Infection Control Support Associate

Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) Manager (Hillcrest Place)

Reporting directly to the Administrator, the IPAC Manager (Hillcrest Place) will be a safety expert who leads the implementation, coordination, and evaluation of improvements in infection prevention and control and serves as a role model to promote the goals of the IPAC program within the home.
The IPAC Manager will be responsible for carrying out a range of activities related to the surveillance, detection, prevention, and control of infections within the home.This role will also conduct relevant analyses to identify risk factors or outbreaks and develop interventions for the prevention and control of the disease, often in consultation with the IPAC Consultant for the region.
This role will facilitate change through application of IPAC standards within the home and provide best practice recommendations with the goal of improving resident outcomes and preventing disease outbreaks.

Responsibilities

Leads the LTC home's IPAC program, consulting with the IPAC Consultant for the region as required in the development and evaluation of the home's IPAC program;
Ensures the IPAC program in the home is consistent with standards, best practice and key principles established by applicable provincial standards and protocols and with Extendicare policies and procedures;
Supervises the various roles & interdisciplinary team, responsible for carrying out the IPAC program in the home and chairs all home IPAC Committee meetings;
Trains staff, residents, and care providers on IPAC standards and practices as outlined by Extendicare policies and procedures and applicable provincial directives at the commencement of their employment, annually, with any change in policies/ practices, as well as upon onset of an infectious disease outbreak in the home;
Performs regular IPAC audits in the home and leads the investigation of IPAC breaches;
Conducts IPAC risk assessments in the home, and leads development of corrective plans of action, reporting on progress at the IPAC Committee meetings quarterly;
Represents the home as the point of contact with local public health units, Extendicare corporate IPAC consultants and Hospital IPAC partners;
Oversees the emergency stockpile inventory in the home, including personal protective equipment (PPE), and other critical supplies required in an outbreak (e.g., testing supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.);
Oversees the mask fit testing process for all staff in the home and ensure retesting requirements are maintained and tracked as per policy;
Coordinates implementation of any immunization programs, including reporting and data collection to corporate IPAC program for trending and analysis Initiates and leads outbreak management protocols for the home;
Oversees any required surveillance, testing, and contact tracing associated with infectious disease outbreaks in the home, in partnership with the local public health unit and local hospital (as appropriate);
Oversees internal surveillance and monitoring processes, including internal line listing, and related outbreak management requirements;
Leads outbreak management meetings within the home and in partnership with the local public health unit and corporate IPAC consultants;
Conducts regular and proactive communication with residents, families and staff related to infectious diseases outbreaks and protocols;
In partnership with the Administrator/Executive Director and regional IPAC Consultant, ensures that the outbreak management protocol and pandemic plan are reviewed and evaluated annually in alignment with Extendicare's policies and procedures;

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a health profession, or Regulated Health Professional in good standing with respective regulatory college;
3-5 years' experience working in health care, including public health sector, with several years in an IPAC lead capacity;
LTC home operational experience, considered an asset;
Current Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is preferred, or, willingness to complete by April 2025;
Demonstrated working knowledge of infection prevention control principles and practices;
Knowledge of relevant legislation, including provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and other provincial Acts/Guidelines/Regulations;
Experience training health professionals using adult learning principles, practices and techniques
Strong organization skills;
Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications;
Proficient computer skills including the use of health care information systems (e.g., PointClickCare) and sufficient ability using Microsoft Excel to create and manage line lists for outbreak management;
Ability to make decisions in a timely manner using data and best practices related to the precautionary principle.

Time Type:


Full timeWhen you choose to build your career with Extendicare, you're joining a team dedicated to making a difference.
By focusing our energy on enriching the lives of our residents every day, we transform both the quality of their lives and the quality of our own work experiences.

If you have a passion for caring, turn it into a rewarding career with Extendicare!

Extendicare and affiliated organizations including our partner homes in Extendicare Assist, accommodate the needs of job applicants throughout its recruitment and selection processes upon request.