Southbridge Care Homes Looking for IPAC Lead at Trent Hills, Ontario, Canada Full Time

Department: IPAC-Nursing

Status: Temporary Part-time (3 days/week for approximately 1 year)

Candidates are invited to apply for the above-mentioned position to work at our Warkworth Place home, located in Warkworth ON.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director and 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 control and serve 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 the IPAC Lead in the home you will be accountable for…

CATERGORY

TASK

Communication and stakeholder engagement

• Establish and maintain effective communication with the regional IPAC specialist
• Assists in response to stakeholder inquiries related to IPAC process or outcomes
• Ensure roll out of directives and recommendations from the local public health and other regulatory bodies
• Assist in inspection tours in the home

Reporting

• Submit weekly reports to the Ministry on COVID-19 rapid test and vaccination status
• Report immediately to the regional IPAC specialist any high risks issues requiring attention

Education

• Ensure all new employees complete the web-based Surge learning IPAC education before starting their first shift
• Deliver in-class IPAC education to all new employees within one month of hire
• Perform annual in-class IPAC education for all employees
• Track employee education and ensure staff are up to date in their mandatory education
• Train IPAC champions on audit completion and expectations
• Track the delivery and effectiveness of IPAC huddles

IPAC Assessment

• Collaborate in quarterly IPAC assessments conducted by the regional IPAC specialist
• Lead the investigations of IPAC breaches
• Participate in the development of corrective action plans after each inspection
• Monitor and ensure implementation of corrective actions
• Conduct audits to ensure sustainability of the action plan effectiveness

Audits

Ensure IPAC audits are performed in all home areas in all shift and targets are met. Identify any barriers to compliance

The audits include but not limited to:

• PPE donning and doffing
• Hand hygiene
• Cleaning and disinfection (Glo germ and ATP)
• Break room and smoking area audits

Review the following IPAC procedures and processes and ensure alignment with PIDAC best practices:

• reusable equipment handling and disinfection.
• waste handling, storage and disposal.
• disposal of sharps
• linen handling and cleaning.
• environmental cleaning and disinfection
• dietary services processes
• programs and recreational activities

Ensure homes are meeting daily audit targets in every shift in every unit

Audits staff and visitor screening logs daily

Identify and report safety hazards, conduct regular safety inspections and follow safe working practices and behavior;

Infection surveillance

• Track infection rates (incl. wound/skin, UTI, ARI, GE, MRSA, VRE, CPE, ESBL, etc.) and submit monthly infection reports
• Ensure 24-hour symptoms surveillance is done
• Develop line list and ensure all symptomatic residents are tested and appropriately isolated and cohorted

IPAC committee and meetings

• Chair IPAC committee meetings
• Ensure documentation of minutes
• Ensure the implementation of recommendations from the IPAC and PAC meetings

Outbreak management

Lead outbreak management meetings and provide daily report

• Support the creation of Line list
• Support the establishment of case definition
• Ensure appropriate signage are in place
• Ensure screening and testing of symptomatic residents
• Serve as liaison with the local public health under the direction of the regional IPAC specialist
• Assist the ED with communication material to all resident, staff, & POA’s

Immunization program

• Coordinates the immunization program
• Keep a comprehensive record of residents and staff immunization
• Ensure all new hires provide proof of relevant immunization, e.g., TB, MMR, Varicella, HBsAg, Dtap, annual flu, COVID-19, etc.
• Ensure all new residents have received the required vaccine upon or during admission

Rapid Intervention Support

Serve as a rapid intervention team member to be deployed to other Southbridge homes to provide support in outbreak management if needed

IPAC consultation

• Serve as an IPAC resource to the home and facilitate change through interpretation and application of standards with the ultimate goal of improving resident outcomes and preventing disease outbreaks
• Respond to emails or telephone consultation on IPAC issues in a timely manner
• Provide expert guidance on facility design, maintenance, and construction projects;

COVID-19 antigen testing

• Responsible for coordination of COVID-19 antigen testing and reporting
• Tack and reconcile staff testing and follow up with staff as appropriate

Occupation health

• Responsible for documenting and following up on all staff sick calls
• Keep track on work exclusion and return to work determination
• In consultation with HR lead in the home, monitor RTW and modified duties related to IPAC
• Lead the respond to all work place blood and body fluid exposure incidents

PPE tracking and stocking

• Track PPE inventory and report burn rate to ED
• Ensure PPE carts are stocked daily with the appropriate PPE
• Ensure adequate PPE stock is available as per policy

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications and skills:

• RN/RPN degree or diploma.
• Bachelor’s degree in other healthcare related field, e.g., Microbiology, Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Science, Medicine or Occupational Health.

The ideal candidate must fulfill at least one of the criteria listed below:

• Certified in infection control CIC or a-IPC.
• Willingness to be enrolled in the certification program within 6 months of accepting the role and commitment to be certified within one year.
• A minimum 1 to 2 years of experience in infection control is required.
• Previous experience in long-term care as well as knowledge of applicable legislation is an asset.

Required IPAC Specific Education

IPAC leads must have completed any of the IPAC Canada endorsed infection prevention and control courses.

Please submit application to Barbara Pointon ED by June 19, 2023.

Barbara.Pointon@southbridgecare.ca

Southbridge Care Homes welcomes those applicants with disability related needs and those whom a need for accommodation in the recruitment process. Please provide notice of your need for accommodation to the hiring manager upon scheduling of an interview.

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