Infection Control Nurse (HPC/RN 4) - May Pen Hospital

Job Purpose:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Nursing Services, the successful candidate will direct and administer Infection Control programs for Nursing, Medical, Paramedical and other support groups in the health facility. The incumbent will provide infection prevention and control advice and support to staff, patients and visitors and will 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. 

Minimum 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/Required Skills/Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of the Professional Nursing Theory and Practice 
• Excellent knowledge of the Principles of Hospital Administration Techniques of modern management 
• Excellent knowledge of Nursing, health and related legislation 
• Excellent knowledge of National Health and organizational Policy 
• Excellent knowledge of Infection Control principles and practices 
• Knowledge of Life, Behavioural, Natural, Medical Sciences, Nutrition, Pharmacology, Therapeutics Research Methodology 
• Excellent knowledge of Public Health & Epidemiology 
• Knowledge of Current Trends in Infection Prevention and Control 
• Working knowledge of the Staff Orders and the Human Resource Policies and Procedures
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Good problem solving and decision-making skills. 
• Excellent planning and organizing skills. 
• Good teamwork and cooperation skills. 

Key Responsibilities will include:

Administrative 

• Leading the development of an Annual Infection Prevention and Control work plan reflecting the priorities identified through the audits conducted. 
• Leading the compilation of Infection Control Reports as appropriate. 
• Reporting 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. 
• Leading the development and implementation of an annual audit (more frequent if necessary). This includes development of audit tools, data collection, analysis and dissemination. 
• Contributing to and participating in national programmes of audit and research on communicable and non-communicable diseases. 
• Evaluating and monitoring new infection prevention and control programmes.
• Scheduling and facilitating the timely meetings of the Infection Control Committee.
• Updating the Infection Control committee on new epidemiologic trends and points of interest in relation to diseases and infections. 
• Assisting 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.
• Instituting a system for Risk Assessment of patients and staff with regard to infection. 

Clinical 

• Providing infection control advice, support and information to all healthcare personnel, patients and visitors to minimize the spread of infection. 
• Conducting 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. 
• Taking 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. 

Education and Training 

• Developing training programmes in keeping with local priorities and national directives.
• Conducting education and training programmes for all levels and disciplines of staff
• Providing infection control resources for staff, patients and visitors and promotes interest in the control of infection. 
• Educating, advising and informing patients, visitors and members of the general public on infection prevention and control. 

Research 

• Initiating and carrying out infection control research. 
• Supporting infection control research and encourages stakeholders. 
• Participating in nursing and multi-disciplinary research. 
• Preparing and documenting infection control data of an administrative and clinical nature with appropriate analysis, interpretation and recommendations. 

Policies and Procedures 

• Adhering to administrative and nursing policies and practices of infection control.
• Complying with the organization’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 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