Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Practitioner reports into the Coordinator/Clinical Manager, IPAC and works in collaboration with IPAC Medical Leads for the clinical programs across multiple sites within PHSA. The IPAC Practitioner facilitates the implementation, operations and maintenance of the infection prevention and control program within the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) of BC. The IPAC Practitioner has an active role in the prevention, surveillance, and control of infections; provides support and education on IPAC policies, standards, best practices and guidelines. Acts as a resource and reviews opportunities for IPAC improvement and follows up on occurrences of infection transmission across PHSA. The IPAC Practitioner collaborates with the clinical program infection control committees, clinical operational teams and the organization-wide IPAC team. The IPAC Practitioner also maintains liaison with the leaders across the organization and within the clinical programs on operational and professional matters. This is a multi-site position that will be expected to carry out duties at various sites throughout PHSA.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Conducts IPAC surveillance, involving data collection, documentation, analysis, and reporting. Identifies problem areas and infection risks; reviews processes and other contributing factors to evaluate root causes of infections; and recommends both immediate interventions as well as sustainable corrective action.

2.    In collaboration with team members and key stakeholders, develops implements and evaluates infection prevention and control initiatives, policies, procedures and guidelines. Provides orientation, education and/or mentorship to other IPAC Practitioners, educators, healthcare providers, support and volunteer services, as well as third party providers on IPAC processes.

3.    Conducts investigative audits in conjunction with healthcare professionals; collects relevant data from a variety of sources. Analyzes and communicates audit results in relation to infection rates; provides comprehensive reports to IPAC leadership, site/program/service teams, and other stakeholders. Works in collaboration with team members and key stakeholders on recommendations for remediation, and in conjunction with frontline leaders to implement improvements and/or changes in practices.

4.    Provides expertise at the sites for alerts, outbreaks and on outbreak management calls following established procedures and protocols. Prepares and presents status reports to leadership teams and, site/program committees. Advises on control measures, reviews practices, communicates events, receive and compiles line lists for reports on the nature of the incident, making recommendations for future control/avoidance of same.

5.    Provides consultation and acts as a resource to healthcare professionals, third party providers, and patients and families on infection prevention and control issues, policies, best practices and standards. Assists in the analysis and resolution of IPAC issues, and advises on appropriate IPAC methods, processes, techniques and design consideration.

6.    Report all communicable or contagious diseases to public health officials as necessary per organizational processes and as required by law by calling and/or providing written reports according to guidelines.

7.    Advises and collaborates with facility-planning and maintenance personnel on the integration of pertinent regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards for site-level emergencies, construction projects and renovation initiatives.

8.    Identifies own learning goals and maintains and updates current clinical competence and knowledge within areas of practice. Maintains knowledge of current developments in the IPAC field, through a variety of methods including review of relevant literature, consulting with other professionals and attending relevant education programs as required.

9.    In collaboration with stakeholders develops a quality improvement plan for corrective action based on site infection and control risks.

10.    Reports adverse events utilizing the Patient Safety Learning System.

11.    Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to participate in designated professional or operational committees. Participates in special projects in conjunction with multi-disciplinary teams.

12.    Assists the IPAC team by attending panel interviews, and provides recommendations on the selection of new staff.

13.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•    Bachelor's degree in a relevant health science discipline such as Med Lab Sciences, Medical/Clinical Microbiology, Epidemiology, Pathology, or related field.
•    Three (3) years' recent related clinical experience recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Completion of, or current enrollment in, an approved IPAC Canada sponsored and endorsed Infection Control course.
•    Current Certification Board for Infection Control (CBIC) Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or expected certification within two (2) years of start of employment.
•    A valid BC Driver’s License and access to a vehicle for business related purposes, as required.
•    Travel outside of existing geographic area and/or overnight travel may be required, and will be compensated in accordance with applicable collective agreement language.

Skills and Abilities

•    Demonstrated knowledge of epidemiological principles, statistics, medical/clinical microbiology, and infectious diseases, patient care practices and application of continuous quality improvement.
•    Knowledge of the interrelationships between Acute, Residential, Community Health and Public Health resources in the health delivery system.
•    Demonstrated ability to use factual information, prior learning and basic principles and procedures to support infection control decisions and actions with relevant research-based evidence/evidence informed practice.
•    Experience communicating effectively with patients, families/support person, the public, medical staff, members of the multi-disciplinary care team, and other stakeholders, using professional verbal, written and electronic communication means.
•    Ability to think conceptually, strategically, and systematically.
•    Demonstrated ability to work independently and to collaborate with and promote cooperation among members of the multi-disciplinary care team and all identified stakeholders.
•    Experience assessing site educational needs and develop, implement and evaluate effectiveness of educational programs.
•    Experience in integrating and evaluating data from multiple sources to problem-solve effectively.
•    Ability to organize and prioritize work in a continuously changing environment.
•    Ability to deal with and promote change.
•    Experience in facilitating, consulting, presenting, and teaching.
•    Ability to influence leaders, including physicians and staff at all levels.
•    Experience operating related equipment, including relevant computer software applications.
•    Knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention.
•    Knowledge of population health theories.
•    Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
•    Ability to travel to designated facilities and work sites.