Infection Control Coordinator - Pietermaritzburg, South Africa - Aloecrest Health Medical Hospital

Description

The role of the Lead Infection Control Coordinator is to aid and assist and hospital employees in the management of prevention, identification and control of infection in patients and staff The incumbent will further assist in planning, developing and implementing an infection control programme for the hospital using basic infection control standards.

• 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
• Coordinate implementation of appropriate infection control isolation protocol
• Surveillance and epidemiologic investigations
• Design surveillance systems
• Collect and compile surveillance data
• Interpret surveillance data
• Conduct outbreak investigation
• 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
• 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
• Coordinate 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
• Coordinate and drive quality improvement in infection prevention and control
• Demonstrate QIP projects utilising the quality methodology
• Education and Training
• Prepare, present or coordinate 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
• Incorporate research findings into practice through education and consultation
• 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
• Personal and professional development
• Active involvement in own professional development to maintain a satisfactory level of skill and knowledge
• Keep up to date with Aloecrest's evolving policies and procedures
• Attend infection control related seminars to improve own knowledge
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships
• Work effectively and cooperatively with others to establish and maintain good working relations that are mutually beneficial
• Develop collaborative relationships to help accomplish goals

• 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

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

• SAP
• IMT

• Diploma (preferred)