Infection Control Nurse (HPC/RN 4) - Western Child And Adolescent Hospital

JOB PURPOSE

 Under the direct supervision of the Director of Nursing Services, the incumbent will operationally lead the prevention and control of infection within the 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. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

Administrative 

• Lead the development of an Annual Infection Prevention and Control work plan reflecting the priorities identified through the audits conducted. 
• Lead the compilation of Infection Control Reports as appropriate. 
• Report 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. 
• Lead the development and implementation of an annual audit (more frequent if necessary). This includes the development of audit tools, data collection, analysis and dissemination.
• Contribute to and participate in national programmes of audit and research on communicable and non-communicable diseases. 
• Evaluate and monitor new infection prevention and control programmes. 
• Schedule and facilitate the timely meetings of the Infection Control Committee.
• Update the Infection Control committee on new epidemiologic trends and points of interest in relation to diseases and infections. 
• Assist 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.
• Institute a system for Risk Assessment of patients and staff regarding infection control.
• Ensure its implementation in all clinical areas in line with evidence-based practice.
• Ensure that prevention and control of infection is a component of all related programmes, including procurement of items, maintenance etc. 
• Establish and manage a clinical equipment cleaning system with the requisite tools for documentation. 

Clinical 

• Provide infection control advice, support and information to all healthcare personnel, patients and visitors to minimize the spread of infection. 
• Conduct 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. 
• Take lead responsibility for the Infection Control Manual. 
• Ensure all necessary policies and procedures are developed, updated and disseminated.
• Ensure all staff have access to the infection control manual and that infection control procedures are implemented and maintained effectively throughout the hospital. 
• Monitor the implementation of the manual by constructing and leading audits of compliance and programme improvements. 
• Ensure all clinical and non-clinical services meet and comply with standards related to infection prevention. 
• Participate in the investigation of outbreaks of infections with particular reference to source and mode of spread. 
• Advise relevant health personnel on pertinent measures for control in conjunction with other Infection Control Team members. 
• Investigate complaints and adverse incidents which have implications for cross infection and institutes the necessary changes for service improvement. 
• Institute appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff, including relevant actions to mitigate risks and manage hazards. 
• Appraise the state of environmental cleanliness by liaising with Departmental Manager and Ward Sister. 
• Investigate 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 

• Develop training programmes in keeping with local priorities and national directives.
• Conduct education and training programmes for all levels and disciplines of staff
• Provide infection control resources for staff, patients and visitors and promotes interest in the control of infection. 
• Educate, advise and inform patients, visitors and members of the general public on infection prevention and control. 
• Conduct workshops, seminars, lectures that explicate the impact of communicable/infectious diseases on the specific duties of health care personnel. 
• Liaise with Infection Control team members and develops research topics, implement research programmes, analyse and present findings. 

Research 

• Initiate and carry out infection control research. 
• Support infection control research and encourage stakeholders. 
• Participate in nursing and multi-disciplinary research. 
• Prepare and document infection control data of an administrative and clinical nature with appropriate analysis, interpretation and recommendations. 

Customer Relations 

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

Policies and Procedures 

• Adhere to administrative and nursing policies and practices of infection control.
• Comply 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 benefit 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.

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE:

• 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.
• Approved certification in Nursing Administration (course duration should not be less than four (4) months). 
• Certification in Infection Control - Internal and External Contacts. 

ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED