Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and Environmental Lead

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July 19, 2024

The Corporation of the County of Huron

Homes for The Aged Department

is Seeking a

Full-Time Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and Environmental Lead!

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead is responsible for leading and coordination of the Infection Control Program and managing the Housekeeping/Laundry department for the Huronview Homes for the Aged. This includes surveillance, analysis and reporting of infections and communicable disease, education to employees, residents, volunteers and families. The IPAC Lead is responsible for developing policies, procedures and responses to infectious/communicable diseases in the Homes to be compliant with legislation. The IPAC Lead liaises with Public Health and any other clinical guiding organizations related to Infection Prevention and Control. This role may be asked to provide support and backfill to either home as required.

This role will also oversee the housekeeping and laundry department to ensure that all cleaning and disinfection practices are followed.  This will include the scheduling, managing, policy and procedure creation.

The designated staff member must work regularly on-site in the Home as the IPAC position and must at least work the minimum hours required under the Ontario Regulations 246/22 section 102 (15) (16).

By April 2025, the designated person must have a current certification in infection control from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology. The role reports to the Director of Care.

What We Offer:

At the County of Huron, we’re committed to offering a modern work environment that puts people first.  We are a Certified Living Wage employer that values equity, diversity and inclusion.

The County of Huron offers a diverse portfolio of employment opportunities.  When you join our team, you’ll have the benefit of working with and learning from, people who have a broad range of skills and knowledge.  We offer training, mentorship, and career development opportunities to all staff.  When you work for the County of Huron, you invest in the community, and you benefit from seeing the results of your efforts firsthand.  It’s a great place to work!

Learn more about working for the County of Huron: https://vimeo.com/699170923

Role and Responsibilities related to IPAC:

  • Manage and oversee the IPAC program
  • Work with the interdisciplinary IPAC team to implement the IPAC program
  • Oversee the delivery of IPAC education to all staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors, residents and resident and family councils
  • Auditing of IPAC practices in the home (audits can be completed by other staff in the home in collaboration with, or under the direction of the IPAC Lead.
  • Conduct at a minimum, quarterly real-time audits of specific activities performed in the home, including but not limited to hand-hygiene, selection and donning and doffing of PPE
  • Reviews infectious disease surveillance result regularly to ensure that all staff are conducting infectious disease surveillance appropriately and to ensure that appropriate action is being taken to respond to surveillance findings.
  • Complete analysis of the IPAC Audit in the home and review with Huronlea IPAC Lead
  • Reviewing daily and monthly screening results collected by the home to determine whether action is required.
  • Manage ARO’s and antibiotic stewardship in consultation with Medical Directors
  • Convening the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) at the inset of an outbreak and regularly throughout the outbreak
  • Convening the interdisciplinary IPAC team at least quarterly, and at a more frequent interval during an infectious outbreak in the home
  • Reviewing the symptom screening gathered pursuant to subsection 102(9) of the Regulation
  • Work in collaboration with Huronlea IPAC lead to implement the IPAC program in the home
  • Implementing required improvements to the IPAC program from the annual review, audit results, as well as recommendations arising from the quality improvement program.
  • Oversee the Hand Hygiene Program – education, auditing, data analysis and trending, and ensuring at a minimum there is access to hand -hygiene agents at point of care (s.102(7) of the Regulation)
  • Retain the direct contact information (name, email address, phone number) of the local PHU, Medical officer of health, and IPAC Hub Lead.
  • Participation in IPAC Canada and IPAC Hub in the local area- access to IPAC expertise, collaborative assistance and just-in-time advice, guidance, and support
  • Monitor, review, implement and educate management, staff, residents, families, resident and family council, Community stakeholders and contractor on Infection, Prevention and Control updates related to guidance documents, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Public Health recommendations.
  • Attend CQI, & PAC meetings to share resident and staff data
  • Participate in Policy & Procedure Development (including Pandemic Plan)
  • Participate on Joint Health & Safety Committee
  • Support staff to maintain IPAC stats in IPAC Module on PCC
  • Oversee Resident & Staff Immunization Program
  • Conduct, track and schedule N95 Fit Testing for all staff at time of onboarding, every second year or as required.
  • Manage the selection, ordering, stocking, use and quality of PPE- Ensuring appropriate stewardship and conservation of PPE is followed.
  • Monitor vaccine fridges and vaccination programs
  • Complete other duties as assigned i.e., during extreme staffing shortages, may be assigned to assist in providing care to residents
  • Performs the responsibilities of this position within the legislative and regulatory standards set out in the applicable Federal, Provincial and/or Municipal statutes.

