Infection Control Nurse (HPC/RN 4) - Lionel Town Hospital

Job Purpose

Within the scope of the infection control team, the incumbent will operationally lead the prevention and control of infection within the assigned institution by: 

• Directing and administering Infection Control programmes for Nursing, Medical, Paramedical and other support groups in the health facility. 
• Providing infection prevention and control advice and support to staff, patients and visitors. 
• Leading the development of education and training programmes for all disciplines of staff in relation to infection control to improve compliance with a focus on best practice.
• Leading the development, implementation, and auditing of infection prevention and control policies and procedures. 
• Identifying the occurrence of outbreaks and investigating disease patterns. 

Qualifications and Experience:

• Certificate/Diploma/B.Sc. in General Nursing and Certificate in Midwifery from accredited schools of Nursing and Midwifery. 
• Six (6) – Eight (8) years of clinical practice to proficiency level as Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife with assignment as Nurse/Ward Manager for at least three (3) years. 
• Registration with the Nursing Council of Jamaica as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife. 
• Approved certification in Nursing Administration (course duration should not be less than 4 months). 
• Certification in Infection Control. 

Specific Knowledge and Required Skills:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of infection prevention and control.
• Knowledge of communicable and infectious diseases management. 
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety standards. 
• Knowledge of sterilization, disinfection, and sanitation procedures. 
• Knowledge of isolation precautions and outbreak management. 
• Ability to investigate and manage infection outbreaks. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams. 
• Good interpersonal and oral communication skills. 
• Good time management and organizational skills. 
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgement.

Key responsibilities will include:

Administration 

• Leads the development of an Annual Infection Prevention and Control work plan reflecting the priorities identified through the audits conducted. 
• Leads the compilation of Infection Control Reports as appropriate. 
• Reports to relevant authorities’ i.e. Hospital Administration, Regional Health Authority, and Ministry of Health Epidemiology Unit on weekly/monthly basis reportable diseases and infections, and interventions such as eradication and fumigation. 
• Leads the development and implementation of an annual audit (more frequent if necessary). This includes development of audit tools, data collection, analysis and dissemination.
• Contributes to and participates in national programmes of audit and research on communicable and non-communicable diseases. 
• Evaluates and monitor new infection prevention and control programmes.
• Schedules and facilitates the timely meetings of the Infection Control Committee.
• Updates the Infection Control committee on new epidemiologic trends and points of interest in relation to diseases and infections. 
• Assists in developing and maintaining close liaison with the Local Health Department/ Parish Council in the reporting and investigation of infectious disease cases in the hospital.
• Institutes a system for Risk Assessment of patients and staff with regard to infection control. 
• Ensures its implementation in all clinical areas in line with evidence-based practice.
• Ensures that prevention and control of infection is a component of all related programmes, including procurement of items, maintenance etc. 
• Establishes and manages a clinical equipment cleaning system with the requisite tools for documentation. 

Clinical 

• Provides infection control advice, support and information to all healthcare personnel, patients and visitors to minimize the spread of infection. 
• Conducts active surveillance throughout the health facility to detect and record the occurrence of hospital acquired infections on a systematic and current basis. Provides relevant information to patients, relatives and carers who have acquired an infection whilst in hospital e.g. the need for barrier nursing and the management of an infection within the family context to prevent spread. 
• Takes lead responsibility for the Infection Control Manual. 
• Ensuring that all necessary policies and procedures are developed, updated and disseminated. 
• Ensuring that all staff have access to the manual and that infection control procedures are implemented and maintained effectively throughout the hospital. 
• Monitoring implementation of the manual by constructing and leading audits of compliance and programme improvements. 
• Ensures that all clinical and non-clinical services meet and comply with standards related to infection prevention. 
• Participates in the investigation of outbreaks of infections with particular reference to source and mode of spread. 
• Advises relevant health personnel on pertinent measures for control in conjunction with other Infection Control / Public Health Team members. 
• Investigates complaints and adverse incidents which have implications for cross infection and institutes the necessary changes for service improvement. 
• Institutes appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff, including relevant actions to mitigate risks and manage hazards. 
• Appraises the state of environmental cleanliness by liaising with local Public Health Inspector and Departmental/Ward Sister. 
• Investigates complaints and adverse incidents which have implications for cross infections; uses appropriate tools to identify problems, proposes and institutes change for service improvement. 

Education and Training 

• Develops training programmes in keeping with local priorities and national directives.
• Conducts education and training programmes for all levels and disciplines of staff.
• Provides infection control resources for staff, patients and visitors and promotes interest in the control of infection. 
• Educates, advises and informs patients, visitors and members of the general public on infection prevention and control. 
• Conducts workshops, seminars, lectures that explicate the impact of communicable/ infectious diseases on the specific duties of health care personnel. 
• Liaises with Infection Control team members and develops research topics. Implement research programmes, analyse and present findings. 

Research 

• Initiates and carries out infection control research. 
• Supports infection control research and encourages stakeholders. 
• Participates in nursing and multi-disciplinary research. 
• Prepares and documents infection control data of an administrative and clinical nature with appropriate analysis, interpretation and recommendations. 

Customer Relations 

• Conducts all activities within the appropriate ethical and legal guidelines of the profession and the hospital. 
• Demonstrate courtesy when dealing with patients, their families and visitors.
• Maintains good working relationship will all members of health team. 

Policies and Procedures 

• Adheres to administrative and nursing policies and practices of infection control.
• Complies with the organisation's risk management programme including timely and accurate accident / incident reporting. 

General 

• Is responsible and accountable for her own professional growth and development.
• Participates in a professional organization. 
• Works with voluntary and non-governmental organizations for the benefits of the agency/institution and the community. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job:

• Required to work beyond normal working hours. 
• Required to meet critical deadlines. 
• Exposure to confidential and sensitive information. 
• Exposure to infectious diseases. 

NB. ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED