Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) Manager

Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) Manager - Extendicare Starwood

Candidates are invited to apply for the full-time Out of Scope, Infection Prevention & Control Manager position Extendicare Starwood, 192 bed accredited Long-Term Care home located in Ottawa, Ontario

Reporting directly to the Administrator, the IPAC Manager is an infection prevention & control management expert, manage staff respecting and be accountable for the completion and effectiveness of assessing, planning, implementing, investigation evaluating, and optimizing infection prevention and control and the goals of the IPAC program within the home, and staff performance respecting the IPAC program. The IPAC Manager will also be responsible for carrying out a range of activities related to the surveillance, detection, prevention, and control of infections within the home. This role will also conduct relevant analyses to identify risk factors or outbreaks and develop interventions for the prevention and control of the disease, often in consultation with the IPAC Consultant for the region. This role will facilitate change through application of IPAC standards within the home and provide best practice recommendations with the goal of improving resident outcomes and preventing disease outbreaks.

Responsibilities

• Manages and oversees the LTC home’s IPAC program, consulting with the IPAC Consultant for the region as required in the successful development, implementation, and constant improvement and re-evaluation of the home’s IPAC program.
• As a member of the management team, manages and supervises all staff in relation to the IPAC Program. This includes, direct reports, resident aides and all staff pertaining to recruiting and hiring decisions, job postings and selection, supervision, determining staffing levels, schedules, hours, day off, and overtime approvals, performance management, performance evaluations, conducting workplace investigations and providing coaching, as well as disciplinary action up to and including dismissal when needed.
• Ensures the IPAC program in the home is consistent with standards, best practice and key principles established by applicable provincial standards and protocols and with Extendicare policies and procedures.
• Supervises, performance audits, investigates, evaluates, and performance manages the various roles & interdisciplinary team, responsible for carrying out the IPAC program in the home and chairs all home IPAC Committee meetings.
• Trains staff, residents, and care providers on IPAC standards and practices as outlined by Extendicare policies and procedures and applicable provincial directives at the commencement of their employment, annually, with any change in policies/ practices, as well as upon onset of an infectious disease outbreak in the home;
• Performs regular IPAC audits in the home and leads the investigation of IPAC breaches and makes decisions and implements performance management measures and discipline for staff IPAC breaches and non-compliances.
• Conducts IPAC risk assessments in the home, and leads development of corrective plans of action, reporting on progress at the IPAC Committee meetings quarterly.
• Represents the home as the point of contact with local public health units, Extendicare corporate IPAC consultants and Hospital IPAC partners.
• In partnership with the Administrator/Executive Director and IPAC Consultant establishes the IPAC Program budget for the home and then maintains that budget. This includes oversight on emergency stockpile inventory in the home, including personal protective equipment (PPE), and other critical supplies required in an outbreak (e.g., testing supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.);
• Attend and fully participate in management team meetings and decisions respecting staff and labour relations and maintain confidentiality respecting staff and labour relations issues, including but not limited to: managing grievances by responding to step 1 and step 2 hearings, representing management during labour management meetings (LMM) and acts as a strategic resource and/or member of the bargaining committee representing the employer.
• Assumes role of on duty manager of home in rotation with other management team members.
• Manage and assists with the development of the IPAC budget in partnership with the Operations and Finance and the IPAC Consultant.
• Manage the mask fit testing process for all staff in the home and ensure retesting requirements are maintained and tracked as per policy.
• Coordinates and manages staff respecting the implementation of any immunization programs, including reporting and data collection to corporate IPAC program for trending and analysis.
• Initiates and leads outbreak management protocols for the home in partnership with the IPAC Consultant.
• Oversees and manages staff respecting any required surveillance, testing, and contact tracing associated with infectious disease outbreaks in the home, in partnership with the local public health unit and local hospital (as appropriate);
• Management representative on Joint Health and Safety Committee and participates in all internal workplace inspections as part of the committee.
• Manages internal surveillance and monitoring processes and the staff implementing or required to comply with those processes, including internal line listing, and related outbreak management requirements.
• Manages and conducts outbreak management meetings within the home and in partnership with the local public health unit and corporate IPAC consultants.
• Manages and conducts regular and proactive communication with residents, families and staff related to infectious diseases outbreaks and protocols.
• In partnership with the Administrator/Executive Director and regional IPAC Consultant, ensures that the outbreak management protocol and pandemic plan are reviewed and evaluated annually in alignment with Extendicare’s policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required (BSc. Health Sciences, Microbiology, Life Science, Biochemistry, etc and/or Adult Education)
• 3-5 years’ experience working in health care, including public health sector, and 2-3 years in an IPAC lead or supervisory capacity.
• LTC home operational experience, considered an asset.
• Current Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is mandatory
• Demonstrated working knowledge of infection prevention control principles and practices.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, including provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and other provincial Acts/Guidelines/Regulations.
• Experience training health professionals using adult learning principles, practices and techniques
• Strong organization skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications.
• Proficient computer skills including the use of health care information systems (e.g., PointClickCare) and sufficient ability using Microsoft Excel to create and manage line lists for outbreak management.
• Ability to make decisions in a timely manner using data and best practices related to the precautionary principle.

Time Type:

Extendicare and affiliated organizations including our partner homes in Extendicare Assist, accommodate the needs of job applicants throughout its recruitment and selection processes upon request.