Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner - Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH)

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and is home to six Métis Chartered Communities.

Our team of nearly 45,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care. Learn more.

We are currently looking to fill a Relief Part Time opportunity for a Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner at Surrey Memorial Hospital located in Surrey, BC. This relief role is available until May 2024 or until return of incumbent.

Come work with us!

Fraser Health is proudly recognized as a BC Top Employer. Joining our team offers you opportunities to work in a rapidly growing organization with health professionals who are excellent in their respective fields, career growth and advancement, a competitive compensation package (including four weeks of vacation to start, comprehensive health benefits, and pension plan), and the rewarding opportunity to make a difference every single day in health care.

Effective October 26, 2021 all staff for all positions across health care in British Columbia are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and there are no exceptions.

Fraser Health values diversity in the work force and strives to maintain an environment of Respect, Caring and Trust. Fraser Health’s hiring practices aspire to ensure all individuals are treated in an inclusive, equitable, and culturally safe manner.

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Under the direction of the Manager, Clinical Operations, the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Practitioner facilitates the implementation, operations and maintenance of the infection prevention and control program for Fraser Health (FH). The IPC Practitioner provides support and education on IPC policies, standards, best practices and guidelines. Acts as a resource and reviews opportunities for IPC improvement and follows up on occurrences of infection transmission within acute care sites and units. This is a multi-site position that will be expected to carry out duties at various sites throughout Fraser Health.

1. Conducts infection surveillance, involving data collection, documentation, analysis and reporting. Identifies problem areas and infection risks; reviews processes and other contributing factors to evaluate root causes of infections; and recommends both immediate interventions as well as sustainable corrective action.
2. In collaboration with IPC Specialists, develops implements and evaluates infection prevention and control initiatives, policies, procedures and guidelines. Provides orientation, education and/or mentorship to other IPC Practitioners, educators, healthcare providers, support and volunteer services, as well as third party providers on FH infection control processes.
3. Conducts investigative audits in conjunction with healthcare professionals; collects relevant data from a variety of sources. Analyzes and communicates audit results in relation to infection rates; provides comprehensive reports to IPC Program Leadership, Site leadership teams, and other stakeholders. Works in collaboration with IPC Specialists on recommendations for remediation, and in conjunction with frontline leaders to implement improvements and/or changes in practices.
4. Provides expertise at the sites for alerts, outbreaks and on outbreak management calls following established procedures and protocols. Prepares and presents status reports to Site Leadership, Local IPC Committee, and IPC program leadership. Advises on control measures, reviews practices, communicates events, receive and compiles line lists for reports on the nature of the incident, making recommendations for future control/avoidance of same.
5. Provides consultation and acts as a resource to healthcare professionals, third party providers, and patients and families on infection prevention and control issues, policies, best practices and standards. Assists in the analysis and resolution of infection control issues, and advises on appropriate infection control methods, processes and techniques.
6. As part of outbreak management process, collaborates with FH Workplace Health.
7. Reports communicable diseases to Public Health and follows up on patient contacts within the site under the direction of the medical microbiologists.
8. Advises and collaborates with facility-planning and maintenance personnel on the integration of pertinent regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards for site-level emergencies (e.g. floods), construction projects and renovation initiatives.
9. Identifies own learning goals and maintains and updates current clinical competence and knowledge within area of practice.
10. In collaboration with stakeholders develops a quality improvement plan for corrective action based on site infection and control risks.
11. Reports adverse events utilizing the Patient Safety Learning System.
12.  Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to participate in designated professional or operational committees. Participates in special projects in conjunction with multi-disciplinary teams.
13. Assists the IPC Program Manager, Clinical Operations by attending panel interviews, and provides recommendations on the selection of new staff.
14. Performs other related duties as assigned by IPC Program Manager, Clinical Operations.

Education and Experience

Current practicing registration as a Registered Nurse with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Three years' recent related acute care clinical experience which includes one (1) year's demonstrated recent experience working directly with infection control processes, policies, activities, including the facilitation of work teams, projects, and quality improvement initiatives. Completion of, or current enrollment in, an approved IPAC Canada sponsored and endorsed Infection Control course.

Current valid Class V BC Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle for business related purposes.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of epidemiological principles, statistics, medical/clinical microbiology, and infectious diseases, patient care practices and application of continuous quality improvement.
• Knowledge of the interrelationships between Acute, Residential, Community Health and Public Health resources in the health delivery system.
• Demonstrated ability to use factual information, prior learning and basic principles and procedures to support infection control decisions and actions with relevant research-based evidence/evidence informed practice.
• Experience communicating effectively with patients, families/support person, the public, medical staff, members of the multi-disciplinary care team, and other stakeholders, using professional verbal, written and electronic communication means.
• Ability to think conceptually, strategically, and systematically.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to collaborate with and promote cooperation among members of the multi-disciplinary care team and all identified stakeholders.
• Experience assessing site educational needs and develop, implement and evaluate effectiveness of educational programs.
• Experience in integrating and evaluating data from multiple sources to problem-solve effectively.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work in a continuously changing environment.
• Ability to deal with and promote change.
• Experience in facilitating, consulting, presenting, and teaching.
• Ability to influence leaders, including physicians and staff at all levels.
• Experience operating related equipment, including relevant computer software applications.
• Knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention
• Knowledge of population health theories
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.