POSITION OVERVIEW:
Reporting to Nurse In-charge, the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Coordinator/Nurse is responsible for IPC implementation initiatives in support for Quality Improvement of patient care outcomes and promotion of patient safety. They shall lead the hospital IPC Committee activities and monitoring compliance to IPC through surveillance with the aim of preventing hospital acquired infections. The IPC Coordinator shall work closely with the housekeeping leadership team to ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of environmental hygiene, cleaning and disinfection practices, waste management, and other infection prevention measures within the hospital. This collaboration shall promote adherence to established IPC standards and ensure a safe and hygienic environment for patients, healthcare workers, visitors, and other stakeholders. . They shall liaise with the in-country authorities pertaining to IPC as well as collaborate and liaise with all hospital departments. Act as specialist advisor to all hospital staff where relevant in matters relating to infection prevention/control. The IPC Nurse optimizes patient care through the prevention, surveillance, investigation, liaison, education, research and control of Health Care Acquired Infection (HCAI) .
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Monitoring & Prevention of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI)
Responsible for the monitoring, surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of HAIs.
Investigate outbreaks of infection in the hospital and report outbreaks to relevant departments.
Advise, supervise and implement isolation techniques.
Advise nursing management of individual patients with infectious conditions.
Act as specialist advisor to all nursing staff and other hospital staff where in matters relating to infection prevention/control.
Explain laboratory reports relevant to the prevention/control of infection to nursing staff.
Collect relevant clinical and epidemiological data to assist the infection control team.
Participate in infection prevention/control and hygiene audits and complete reports against agreed guidelines.
Resource for corrective and preventive action plans for HAIs.
Participate in the formulation and development of clinical protocols that promote prevention of HAIs.
Take a proactive role in the formation of Polices, Procedures, Protocols and guidelines (PPPGs) relating to IPC.
Operate within the scope of practice, seek advice and assistance from immediate supervisor on any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.
Liaise with the staff of the laboratory department in organizing and conducting microbiological and epidemiological surveys and participating in research relevant to infection control.
Monitoring of IPC Components Implementation
Develop a schedule on infection prevention/control spot checks and scheduled audits and complete reports. Share the results with the relevant staff and develop corrective actions.
Provide feedback and support staff in developing and implementation of actions plans.
Develop and regularly review IPC audit tools for various core areas.
Carry out hospital-wide environmental checks and investigations in relation to IPC.
Advise on isolation techniques, support and supervise the implementation of such techniques in specific situations in the hospital.
Evaluate regularly prevent/control of infection measures in specific situations with a view of advising on continuous improvement.
Maintain and keep custody of IPC data dashboard, and regularly analyze and report to the relevant teams.
Advise Medical/Nursing personnel regarding patient placement to minimize the spread of infection and the implementation of agreed guidelines in their specific areas.
Chair the IPC committee and keep records of all meeting discussions.
Work closely with IPC link persons in each department.
Staff Training & Patient/Family Education
Develop,…