IPAC Specialist and Public Health Liaison Officer

at  SOUTHBRIDGE HOMES

Southbridge Care Homes owns and operates several Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes throughout many urban and rural areas of Ontario.
We are currently hiring for an IPAC Specialist and Public Health Liaison Officer to work out of our Southbridge London Home.
As the focal person for public health initiatives, the IPAC Specialist and Public Health Liaison Officer will be responsible to carry out inspections, investigations, education on matters related to infection prevention and control and public health with primarily focus on food safety, water quality, safe environment of care, outbreak control and emergency preparedness to align with the provisions of the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
He or she will also be responsible for carrying out a broad and complex range of investigative epidemiologic activities related to surveillance and conduct relevant analyses to identify disease trends, risk factors, clusters or outbreaks and develop interventions for the prevention and control of diseases. Facilitate change through interpretation and application of standards and provide best practice recommendations with the goal of improving resident outcome and preventing disease outbreaks.

Responsibilities

• Reporting to the VP for IPAC, the IPAC Specialist and Public Health Liaison Officer is responsible for the coordination, implementation and oversight of the IPAC program of homes in his or her region.
• Conduct inspection of homes to assess compliance with pertinent acts and regulations, e.g., the health protection and promotion act.
• Ensure the home is in compliance with the infection control guidelines mandated by the Long-Term Care Homes Act.
• Lead the management of outbreaks in collaboration with the local health unit.
• Support homes in infection surveillance and develop monthly surveillance reports.
• Contribute to the development of IPAC policies and procedures.
• May support the home level IPAC Lead to chair IPAC committee meetings and strengthen relationship with the local public health units.
• Analyze trends, risk factors, and evaluate prevention and control strategies.
• Monitor local, provincial, national and international trends in epidemiologic activity and advise in a timely manner.
• Audit and educate staff on the principles and practices of infection prevention and act as a resource regarding infection prevention and control.
• Coordinate and lead the roll-out of all vaccination campaign activities.
• Actively participate in regional IPAC hubs and other community of practice.
• Review IPAC audits reports; lead the investigations of IPAC breaches, conduct IPAC risk assessments, and ensure the development of corrective plan of action.
• Lead the implementation of changes mandated by regulatory, accrediting, and licensing agencies (includes reporting communicable diseases to the local public health).
• Support occupational health and safety programs in the homes.
• Provide expert guidance on facility design, maintenance and construction projects to promote resident safety.
• Provide general IPAC consultation to the homes and be accountable for the success of the IPAC program in the assigned homes.
• Analyze and interpret public health data to guide decisions and policy.
• Monitor and report on public health trends and issues and provide advise as appropriate control strategies.

Skills, Abilities, Work Demands

• Demonstrated knowledge of infection control principles and employee health and wellness programs.
• Solid understanding of relevant LTC and ministry of health legislations.
• Have knowledge and understanding of PHO’s mandate, relevant legislation such as the HPPA and the Ontario Public Health Standards.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Proficient computer skills including the use of health care information systems and database creation.
• Demonstrate compassion in a courteous, caring and respectful manner towards residents, staff and visitors while maintaining resident confidentiality.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.

The ideal candidate will have one (1) of the following qualifications and skills:

• RN/RPN degree or diploma.
• Bachelor’s degree in other healthcare related field, e.g., Microbiology, Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Science, Medicine or Occupational Health.

• Reporting to the VP for IPAC, the IPAC Specialist and Public Health Liaison Officer is responsible for the coordination, implementation and oversight of the IPAC program of homes in his or her region.
• Conduct inspection of homes to assess compliance with pertinent acts and regulations, e.g., the health protection and promotion act.
• Ensure the home is in compliance with the infection control guidelines mandated by the Long-Term Care Homes Act.
• Lead the management of outbreaks in collaboration with the local health unit.
• Support homes in infection surveillance and develop monthly surveillance reports.
• Contribute to the development of IPAC policies and procedures.
• May support the home level IPAC Lead to chair IPAC committee meetings and strengthen relationship with the local public health units.
• Analyze trends, risk factors, and evaluate prevention and control strategies.
• Monitor local, provincial, national and international trends in epidemiologic activity and advise in a timely manner.
• Audit and educate staff on the principles and practices of infection prevention and act as a resource regarding infection prevention and control.
• Coordinate and lead the roll-out of all vaccination campaign activities.
• Actively participate in regional IPAC hubs and other community of practice.
• Review IPAC audits reports; lead the investigations of IPAC breaches, conduct IPAC risk assessments, and ensure the development of corrective plan of action.
• Lead the implementation of changes mandated by regulatory, accrediting, and licensing agencies (includes reporting communicable diseases to the local public health).
• Support occupational health and safety programs in the homes.
• Provide expert guidance on facility design, maintenance and construction projects to promote resident safety.
• Provide general IPAC consultation to the homes and be accountable for the success of the IPAC program in the assigned homes.
• Analyze and interpret public health data to guide decisions and policy.
• Monitor and report on public health trends and issues and provide advise as appropriate control strategies