Infection Control Practitioner

St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Unity Health Toronto is seeking an Infection Control Professional (ICP) to lead IPAC activities by interpreting evidence-based standards to reduce hospital-acquired infections at St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto.

The ICP will report to the IPAC manager and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop surveillance, policies, and education for staff, physicians, students, and patients, while supporting quality improvement and on-call coverage.

Qualifications

• Degree in health-related discipline or equivalent; Master’s preferred.
• Recent infection prevention and control experience in healthcare.
• Current CBIC certification preferred or plan to complete within two years.
• IPAC knowledge across infectious diseases and epidemiology.
• Strong communication and teaching skills.

Responsibilities

• Develops surveillance activities for health care-associated infections.
• Responds to exposures and outbreaks as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Serves as IPAC consultant across the organization.
• Develops and implements IPAC policies and procedures.
• Provides IPAC education to staff, physicians, students, volunteers, and patients.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives.
• Performs audits and provides feedback to stakeholders.
• Supports IPAC on-call and weekend coverage.

Skills

IPAC knowledge

Communication skills

Coaching/teaching

Problem solving

Time management

Computer skills

Education

Master’s degree preferred

CBIC certification preferred

Degree in health-related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Job description

The Infection Control Professional (ICP) is a leader an expert who facilitates infection control activities through the interpretation of evidence-based standards and best practice recommendations with the primary goal of reducing the risk of transmission of infectious agents and hospital acquired infections (HAI) within Unity Health.

The IPAC practitioner will report to the IPAC manager with the following responsibilities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develops, coordinates and performs surveillance activities of significant organisms and other healthcare associated infections
• Assesses and responds to exposures and outbreaks as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Serves as an expert IPAC consultant across the organization
• Participates in the development, communication and implementation of IPAC policies and procedures, current best practice guidelines and applicable standards
• Provides consultative advice, feedback and reports to internal and external stakeholders regarding surveillance data, investigations, audits and issues of IPAC significance
• Develop and facilitate IPAC education for staff, physicians, students, volunteers and patients
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives
• Implements infection control recommendations as determined by the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
• Conducts audits and provides education and feedback
• Develops and maintains relationships with assigned areas and supports all levels of staff, leaders and professional staff with IPAC expertise
• Conducts exposure and outbreak investigations with stakeholder engagement
• Participates in the departmental IPAC on-call and weekend coverage rotation.
• Provide infection prevention and control expert consultation as it relates to health care facility renovation, construction and maintenance.
• Perform cross-functional and/or other duties consistent with the job classification, as required

Qualifications

• Degree in health related discipline (e.g. nursing, laboratory, epidemiology, and other allied health) or equivalent combination of education and experience; Master’s degree preferred;
• Recent Infection Prevention Control experience in a health care setting
• Current certification from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) preferred or a commitment to completing certification within the first two years of hire.
• Current member of IPAC Canada preferred.
• Demonstrates strong IPAC knowledge and experience in related areas of infectious diseases, microbiology, epidemiology, disinfection/sterilization; outbreak management, HVAC & construction
• Demonstrated skills in coaching, mentoring, adult education and teaching
• Demonstrated effective written/verbal communication and interpersonal skills required
• Excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent time management and project management skills
• Exercise initiative and good judgment with ability to multi-task
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Strong computer skills with the ability to learn how to use new software programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office required and intermediate to advanced MS Excel skills preferred
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Knowledge of applicable legislative, UHT and/or departmental policies
• Competent in quality improvement and change management techniques/methodology

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.