1. IDENTIFICATION Position No. Job Title Supervisor s Position 10-11867 Infection Control Practitioner Director, Clinical Services Department Division/Region Community Location Health Iqaluit Health Services Iqaluit Qikiqtani General Hospital Freebalance Coding: 2. PURPOSE Main reason why the position exists, within what context and what the overall end result is. The Infection Control Practitioner reports directly to the Director, Clinical Services. This position is responsible for the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of the Infection Control Program and its impact on the Disaster and Emergency Planning Program within the Qikiqtani General Hospital to ensure high quality patient care. 3. SCOPE Describe the impact the position has on the area in which it works, or if it impacts other departments, the government as a whole, or the public directly or indirectly. How does the position impact those groups/individuals, the organization and/or budgets? What is the magnitude of that impact? The Infection Control Practitioner maintains an effective Infection Control program for the Qikiqtani General Hospital by achieving the following: a) Developing and maintaining a system of identifying and reporting nosocomial infections. b) Identifying and investigating outbreaks of infections. c) Advising Members of the Infection Control Committee of any problems and working with the Committee towards the resolution of infection control problems. d) Developing and maintaining infection control policies and procedures through the Infection Control Committee by consulting with all disciplines/departments and facilities on infection control matters. Will act as Chairperson for the Infection Control Committee. e) Participating as a member of other committees such as the Environmental Services Team that may require infection control input. f) Collaborating with managers responsible for employee safety in order to identify and report employee health risks related to infection control. g) Developing and implementing a pre-employment immunization program for the Updated January 2015 Page 1
Qikiqtani General Hospital and monitoring staff immunization status on an annual basis. h) Consulting and liaising with appropriate Public Health Authorities. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES Describe major responsibilities and target accomplishments expected of the position. List the responsibilities that have the greatest impact on the organization first and describe them in a way that answers why the duties of the position are being performed. For a supervisory or management position, indicate the subordinate position(s) through which objectives are accomplished. The Infection Control Practitioner will be specifically accountable for: 1) Developing and maintaining a surveillance system for the timely collection, tabulation, analysis and reporting of communicable diseases to identify and deal with risk and outbreak situations to minimize risk to the organization, staff, clients and visitors. 2) Providing orientation to all new employees within the Qikiqtani General Hospital on infection control principles and practices through demonstration and discussion. 3) Assisting with regular staff development for the Hospital s employees regarding new trends, equipment, regulations and procedures that relate to infection control. 4) Ensuring professional development by keeping up-to-date with literature in the area of hospital infection and in other areas relating to Infection Control. 5) Preparing and maintaining infection control policies, procedures and other appropriate manuals. 6) Developing a system for evaluating the effectiveness of the Infection Control Program. 7) Performing immunizations as required for the pre-employment immunization program. 8) Organize Tuberculosis skin testing for new employees by liaising with Public Health staff at the start of employment and yearly TB skin testing for existing employees who have never had a positive TB skin test. 9) Liaising with Public Health staff and territorial staff for pandemic planning. 10) Participating on the many hospital committees such as Patient Safety and Disaster and Emergency Management Committee. Will be expected to chair or co-chair the Infection Control Committee. Updated January 2015 Page 2
5. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Describe the level of knowledge, experience and abilities that are required for satisfactory job performance. Knowledge identifies the acquired information or concepts that relate to a specific discipline. Skills describe acquired measurable behaviours and may cover manual aspects required to do a job. Abilities describe natural talents or developed proficiencies required to do the job. These requirements are in reference to the job, not the incumbent performing the job. Education and Experience Bachelor s degree in Nursing from a Canadian university and be eligible for registration with the Government of Nunavut or an equivalent combination of education and experience. It is essential that the applicant have post basic education and expertise in the field of Infection Control i.e. Certificate in Infection Control (CIC) Must have a minimum of one years experience in infection control in a hospital setting or Public Health. Skills & Abilities. Demonstrates good interpersonal skills. Demonstrates the ability to prioritize, interpret and respond appropriately to issues. Well-developed problem solving skills. Demonstrates the ability to keep abreast of infection control procedures and to build on current knowledge. Demonstrates the ability to work effectively with others as well as independently. Demonstrates effective oral presentation skills. Demonstrates effective written presentation skills. Demonstrates leadership ability. Familiarity with computers and applicable software (e.g. Spreadsheets, word processing, database, Internet) is required. 6. WORKING CONDITIONS List the unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed and which create hardship for the incumbent. Express frequency, duration and intensity of each occurrence in measurable time (e.g. every day, two or three times a week, 5 hours a day). This position works within the Qikiqtani General Hospital. Long hours may be required during periods of any infectious outbreak or pandemic situation. Physical Demands Indicate the nature of physical demands and the frequency and duration of occurrences leading to physical fatigue or physical stress. This is a Hospital based position with demands that are typical of working within an acute care facility. There is no heavy limiting or significant physical demands required. Updated January 2015 Page 3
Environmental Conditions Indicate the nature of adverse environmental conditions to which the jobholder is exposed, and the frequency and duration of exposures. Include conditions that increase the risk of accident, ill health, or physical discomfort. The incumbent may be exposed to infectious outbreaks or pandemic situations as they occur within the hospital or community. Sensory Demands Indicate the nature of demands on the jobholder s senses. These demands can be in the form of making judgments to discern something through touch, smell, sight, and/or hearing. It may include concentrated levels of attention to details though one or more of the incumbents senses. This position requires a high attention to detail as it is responsible for tracking infection rates within the facility and providing advice to hospital and medical staff to resolve such occurrences. Will be required to provide orientation to each new staff member respecting Infection Control requirements. Mental Demands Indicate conditions within the job that may lead to mental or emotional fatigue that would increase the risk of such things as tension or anxiety. As a single Professional in this area without the possibility of strong support this will require a person with a high confidence level and a well developed skill set to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Updated January 2015 Page 4
7. CERTIFICATION Employee Signature Supervisor Title Printed Name Supervisor Signature Date: I certify that I have read and understand the responsibilities assigned to this position. Date I certify that this job description is an accurate description of the responsibilities assigned to the position. Deputy Head Signature Date I approve the delegation of the responsibilities outlined herein within the context of the attached organizational structure. Updated January 2015 Page 5