Infection Prevention Specialist

A vacancy exists for an Infection Prevention Specialist based at Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital, reporting to Carina Griessel, Senior Nurse Manager. The role involves identifying, managing, mitigating, and evaluating infection prevention risks to patients, employees, and the community.

Critical Outputs

1. Execute the hospital infection prevention strategy:
   • A well communicated and effective strategy with clearly defined objectives in line with organizational requirements.
   • Implement an infection prevention plan aligned to the business objectives of the business unit; based on historic facility experience, incidents, audit findings, and Life Healthcare national targets.
   • Lead the Infection Prevention Committee and direct reporting, investigation, root cause analysis, trending, and actions of all infection-related incidents or risks.
   • Set the business unit Infection Prevention targets with the Nursing team.
   • Comply with legal and company requirements through internal audits (laundry, sterilization, storage department, catering, healthcare risk waste, internal infection and prevention control audit), and the hazardous biological agent risk assessment.
   • Participate in and manage the close out of findings from the Department of Health inspection.
   • Participate in and manage the close out of findings from external and internal QMS reviews.
   • All close outs from internal audits, external audits, and inspections are monitored and evaluated for effectiveness at MANCO and Quality Review meetings.
2. Surveillance and reporting to minimize infection prevention risk:
   • Identify and mitigate patient and environmental risks.
   • Monitor and assess high-risk patients to minimize infection risk.
   • Monitor and assess the environment to identify and minimize infection risk.
   • Consult with relevant subject matter experts to take appropriate remedial action and monitor effectiveness.
   • Communicate infection risks, trends, and actions to MANCO, Unit Managers, Medical Advisory Committee, and Quality Review Committee.
3. Identify, minimize, and manage occupational exposure to hazardous biological agents:
   • Identify and mitigate occupational risks.
   • Ensure that the Hep B program is offered to all HCWs.
   • Monitor and evaluate the placement of high-risk employees to minimize occupational health risks.
   • Monitor and evaluate the environment to identify and minimize occupational health risks.
   • Consult with relevant subject matter experts to take appropriate remedial action and monitor effectiveness.
4. Ensure excellence in infection prevention practice:
   • Maintain technical and professional competence in infection prevention at the business unit level.
   • Keep knowledge updated and abreast of international best practices in infection prevention.
   • Provide subject matter knowledge and advice to the business unit.
   • Facilitate standard and ad hoc training as required to align the business unit with the organizational training strategy.
   • Identify the risk profile of each unit and design and coordinate an appropriate in-service training strategy.
   • Induct new employees in infection prevention and occupational health risk.
5. Manage internal and external outbreaks to minimize risk:
   • Identify and mitigate patient, employee, and environmental risks.
   • As a member of the Emergency Action committee, annually review the Outbreak Management Process in the hospital emergency plan.
   • In the event of an outbreak, lead the outbreak task team to control the outbreak and minimize further risk.
   • Communicate the outbreak status, epidemiology, risk, prevention measures, and impact to internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Qualified Infection Prevention and Control Specialist.
• Sound clinical infection prevention knowledge.
• Experience in a specialist unit is advantageous.
• Under exceptional circumstances, a strong motivation from the Nurse Manager and Regional Nurse Manager may be submitted to the SA Nursing Executive for consideration.
• If not trained, the candidate must agree to enroll in the LHC certificate course immediately.
• Agree to complete the 2-day job profile induction program (within 1 month) and the 3-day IP introductory course (within 3 months).
• Excellent basic computer skills (Microsoft Office).
• Understanding of the private healthcare industry.

Competencies

• Leadership skills
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Practical Execution
• Building Relationships
• Communication
• Knowledge Management
• Rule Orientation
• Research Skills
• Ethical Behaviour
• Leading by Example
• Resilience
• Influencing
• Customer Responsiveness

Email: debra.choice@lifehealthcare.co.za

Closing date: Monday, February 10, 2025

Internal applicants - Before making an application, you are requested to discuss your application with your line manager. External candidates will also be considered.

Life Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date of this advert should consider their application as unsuccessful.