Minimum Required Qualification and Experience:
- Registered Nurse with a minimum of three (3) years’ experience.
- Certificate in Midwifery
- Specialized training in Infection Prevention and Control
- Certificate in Nursing Management
- Three (3) years professional practice at a supervisory level
Specific Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- 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
Key responsibilities will include but not limited:
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 i.e. Hospital Administration, Health Department
- Administration, 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, clients 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 prevention and control advice, support and information to all healthcare personnel, patients, clients 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, clients, relatives and care givers who have acquired an infection whilst in hospital or health centre 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 Prevention and 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 and control.
- 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 & 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 prevention and control resources for staff, patients, clients, visitors and promotes interest in the control of infection.
- Educates, advises and informs patients, clients, 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 Prevention and Control team members and develops research topics. Implement research programmes, analyze and present findings.
Specific Conditions Associated with the Job:
- Required to stand and walk for extended hours
ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED
