Infection Control Practitioner

The Infection Control program provides a full range of services within McMaster, General, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Center,, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, St. Peters Hospital and affiliated outpatient services. The Program is committed to change and innovation, through education, service and research, to bring the highest quality science into healthcare for the benefit of the community and to participate in the clinical application, delivery and interpretation of that science.

The Infection Control department is responsible for collaborating with clinical programs, physicians and managers to conduct research and develop and implement new procedures/policies for the continued improvement of quality patient care. The department collaborates with Medical Microbiologists, Infection Control Disease Physicians, Clinical and Support Service Programs within Hamilton Health Sciences, Regional Infection Control Committee members, Public Health, patients and families and other hospital services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Supports the Infection Prevention and Control Program for Hamilton Health Sciences at all sites:

• Follows national guidelines /best practices for the surveillance of healthcare associated infections
• Follows the Public Health Act (HPPA) for the reporting of communicable infectious diseases
• Reviews patient records to ascertain clinical signs and symptoms for infection, clinical interventions and requirements for transmission-based precautions. Completes patient specific information.
• Reviews and interprets significant clinical laboratory reports on a daily basis for the purpose of ongoing surveillance/ trends
• Interviews hospital patients or out-patients as necessary to complete the patient-specific data
• Gathers and calculates infection control statistics such as averages, percentages and rates in support of the infection prevention and control program.
• •Investigates all infection clusters and outbreaks with interventions directed at infection prevention
• Consults for infection risk assessment, prevention and control strategies to departments
• Participates or consults in the development and maintenance of Infection Prevention and Control protocols/ standards/policy and procedures
• Provides after hours and weekend on-call services as required and occasional week ends on site coverage
• Assists in research projects with bibliographic searches, statistical computations, drafting of reports/ papers and publications
• Supports Program activities as requested by the Infection Control /Manager, which may include:
• responding to inquiries from hospital staff, patient, visitors, associates and community partners
• acting as a resource/consultant for infection prevention and control issues

participating in the preparation and implementation of educational programs that the support the goals of the department

• implements changes mandated by regulatory and licensing agencies

consulting on product evaluation and recommendations for infection prevention and control implications

• Attends and participates in hospital-related committees as directed by the Infection Control Officer/Manager

Bachelor's degree in Nursing or other Regulated Healthcare Professional discipline or University degree in a heath sciences field

• Successful completion of an IPAC-Canada endorsed basic training course in Infection Prevention and Control
• Two years experience working in an Infection Prevention and Control Program
• Certificate in Infection Control (CIC designation) by the Certification Board of Infection Control
• Regulated Health Care Professional with current registration with their professional body
• Knowledge of acute, and ambulatory care programs an asset
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the complexities of the delivery of patient care
• Ability to communicate successfully with staff, families and community partners
• Computer proficiencies: MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint, familiarity with statistical software preferred
• Demonstrated experience in adult education techniques
• Effective research skills including ability to construct effective studies involving statistical measures an asset
• Self-motivated , flexible and able to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Consistent and regular attendance required

As a condition of employment, you are required to submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to Employee Health Services.