My client, a leading Private Hospital Group, is looking for a Senior Infection Control Co-ordinator for their facility in Parktown West in Johannesburg.

ROLE SUMMARY
The role of the Lead Infection Control Coordinator is to advise, aid and assist Infection Control Co-ordinators and hospital employees in the management of prevention, identification and control of infection in patients and staff
The incumbent will further be responsible to plan, develop and implement an infection control programme for the hospital using basic infection control standards.

KEY WORK OUTPUT AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. Infection Prevention
Differentiate among colonisation, infection and contamination
Identify occurrence, reservoirs, incubation periods, periods of communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms and susceptibility
associated with the disease process
Interpret results of diagnostic/laboratory results
Recognise limitations and advantages of type of tests used to diagnose infectious processes
Recognise epidemiologically significant organisms for immediate review and investigation
Differentiate among prophylactic, empiric and therapeutic use of antimicrobials
Identify indications for environmental microbiological monitoring
Co-ordinate implementation of appropriate infection control isolation protocol

2. Surveillance and epidemiologic investigations
Design surveillance systems
Collect and compile surveillance data
Interpret surveillance data
Conduct outbreak investigation

3. Preventing Controlling the transmission of infectious agents
Develop and review infection prevention and control policies and procedures
Collaborate with Department of health in response to communicable diseases
Identify and implement infection prevention and control strategies related to quality improvement, facility and equipment management

4. Management and Communication
Planning: Conduct risk assessments for the site
Develop, evaluate and revise goals and objectives for infection prevention
Recommend specific equipment, personnel and resources for the infection prevention and control program
Recommend changes in practice based on clinical outcome and financial implications
Co-ordinate and attend Hospital Infection Control Committee
Collaborate with risk management and quality management in the identification and review of adverse events
Evaluate accreditation and regulatory issues and facilitate compliance
Quality/performance improvement and patient safety
Co-ordinate and drive quality improvement in infection prevention and control
Demonstrate QIP projects utilising the quality methodology

5. Education and Training
Prepare, present or co-ordinate educational workshops, lectures, discussion, orientation programs and individual discussions on a variety of
infection prevention and control topics
Provide information on the topic to patients, family and general public when required
Research: Apply critical reading skills to evaluate research findings
Incorporate research findings into practice through education and consultation

6. Occupational Health Management
Review and/or develop screening and immunisation programs
Provide counselling, follow up work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable disease or following exposure
Assist with analysis and trending of occupational exposure incidents and information exchange between Occupational Health and Infection
Prevention and Control department
Assess risk of occupational exposure to infectious diseases

7. Personal and professional development
Active involvement in own professional development to maintain a satisfactory level of skill and knowledge
Keep up to date with Netcare’s evolving policies and procedures
Attend infection control related seminars to improve own knowledge

8. Build and maintain stakeholder relationships
Work effectively and co-operatively with others to establish and maintain good working relations that are mutually beneficial
Develop collaborative relationships to help accomplish goals 0%

9. Include infection control as a topic in the hospital orientation
programme at all levels and document attendance of training

10. Include infection control in in-service training programme based on a needs analysis and evaluate the training regularly

11. Ensure all nursing staff are familiar with the needle stick injury policy

12. Introduce a programme for the use of new products and equipment from an infection control viewpoint.

SKILLS PROFILE

EDUCATION
Registration with the South African Nursing Council as a registered Nurse or equivalent NQF level 7 qualification
Compliance with the SANC Scope of Practise for a Registered Nurse and all other applicable Health Care Legislation
Diploma in Infection Control

WORK EXPERIENCE

Intermediate computer proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite
Previous exposure to financial budgeting