Infection Prevention Specialist

Life Healthcare Group; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare group seeks an Infection Prevention Specialist to manage infection risks, lead committees, and ensure compliance with health standards. The role requires strong leadership and communication skills, along with practical experience in infection prevention.

Qualifications

• At least 60 credits from a recognized institution.
• Practical knowledge and experience in infection prevention.

Responsibilities

• Execute the hospital infection prevention strategy.
• Lead the Infection Prevention Committee.
• Ensure compliance with legal and company requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Qualified Infection Prevention and Control Specialist

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

A vacancy exists for an Infection Prevention Specialist based at Life The Crompton Hospital, reporting to the Nursing Standards Manager, Shantal Govender.

The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, managing, mitigating, and evaluating infection prevention risks to patients, staff, and the community, as well as business stakeholders.

Critical Outputs

1. Execute the hospital infection prevention strategy. Implement an infection prevention plan aligned with organizational objectives, based on facility experience, incidents, audit findings, and national targets.
2. Lead the Infection Prevention Committee: manage incident investigations, root cause analysis, trending, and follow-up actions.
3. Set infection prevention targets: with the nursing team.
4. Ensure compliance: with legal and company requirements through audits and risk assessments.
5. Participate in and manage: the resolution of findings from health inspections and quality reviews.
6. Monitor and evaluate: the effectiveness of audit and inspection close-outs at management meetings.

Surveillance and Reporting

• Identify and mitigate patient and environmental risks.
• Monitor high-risk patients and environments, consulting experts when necessary.
• Communicate infection trends and actions to relevant committees and management.

Occupational Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate occupational exposure risks.
• Ensure Hep B vaccination is offered to all healthcare workers.
• Monitor high-risk employees and environment for occupational health risks.

Infection Prevention Practice and Training

• Maintain technical and professional competence in infection prevention.
• Stay updated with international best practices.
• Provide expert advice and facilitate training on hand hygiene, body fluid exposure, resistant organisms, and link nurse programs.
• Assess unit-specific risk profiles and coordinate in-service training.
• Induct new employees on infection prevention and occupational health risks.

Outbreak Management

• Identify and mitigate risks during outbreaks.
• Review and lead outbreak response efforts, including communication with stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

• Qualified Infection Prevention and Control Specialist with at least 60 credits from a recognized institution.
• Practical knowledge and experience in infection prevention, ideally in a clinical or specialist setting.
• Commitment to enroll in the LHC certificate course and complete onboarding training.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and understanding of private healthcare industry.

Key Competencies

• Leadership, problem-solving, relationship building, communication, influencing, customer focus, knowledge management, rule orientation, research skills, ethical behavior, resilience.

Application email: [details not provided]

Internal applicants should consult their line managers before applying. External candidates are also considered.

Life Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Unsuccessful applicants should consider their application as not progressed after two weeks from the closing date.

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