Infection Preventionist

• Develop and maintain a learning culture amongst nurses, particularly in the specialist field in which they work.

• Be an expert registered nurse s with advanced education, training or certification in their specialized area of practice. Specialty practice may be defined by population, clinical setting a disease/medical subspecialty and type of care or type of problem.

• Be a role model and always seek to improve the safety and quality of care delivered to patients in the specialist field.

• Be a member of the interprofessional team as a subject matter expert in his/ her field of specialization.

• Support and lead audit and data collection in their area of specialisation for KPIs and benchmarking.

• Support the nurse educator with training programs, training needs analysis within the specialised field.

• Support patient care, educating patients and the public about various health conditions, and providing advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.

• Develops problem solving and decision-making skills.

• Serves as a resource person regarding policy, procedure, and standards.

• Conduct Infection Control link nurses’ meetings, prepare Minutes and submit to Head of PCID for approval.

• Develop, revise, and implement plans to facilitate goal attainment Values differences by listening to and appreciating others’ points of view.

• Establish quality criteria, identify and maintain Key Performance Indicators against which infection control practice can be measured in line with evidence-based data and standards set by CDC and JCI.

• Recommend space, technology, equipment, staffing and other resources needed by the department or service.

OPERATIONAL

• Ensures that all infection prevention and control policies, guidelines and protocols are evidence based and are updated as required.
• Implements an efficient surveillance programs system to facilitate the prompt identification of patients and staff with infection in line with NMC Royal Hospital Infection Control Program.
• Ensures that satisfactory structures are in place for the prevention and control of Infection
• Acts as specialist resource in providing infection prevention and control knowledge and expertise to healthcare staff.

• Coordinates and direct daily infection prevention and control practices.
• Advise on isolation and cohort methods and supervise the implementation of such techniques in specific situations.
• Maintain effective communication structures and networks which ensure that infection prevention and control information is conveyed effectively.
• Make recommendations for change and improvements in infection prevention and control practice. Plan, negotiate, implement and evaluate any changes necessary.
• Promote good inter-professional teamwork.
• Ensure cost effectiveness is encompassed as criteria in all decision making relating to infection control.
• Implements health promotion strategies for patients in accordance with MOH.
• Collaborate with other members of the health care team in the hospital and ensure that a standardized approach to infection prevention control is maintained.
• Actively promotes best practice through Infection prevention and control Committees.
• Provides mentorship, preceptorship, teaching, facilitation and professional supervisory skills for nurses, midwives and other employees.
• Monitor and critically evaluate the practices and resources used through audit and risk management.
• Participate in the implementation and evaluation of interdisciplinary audit systems in relation to Infection Prevention and Control. Uses the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.
• Provide feedback through verbal and written reporting
• Evaluates equipment and products, which may impact on infection control practice and patient care.
• Develops cohesive links with other infection control nurse specialists in the MOH
• Preventive Medicine to ensure that infection prevention and control programs are in line with MOH.
• Collates and record relevant data and information and present progress reports on an ongoing basis as required.
• Coordinate Infection Prevention and Control Committee meetings and maintain all Meeting minutes. To provide accurate, timely and relevant information on control of infection as requested by the Infection Control Committee and others as appropriate.
• Prepare an annual programme and report it in PCI Committee.
• Advises and participates in the procurement, commissioning, tendering and purchasing of patient care and medical equipment as pertaining to infection Prevention and control.
• Participate in quality improvement initiative for the enhancement of patient care.
• Supports administration with employee health databases, maintains complete and accurate employee health records.
• Ensures vaccination of staff, follow up on infectious diseases, sharp injuries, potential exposure of blood/body fluid/chemical.
• Reports any untoward incident or accident on the hospital premises involving a patient, visitor or staff member.
• Conduct risk assessments at least annually and as needed.
• Designs, implements and evaluates programs of infection prevention and control education, which meet the needs of all healthcare staff during orientation and annually thereafter. Maintain training records of employees.
• Participates as a member of various Committees and advises them in relation to Infection Prevention and Control
• Provides advice on the safe decontamination of reusable surgical instruments and medical devices as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Provide an ongoing educational resource on Infection Prevention and Control to meet the identified needs of staff.
• Liaise with the project development/technical services teams on issues pertinent to Infection prevention and control.
• Ensures Preventive Medicine is informed of any communicable disease as specified in Federal Law.

• Have an appropriate license to work as a registered nurse in the relevant regulatory health authority with all the qualifications and experience these mandates.
• Hold a valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support Provider card.
• Hold a post-graduate specialist qualification, diploma, degree, or masters in the specialty.
• Manage their own professional re-licensure.
• Be willing to work across departments when necessary.
• Be able to communicate clearly and effectively in English (spoken and written)
• Have previous experience within the specialist field.
• Have completed the relevant competencies within the specialist field.