Infection Control Officer

**Responsibilities**

Provides direction to the organizational IPC strategy.

With appropriate collaboration, designs, coordinates and directs the development of comprehensive IPC Plans/Programs.

Continuously evaluates and improves the IPC Plans/Programs based on internal needs and external requirements and standards.

Establishes a facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections of patients and families, employees, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread.

Mitigates risks contributing to health care associated infections and associated with patient infections present upon admission.

Develops an annual surveillance plan based on the population(s) served, services provided, and analysis of surveillance data.

Utilizes epidemiologic principles according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to conduct surveillance and investigations.

Evaluates and modifies the surveillance plan as necessary.

Report and use surveillance information in a timely manner.

Conducts outbreak investigations.

Maintains a system for reporting possible incidents of communicable diseases to Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) as required.

Oversees the antibiotic stewardship program and monitor patients’ antibiotic use.

Assesses the need for, develop, and present IPC Program in-service education for individual departments, general orientation, and annual review as needed; education includes but is not limited to:

- _Hand hygiene_
- _Standards Precautions_
- _Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization_
- _Use of isolation/barrier precautions when indicated_
- _Patient placement, transfer, and discharge_
- _Environmental hazards_
- _Use of patient care products and medical equipment._
- Assesses the need for, develop, and implement policies and procedures for infection control as required.
- Works with all disciplines and departments in the facility to incorporate infection prevention principles, policies and procedures into their organization.
- Enforces policies prohibiting employees with communicable diseases or infected skin lesions from direct contact with patients and their food and enforces hand hygiene policies consistent with accepted standards of practices.
- Monitors for compliance with all policies, procedures, protocols another IPC Program requirements.
- Monitors and analyzes process and outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability.
- Assists the facility in selecting the most effective and cost-efficien antiseptics, disinfectants, sterilization methods, waste disposal method, other infection control related products.
- Be accountable for surveillance of healthcare-acquired and communityacquired infections for patients and families, employees, and visitors.
- Maintains current knowledge of local regulations; understands and complies with MOPH infection control guidelines.
- Complies with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at MOPH level.
- Facilitates compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
- Maintains positive and effective working relationships within the department/division and with other departments/sections within the facility.
- Facilitates the IPC Committee and participates in other assigned committees/taskforces.
- Provides recommendations and guidelines to the Infection Prevention
- Committee on the infection matters relative to epidemics, endemic or specific problems related to IPC.
- Communicates IPC information and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization as assigned.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

**Occupational Health and Safety**
- Provides consultation to occupational health personnel in the following areas:

- o Occupational health policies and procedures related to IPC._
- o Risk of occupational exposure to infectious disease._
- o Rates and trends of occupational exposures._
- Work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable diseases or following exposure.
- Assists with immunization and screening programs as needed.

**Qualification’s**

Essential:

- Bachelor’s degree in nursing, required.
- Completed specialized training in infection prevention and control, required.
- Recognized ICP certifications such as IC Nurse Certified or Certification in Infection Control (CIC)

Preferred:
**Experience and Skills Required**

Experience required:

- A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in a hospital facility, required.
- A minimum of three (3) years' Experience in Infection Control.
- Basic understanding of care processes provided in multiple areas of the hospital.

Skills required:
The Infection Control Officer should be able to:

- Conduct analysis and formulate conclusions.
- Identify occurrences, reservoirs, incubation periods, periods of communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and susceptibility associated with the infectious dis