Infection Control Officer

Supports the delivery of a successful and responsive infection prevention and control (IPC) service. Investigates, monitors, and raises awareness in the prevention, surveillance, investigation, management and control of healthcare-associated infection across American Hospital Dubai and Satellite Clinics. 

Overall:

• Assists in the review and implementation of the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Annual Workplan.
• Works closely with the Infection Control Manager to plan, prioritise and deliver an effective and efficient infection control service.
• Works under areas of responsibility and to Infection Control Nurse Core Competencies.
• Develops and delivers an annual delivery plan for area of responsibility in relation to the overall annual planned programme.
• Acts as a role model and mentor, providing effective leadership, advice, and support.
• Assists in the development and revision of ICP policies procedures and guidelines.
• Chairs the Infection Control Champion meetings and supports the required activities.
• Assists in IPC risk assessment.
• Makes decisions and follows through in relation to infection control issues in the absence of the Infection Control Manager.

Surveillance:

• Collects data for all IPC-identified KPIs and reports findings to the Infection Control Manager.
• Reports all notifiable and communicable diseases as mandated by the regulatory bodies.
• Performs surveillance and audits collates and records relevant data and information and presents progress reports on an ongoing basis.
• Participates in quality improvement activities and projects.
• Participates in the Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) during any renovation, construction, and demolition activities.
• Assists with product evaluation as appropriate.

Clinical:

• Participates in the staff immunization and post-exposure program including provision of immunization, counselling, and data management.
• Liaises with the Employee Health Nurse regarding relevant staff member health issues.
• Identifies as promptly as possible potential infection hazards in patients, staff, equipment, and the environment, including outbreak management.
• Determines the infection control care required for individual patients and groups of patients with communicable diseases and alert organisms.
• Provides professional advice on the specialist area of infection prevention and control in conjunction with national and local recommendations, policies, and guidelines.
• Provides specialist infection control advice, support, and information to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in order that the spread of infection is minimised.
• Informs and liaises with healthcare providers when infected patients are discharged from other hospitals.
• Provides advice on patient placement of patients with suspected/confirmed alert organisms and conditions, or patients highly susceptible to infection.
• Reports on and evaluates the efficacy of intervention to inform future practice.
• Carries out the root cause analysis of infection utilising both clinical and nursing notes to establish any areas of improvement when necessary.
• Follows up daily microbiology results.
• Assists and educates patients and families on hygiene and best infection control standards where appropriate.
• Demonstrates expertise in Standard and Transmission Based Precautions.

Education:

• Assist in the implementation of the ICP education programs.
• Provides mentorship, preceptorship, teaching, facilitation and professional supervisory skills for physicians, nurses, allied health staff, and other hospital employees.
• Maintains training records of employees.
• Organises and delivers evidence-based training to all grades and disciplines of staff, formally and informally as appropriate deliver IPC education programmes within the area of responsibility.
• Assists in the development of education programmes under the supervision of the Infection Control Manager.

Non-Clinical:

• Carries out risk assessment related to building works within the Hospital and Satellite Clinics.

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing (minimum of three (3) years full-time course duration) or
• Degree in Nursing (minimum two (2) years course duration) and Registration as a Registered Nurse from Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.
• For UAE nationals graduates of UAE or non-UAE universities are exempted from the experience and clinical training requirements for the applied title. (UAE nationals must submit a copy of their birth certificate and the mother’s family book).
• Non-UAE national graduates from UAE universities are required to successfully complete six (6) months of clinical training post-graduation in an APS health facility (except for Registered and assistant Nurse titles).
• Must hold a valid License/Registration to practice in their home country and/or country of last employment (where applicable).
• Must hold a minimum of a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification or others according to the scope of practice.
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control provided by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology or willing to work toward this in the position, starting the course within one year of joining the role.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of two (2) years of recent post-graduate nursing or Infection Control Link Nurse experience.
• Highly competent nurse working at the senior level.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication skills both written and oral with the ability to positively influence others (education and training).
• Knowledge of national and local guidelines about the built environment, including new builds, refurbishments, decontamination, water safety and ventilation systems under the supervision of the Infection Control Manager.
• Knowledge in ventilation, water quality, air quality and decontamination, recognising risk and highlighting to the Infection Control Manager when appropriate.
• Knowledge of waste and laundry management.
• Ability to set priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to compile/write reports, correspondences, and progress reports.
• Ability to complete reports and notifications using the Dubai Health Authority system and any requirements as set by regulatory guidelines.
• Ability to lead groups evident by the atmosphere of teamwork, efforts to obtain the input of others involved in planned activity and lack of internal conflict.
• Ability to effectively manage change in the face of resistance.
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations.
• Ability to remain calm when challenged.