Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner - Hospital (Full-Time)

Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner

Full-Time, Non-Union

#R/25-128

The Job Summary:

The IPAC Practitioner (IPACP) has responsibility for supporting IPAC across the organization, as well as direct accountability for IPAC for hospital and Community and Support Services programs. The IPACP is a member of the healthcare team, and reports to the Director of Clinical Services. Weekend and after hours may be required.

Key Accountabilities & Success Criteria:

• The IPACP is responsible for developing the facility’s infection prevention program with the support of the LTC IPACP.
• Accountable for implementing, monitoring and evaluating the infection prevention program that is delivered through collaborative leadership with the LTC-IPACP to ensure consistency in approaches and practices.
• Directs members of the clinical teams in IPAC management, isolation and medical recommendations and requirements for infection and symptom management.
• Manages aspects of outbreaks and collaborates with external shareholders e.g. Public Health, Ministry of LTC Compliance
• Ensures that existing Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) best practice guidelines and IPAC guidelines of applicable professional organizations and regulatory and governmental agencies are incorporated into the programs (post-acute care, long-term care, community support services) and makes recommendations to leadership for improvements.
• Use continuous quality improvement techniques and project management approaches to continuously improve client care procedures and control mechanisms related to quality, compliance and infection prevention.
• Reviews relevant public health issues to integrate into practice, serves as an advisor and resource person regarding infection prevention issues for all SJHCG programs, collaborates with other healthcare professionals within and outside of the facility, and is responsible for implementing infection prevention education programs.
• Incorporates the principles of fiscal responsibility into practice and promotes the standards of advanced professional practice.
• Collects and analyzes healthcare-associated infection data to identify trends and risk factors, investigates incidents of infections and reports such incidents to the appropriate person/department, discusses and monitors infection prevention practices with staff members and conducts outbreak investigations and audits.
• Make recommendations to interdisciplinary teams and leaders regarding the prevention and control of infections.
• Lead surveillance and exposure investigations in order to implement measures to prevent/control transmission of infectious agents.
• Risk manages and communicates with leaders and staff members regarding the management of infectious patients/residents and other infection prevention approaches.
• Coordinate the annual infection control risk assessment in conjunction with the Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPAC).
• Develop and implementing the annual infection prevention plan in conjunction with the infection prevention and control committee.
• Evaluate the annual plan for goal achievement in conjunction with the Infection prevention and control committee.
• Ensure the completion of IPAC audits regarding the implementation of and compliance with selected policies.
• Consult on infection risk assessment prevention and control strategies.
• Work with education leads in providing training and orientation for all staff members and independent practitioners regarding the prevention of Hospital Acquired Infections and IPAC core competencies.
• Coordinate with the Employee Health Services regarding relevant staff member health issues.
• Is a member of IPAC Committee and other designated committees e.g. community Public Health hubs, OHA programs
• Assess and analyze internal and external data in order to successfully implement best practices.
• Coordinate with clinical teams and environmental services regarding the development of standards, audits, and research.
• Conduct surveillance of Hospital Acquired Infections data and monitoring trends for the organization.
• Prepare reports and statistical data for the infection control committee, medical staff committees, program managers, quality and risk and the facility’s administration and other committees as needed.
• Identify opportunities for organization wide infection prevention improvements based upon evidence based practices, regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, and data analysis of high-risk, high-volume infection prevention prone activities.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, department managers, supervisors, employee health and other professional/nonprofessional staff to provide resource information, resolve infection control issues and identify new opportunities to improve service and reduce cost.
• Liase with Public Health Unit regarding infectious and communicable disease reporting and disseminating Public Health direction to stakeholder groups
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives that support client safety

Qualifications:

• Experience in Infection Prevention and Control in a healthcare setting
• Current registration with the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) or meets eligibility criteria with plans to obtain certification within 3 years of hire and maintain certification.
• Degree in health related discipline (e.g. nursing, laboratory, epidemiology, and other allied health) or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrates strong IPAC knowledge and experience in related areas of infectious diseases, microbiology, epidemiology, statistics, asepsis; disinfection/sterilization; outbreak management
• Will attend seminars/in-services for upgrading skills at the direction of the Director of Clinical Services.
• Highly collaborative professional individual who demonstrates the ability to build strong working relationships with both internal and external shareholders.
• Working knowledge of evidence-based and nursing practice and theory and demonstrates putting these into practice.
• Ability to think critically in complex and stressful situations, and strong conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to foster a collaborative team approach for decision-making.
• Ability to use adult learning techniques in the delivery of formal learning/training sessions and presentations using adult learning techniques to regional groupings of shareholders.
• Strong ability to apply project management and quality improvement methods and tools to IPAC and quality improvement projects.
• Proficiency with various computer systems and software programs including database management, word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications, (MS Office).
• Ability to independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and be adaptable and flexible in order to meet the demands of their ever-changing environment.
• Strong ability in conducting complex investigations and root cause analysis required
• Expertise supporting organizational change through strategic thinking and organizational behavior/change management principles
• Excellent communication, report-writing and presentation skills; critical thinking, problem-solving and negotiation skills
• Superior professional judgment, diplomacy and relationship building skills.

It’s a great time to help shape how health care is delivered in Ontario. To apply to this exciting opportunity, please submit a curriculum vitae in confidence, outlining how your knowledge, experience and personal attributes are a good fit with the requirements of this position and the values of St. Joseph's Health Centre Guelph here: External Opportunities - St. Joseph's Health Centre Guelph by Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11:59PM.

St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph is an equal opportunity employer and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, facilities, and people. St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free, accessible organization, and will work to accommodate any needs under the Accessibility for Ontario for Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] for assistance. If the applicant requires a specific accommodation because of a disability during an interview, the applicant will need to advise the hiring manager when scheduling the interview and the appropriate accommodations can be made.

We appreciate all responses; however, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.