Infection Prevention Specialist - Empangeni - Abantu Staffing Solutions

Description

Job Title: Infection Prevention and Control Specialist

Description:

This position is based within a private hospital in Empangeni, reporting to the Nursing Standard Manager. The focus of this role is to identify, manage, mitigate and evaluate infection prevention risks to patients, employees, and the community and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Execute the hospital infection prevention strategy by developing and implementing 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 and audit findings, and 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 and storage department, catering, healthcare risk waste, internal infection and prevention control audit), and hazardous biological agent risk assessment.

Participate in and manage the close out of findings of the Department of Health inspection.

Participate in and manage the close out of findings of external and internal QMS reviews.

All close-outs from internal audits, external audits and inspections are monitored and evaluated for effectiveness at Management and Quality Review meetings.

Surveillance and Reporting:

Patient and environmental risks identified and mitigated.

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 Management, Unit Managers, Medical Advisory Committee, and Quality Review Committee.

Occupation Exposure:

Occupational risks identified and mitigated.

Ensure that Hep B programme is offered to all HCW's.

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.

Infection Prevention Practice:

Technical and professional competence in infection prevention at business unit level.

Keep knowledge updated and abreast of international best practice in infection prevention.

Provide subject matter knowledge and advise to the business unit.

Facilitate standard and ad-hoc training as required to align business unit to organizational training strategy.

Identify the risk profile of each unit and design and coordinate an appropriate in-service training strategy with the enabling team for the business unit.

Induct new employees in infection prevention and occupational health risk.

Outbreak Management:

Patient, employee and environmental risks identified and mitigated.

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.

Competencies:

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