipment, protective devices, or clothing that the employer requires to be used or worn;
    • to report to his or her immediate supervisor the absence of, or defect in any equipment or protective equipment of which he is aware and which may endanger himself/herself or others;
    • to report to his/her immediate supervisor any contravention of the Act.

Education & Experience

  • College diploma in a relevant health care discipline (i.e. Medical Laboratory Technologist, other Health Sciences specialization) or equivalent acquired through experience in a health care setting
  • An IPAC Canada approved Infection Control Program certificate from Public Health is recommended.
  • Undergraduate degree or college with related experience is required.
  • Experience working in infection control and prevention is preferred.
  • Three (3) years' experience in health care or laboratory environment, with previous experience in an administrative capacity preferred.

Skills

  • Knowledge PIDAC Best practices and the Fixing- Long Term Care Act, 2021 (the Act).
  • Working knowledge of pharmacology, specifically antimicrobials and microbiology.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills required to communicate with staff at all levels in the organization.
  • Adult teaching and clinical instruction skills. Knowledge of clinical care practices in long-term care and the Fixing- Long Term Care Act, 2021 (the Act)  
  • Excellent administrative and organizational skills Demonstrated customer service orientation.
  • Knowledge and understanding of resident care practices. Knowledge of the Infectious Disease process and the regulatory bodies and legislative requirements that impact the Infection Control practice.
  • Advanced ability to integrate knowledge into clinical practice.
  • Excellent interpersonal, leadership, teaching and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects and priorities.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Good problem solving and critical thinking skills.
  • Advanced proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
  • Ability to manage and contribute to an excel data base to perform statistical manipulation of data for surveillance, evaluation, reporting or quality improvement initiatives.

 

Please forward your resume and cover letter, outlining your background and experience with each key responsibility to be considered for the role.

We thank all candidates for applying; however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

For candidates selected for consideration, Perley Health, upon request, will make reasonable accommodation for any disability-related needs with respect to the recruitment process and materials.

 

Application Form

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