Infection Control Nurse (HPC/RN 4) – Percy Junor Hospital

Job Purpose

Within the scope of the infection control team the post holder 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. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Management/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 ie 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.

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 

Education & 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 

TECHNICAL/ FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of Public Health and Epidemiology 
• Knowledge of current trends in Infection Prevention and Control 
• Skill in conducting audits of compliance 
• Ability to institute and conduct Risk Assessment 
• Knowledge of techniques for data collection. 
• Skill in conducting disease surveillance 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• Required to stand and walk for extended hours 

NB. ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED