A vacancy exists for an Infection Prevention Specialist based at Life Empangeni Private Hospital, reporting to the Nursing Standards Manager. The role is to identify, manage, mitigate, and evaluate infection prevention risks to patients, employees, and the community and business stakeholders.Critical OutputsExecute the hospital infection prevention strategy.A well-communicated and effective strategy with clearly defined objectives in line with organizational requirements.Implement an infection prevention plan aligned to the business objectives of the business unit; based on historic facility experience, incidents, audit findings, and Life Healthcare national targets.Lead the Infection Prevention Committee and direct reporting, investigation, root cause analysis, trending, and actions of all infection-related incidents or risks.Set the business unit Infection Prevention targets with the Nursing team.Comply with legal and company requirements through internal audits (laundry, sterilization and storage department, catering, healthcare risk waste, internal infection and prevention control audit), and the hazardous biological agent risk assessment.Participate in and manage the close out of findings of the Department of Health inspection.Participate in and manage the close out of findings of the external and internal QMS reviews.Monitor and evaluate all close outs from internal audits, external audits, and inspections for effectiveness at MANCO and Quality Review meetings.Surveillance and reporting to minimize infection prevention risk.Identify and mitigate patient and environmental risks.Monitor and assess high-risk patients to minimize infection risk.Monitor and assess the environment to identify and minimize infection risk.Consult with relevant subject matter experts to take appropriate remedial action and monitor effectiveness.Communicate infection risks, trends, and actions to the MANCO, Unit Managers, Medical Advisory Committee, and Quality Review Committee.Identify, minimize, and manage occupational exposure to hazardous biological agents.Screen new employees to assess and ensure appropriate vaccination status.Monitor and evaluate the placement of high-risk employees to minimize occupational health risks.Monitor and evaluate the environment to identify and minimize occupational health risks.Consult with relevant subject matter experts to take appropriate remedial action and monitor effectiveness.Ensure excellence in infection prevention practice and build competence in infection prevention management within the facility.Maintain technical and professional competence in infection prevention at the business unit level.Keep knowledge updated and abreast of international best practices in infection prevention.Provide subject matter knowledge and advice to the business unit.Facilitate standard and ad hoc training as required to align the business unit with the organizational training strategy:HandwashingExposure to body fluidsInfection prevention bundle complianceHealthcare wasteSignificant resistant organismsLink nurse trainingIdentify the risk profile of each unit and design and coordinate an appropriate in-service training strategy with the enabling team for the business unit.Induct new employees in infection prevention and occupational health risk.Manage internal and external outbreaks to minimize risk.As a member of the Emergency Action Committee, annually review the Outbreak Management Process in the hospital emergency plan.In the event of an outbreak, lead the outbreak task team to control the outbreak and minimize further risk.Communicate the outbreak status, epidemiology, risk, prevention measures, and impact to internal and external stakeholders.RequirementsDegree or Diploma in Nursing (essential)Current registration with the South African Nursing Council (essential)Computer proficiency (essential)Relevant qualification or experience in Infection Prevention and Control (advantageous)Management experience (advantageous)Understanding of the private healthcare industry, its challenges, and role players (advantageous)CompetenciesProblem Solving and AnalysisPractical ExecutionBuilding RelationshipsCommunicationKnowledge ManagementRule OrientationResearch SkillsEthical BehaviourLeading by ExampleResilienceInfluencingCustomer ResponsivenessEmail: ****** date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024Internal applicants - Before making an application, you are requested to discuss your application with your line manager. External candidates will also be considered.Life Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date of this advert should consider their application as unsuccessful.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
