Infection Prevention and Control Lead

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Position Purpose summary:   

The Infection Prevention and Control Lead ensures that the infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures are in place. For the health and safety of residents, staff and families, the IPAC Lead conducts surveillance, audits IPAC practices in the home, and maintains compliance and accountability by follow-up supervision and teaching

The IPAC Lead ensures that the mandated Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care processes and standards are implemented, monitored, analyzed and evaluated on an ongoing basis.

This position requires flexibility in work hours to include days, evenings, nights and weekends.

Accountabilities:               

• Implements any surveillance protocols directed for a particular communicable disease or disease of public health significance, and any standard or protocol issued by the Director (Ministry) with respect to Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)
• Ensures an interdisciplinary team approach to the co-ordination and implementation of the program
• Managing and overseeing the IPAC Program including the delivery of IPAC education to all staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors and residents.
• Convenes the interdisciplinary team (IPAC Lead, Medical Director, Director of Care (or designate, and Medical Officer of Health at least quarterly and more frequently during outbreaks.
• Convenes an ad hoc outbreak team at the outset of an Outbreak, and regularly throughout the Outbreak, and reviews the information gathered. 
• Reviews daily and monthly screening results to determine whether any action is required. Implement any required actions or improvements 
• Implements and maintains the Hand Hygiene (HH) Program, ensuring all staff participation
• Ensures that on every shift, symptoms indicating possible infection are monitored, recorded and immediate action taken to reduce transmission, such as isolating residents (Cohort as required)
• Analyze daily information gathered to detect presence of infection, and review at least monthly for the purpose of reducing incidents of infection and outbreaks
• Monitors for Health alerts and develops a written plan for  responding to infectious outbreaks
• Ensures every resident admitted must be screened for TB within 14 days (unless already screened in the previous 90 days).
• Ensure immunizations against influenza, Covid-19 are offered throughout year at appropriate times. Residents are offered immunizations against Pneumococcus, Tetanus/Diphtheria pertussis.
• Manages the staff immunization program.
• Monitors staff compliance with policies, public health directives, best practices and guidelines,
• Coordinates the Home’s vaccine program, including ordering, storage, administration of vaccine and reporting of data to Ottawa Public Health
• Coordinates mask fit testing for all staff and essential visitors as per regulations
• Ensures the Homes cleaning and disinfecting protocols are in place and followed
• Maintains the Homes pandemic plan
• Reviewing daily and monthly screening results to determine whether action is required
• Evaluates and develops action plans to address any deficiencies in procedures or practices
• Upholds established coaching and disciplinary process for any staff resistant to IPAC protocols
• Performs testing for Covid, Influenza A& B, RSV on the Abbott ID Now machine
• Assesses residents to determine eligibility for Abbott ID Now testing
• Available to assist or teach (to who) Nasal Pharyngeal swabbing
• Evaluates and updates the program at least annually. Keeps a written record of evaluations (dates, attendance, summary of changes, date of change implementations)
• Maybe be required to fill in registered staff when needed

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Internal:

• Director of Care
• Executive Director
• Staff
• Member of the Quality Improvement Committee

External:

• Residents
• Families
• Stakeholders

MANAGERIAL/Technical Leadership RESPONSIBILITY:  

• Reports directly to: The Director of Nursing and Personal Care (DOC) or Designate

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:  

• Ensures proper usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Ensures appropriate PCR testing, and use of Abbott ID Now Tests in house

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• This is an on site position at a Long Term Care home.
• Will interact with residents who have transmittable disease
• This position requires a combination of walking, standing, sitting and keyboarding.
• May interact with residents with erratic/ responsive behaviours
• Required to work various shifts including evenings, overnights and weekends.
• Required to work on call on a rotational basis.
• Participate in the on call rotation

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:  

• Appropriate current certificate of competence from the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Nurse or equivalent degree.
• Current certification in infection control from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (preferable) or enrollment in an appropriate course on track for completion within 2 years
• A clear VSC, with results acceptable to TSA, completed in the last 3 months
• A negative TB test, 2 step or chest x-ray, completed in the last 3 months

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements  

• 3-5 years of IPAC experience
• Previous similar experience in Long-Term Care with comprehensive knowledge of duties
• Knowledge in best practices of Infection Prevention and Control
• Experience chairing various committees

Skills and Capabilities (examples provided below):

• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and comprehension skills
• Able to provide coaching and mentoring to staff
• Strong sense of integrity, fairness, flexibility and confidentiality with professional ethics
• A serving heart and a passion for caring for seniors

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $85,321.60 to $106,641.60 with a maximum of $127,982.40.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.