Role and Responsibilities related to Housekeeping and Laundry:

  • Prepares departmental policies and procedures, work routines, internal and external reports, and any other related correspondence as required.
  • Directs Housekeeping and laundry employees including recruitment, staffing, performance development, scheduling, planning and supervision of work.
  • Manages inventory and ordering of stock as needed.
  • Receives and attempts to resolve service-related complaints, concerns and questions in a timely and responsive manner. Refers and escalates to the appropriate individual as necessary.
  • Responsible for promoting and supporting the home’s focus on Person and Family Centered care by promoting and respecting residents in being an active partner of their health care.
  • Understanding of role specific health and safety responsibilities, and ensured compliance with internal and external safety policies, procedures, and legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Participates in Leadership Team of the Homes and the rotation of on-call coverage.
  • Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

  • RN and/or BScN, RPN with continuing education in Gerontology, Nursing Administration, Long Term Care or equivalent.
  • Must be in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
  • Minimum of 2 years progressive nursing experience in Gerontology, preferably in a long-term care setting.
  • Experience in environmental cleaning an asset.
  • IPAC Canada Certificate and IPAC Canada membership preferred; or willingness to enroll in IPAC Certificate course recommended by IPAC Canada and become a member
  • Demonstrated progressive experience implementing or facilitating infection prevention and control measures. Experience as a Registered Practical Nurse in a long-term care setting is an asset.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
  • Knowledge of relevant legislation, statutes and regulations related to Long-Term Care and program specific operations including the Resident’s Bill of Rights, Long Term Care Homes Act and occupational health and safety.
  • Knowledge of and demonstrated ability in analysis, measurement and evaluative methods, facilitation and presentation skills
  • Demonstrated experience with best practice guidelines for infectious disease prevention and control
  • Demonstrated experience with the promotion and implementation of clinical best practices Demonstrated experience with health promotion and health education/teaching activities
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to deliver programs, services and outcomes.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and the ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to deliver programs, services and outcomes.
  • Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork, lead and empower teams and guide effective project management outcomes.
  • Valid Ontario driver’s license and a vehicle with insurance is required.

Preferred Skills:

  • Knowledge of the legislation, guidelines and regulations as they relate to the position and responsibilities of the Long Term Care/Seniors Services sector.
  • Knowledge of, and demonstrated ability in corporate core competencies including customer service, communication, team work, initiative/self-management, accountability, flexibility and adaptability.
  • Ability to deal cooperatively and effectively with all levels of staff, unions/employee/client groups and ability to foster cooperative/collaborative working relationships.
  • Ability to travel to off-site locations in a timely and efficient manner, as required.
  • Ability to work outside regular business hours, including evenings, nights and weekends, as required.

Location:

Huronview – 77722 London Rd, Clinton, ON

Wage:

$51.76 – $60.54 per hour; as per the 2024 non-union wage grid.

Please forward your letter of application and resume by 11:59 pm on Sunday, August 4, 2024, to:  humanresources[at]huroncounty[dot]ca

Submission Guidelines:

To be considered for this position, please ensure that

  • Email subject is “2024 – IPAC and Environmental Lead”
  • The cover letter is a maximum of one page
  • Cover letter and resume are saved together in one PDF file
  • The PDF file name is your: First name Last name (e.g. Jane Smith)

Posted – July 19, 2024

Don’t meet every single requirement?

Studies have shown that women are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles. At the County of Huron, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. Information is collected solely for the purpose of job selection under the provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The County of Huron is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.