The Meadows of Dorchester – Long-Term Care Home – Niagara Falls, ON
Temporary, Full-Time - approximate duration 6-10 months
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Manager Clinical Practice, the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Program Manager is responsible to implement, oversee and maintain the Long Term Care (LTC) Home’s infection prevention and control program with an interdisciplinary team. This role also ensures the delivery of infection prevention and control education and enforcement to all staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors and residents, auditing of practices in the home, monitoring surveillance and managing outbreaks in the home. The IPAC Program Manager will ensure the home is in compliance with all relevant legislation and best practices such as Public Health Ontario, Ministry Long Term Care, Ministry of Labour and Accreditation Canada.
Responsibilities:
Managing the infection prevention and control program for the LTC Home (20% of time)
- Supervise the delivery of infection prevention and control education to all staff, caregivers, volunteers, visitors and residents.
- Lead the Immunization and screening program for residents and immunization program for staff.
- Ensure screening measures are in place.
- Coordinate the ordering, inventory management, distribution and appropriate and safe use of PPE for the home.
- Ensure that there is in place a hand hygiene program in accordance with any standard or protocol issued by the Ministry LTC Director.
- Participate in the annual review of the outbreak management plan.
- Screen and track antibiotic resistant organism upon admission and readmission to the homes.
- Monitor N95 fit testing for all staff and ensures access to fit-testing, when required
- Oversee and track the IPAC training and education program for staff and volunteers required by the Act and Regulation that meets requirements set in the IPAC Standards
Conducting regular infection disease surveillance (20% of time)
- Audit daily and monthly screening results to determine whether any immediate action is required.
- Provide training to staff on how to monitor for the presence of infection in residents and ensure surveillance is performed by staff on every shift to identify cases of healthcare acquired infections, device-associated infections and antibiotic-resistant organisms
- Ensure symptoms indicating the presence of infection in residents are monitored in accordance with any standard or protocol issued by the Ministry LTC Director.
- Ensure symptoms are recorded and immediate action is taken to reduce transmission and isolate residents and place them in cohorts as required.
- Perform daily surveillance activities by collecting, analyzing and communicating epidemiological data.
- Complete at a minimum, quarterly real-time audits of infection prevention and control practices in the home and demonstration of staff competency in these practices (ex. Hand hygiene, PPE selection, PPE donning/doffing). Address gaps or violations in protocols as required.
Leads the Outbreak Management Team at the outset of an outbreak and regularly throughout an outbreak (20% of time)
- Lead an outbreak management system for detecting, managing, and controlling infectious disease outbreaks. This includes defined staff responsibilities, reporting protocols based on requirements under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, communication plans, and protocols for receiving and responding to health alerts.
- Advise on IPAC practices to manage the outbreak and minimize risk(s) to residents and staff and implement changes to IPAC practices as needed to support the outbreak response.
- Assist with securing IPAC-related resources needed to support outbreak management response
- Ensure accurate disease-related information is tracked and documented.
- Engage with public health on the outbreak response, when relevant, including when an outbreak has been declared.
Data Analysis and Quality Improvement (20% of time)
- Analyse audit data collected to determine trends and potential risks.
- Implement required improvements to the infection prevention and control program in collaboration with the interdisciplinary IPAC team, as required by audits, data analysis as well as recommendations arising from the quality program for IPAC
- Responsible for monthly, quarterly and annual reporting of infection control data and activities.
- Conduct risk assessments and audits to evaluate the effectiveness of current programs and plans and collaborate with the Manager, Clinical Practice to develop short and long-term goals.
- Lead the completion of the Infection Control Program Evaluation annually.
- Support departmental managers with implementation of required practices such as cleaning and disinfecting, food safety monitoring and equipment. Consults with the Medical Director on policies and procedures for the IPAC program that impact medical care.
- Seek advice from the interdisciplinary IPAC team and other health care professionals in the home on specific policies and procedures of the IPAC program, in particular those that directly impact resident care.
- Collaborate with the Manager of Clinical Practice to review, at least annually, IPAC policies and procedures and ensure they are complete, accurate and align with evidence and with best practice.
Communication and IPAC representative of the Home (20% of time)
- Act as the primary contact for Public Health inspections at the home.
- Provide regular communication for the staff, residents and families in the event of an outbreak.
- Develop and deliver outbreak management training for staff at minimum with the onset of an outbreak (disinfecting products, high touch surfaces, PPE protocols, isolation requirements, cohorting etc.).
- Communicate risks and treatments for all residents within the home when infection is identified.
- Engage residents, families, staff and volunteers to promote an infection control culture.
- Ensure prompt reporting of reportable disease to Public Health, Ministry of Labour, and the MLTC.
- Report immunization rates of staff and residents as required.
- Notify the Home’s leadership team of risks, declared outbreaks and appropriate mitigation measures and precautions required to respond to incidences of infection.
- Work in collaboration with the IPAC Hub.
- Regularly meet with interdisciplinary team.
- Regularly engage with the Resident’s Council and Family Council to seek advice on IPAC measures and their impacts on residents and families/caregivers and to evaluation the IPAC program and quality activities.
- Conduct debrief sessions with the outbreak management team following the resolution of an outbreak to assess IPAC practices that were effective and ineffective in the management of the outbreak.
Organization Background:
Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.
At Niagara Region, we value diversity - in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.
We welcome all applicants! For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Niagara Region, Ontario or email related questions to diversity@niagararegion.ca. To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email myhr@niagararegion.ca
For the Region's full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario.
Please note that effective February 12, 2023 mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer required as per the Niagara Region’s amended COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. As a result, you will not be required to submit verification of your vaccination status before starting employment with the Niagara Region. However, the Niagara Region continues to reserve the right to reintroduce vaccination requirements in the future if necessary to respond to changing public health advice and\or government direction. The Niagara Region continues to strongly encourage everyone to remain up-to-date with vaccinations.
Education:
- Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Nursing or other related discipline.
- Current Certification from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) or evidence of enrollment and plan to complete within 3 years
- Completion of an Infection Prevention and Control course endorsed by IPAC Canada, CHICA or APIC-USA (preferred)
Knowledge:
- Minimum of 3 years recent experience working in infectious diseases and outbreak management
- Knowledge of Public Health Regulations, Registered Health Professionals Act, Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC), Long-Term Care Act and Regulations, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and privacy laws
- Proficiency with PointClickCare (eHCR) an asset
- Demonstrated clinical knowledge and skills in the care of the geriatric population as well as training in dementia awareness
- Adult Education Certificate is preferred
Special Requirements
- In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check, including a vulnerable sector search, and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
- Must maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons.
- Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.
Salary: $ 91,010.00 - $ 107,070.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision care
To Apply:
If you are looking for an opportunity to use your leadership expertise and grow your career with a progressive organization, please view the full advertisement, requirements and apply online at www.niagararegion.ca under the “Apply for a Seniors Services Job” heading (Job Opening #37142), before midnight on October 30, 2023.
Deadline: October 30, 2023
We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
