Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Port Coquitlam, BC

The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Practitioner reports into the Coordinator/Clinical Manager, IPAC and works in collaboration with IPAC Medical Leads for the clinical programs across multiple sites within PHSA. The IPAC Practitioner facilitates the implementation, operations and maintenance of the infection prevention and control program within the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) of BC. The IPAC Practitioner has an active role in the prevention, surveillance, and control of infections; provides support and education on IPAC policies, standards, best practices and guidelines. Acts as a resource and reviews opportunities for IPAC improvement and follows up on occurrences of infection transmission across PHSA. The IPAC Practitioner collaborates with the clinical program infection control committees, clinical operational teams and the organization-wide IPAC team. The IPAC Practitioner also maintains liaison with the leaders across the organization and within the clinical programs on operational and professional matters. This is a multi-site position that will be expected to carry out duties at various sites throughout PHSA.

Please note that it is a program wide position, covering the following portfolios including BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services, Children’s and Woman’s Hospital, BC Cancer, BC Emergency Health Services and BC Centre for Disease Control.

What you’ll do

• Play an active role in the prevention, surveillance, and control of infections.
• Provide support and education on IPC policies, standards, best practices and guidelines.
• Act as a resource and review opportunities for IPC improvement, and follow up on occurrences of infection transmission across PHSA.
• Assess site educational needs and develop, implement and evaluate effectiveness of educational programs.
• Collaborate with clinical program infection control committees, clinical operational teams and the organization-wide IPAC team.
• Liaise with leaders across PHSA and within our clinical programs on operational and professional matters.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant health science discipline such as Medical Lab Sciences, Medical/Clinical Microbiology, Epidemiology, Pathology, or related field.
• Three (3) years' recent related clinical experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Completion of, or current enrollment in, an approved IPAC Canada sponsored and endorsed Infection Control course.
• Current Certification Board for Infection Control (CBIC) Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or expected certification within two (2) years of start of employment.
• A valid BC Driver’s License and access to a vehicle for business related purposes, as required.
• Travel outside of existing geographic area and/or overnight travel may be required, and will be compensated in accordance with applicable collective agreement language.

You will also have:

• Knowledge of epidemiological principles, statistics, medical/clinical microbiology, and infectious diseases, patient care practices, health promotion, disease prevention, population health theories and application of continuous quality improvement.
• Understands correlations between Acute, Residential, Community Health and Public Health resources in the health delivery system. Works well independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary care team.
• Demonstrated ability to use factual information, prior learning and basic principles and procedures to support infection control decisions and actions with relevant research-based evidence/evidence informed practice.
• Experience communicating effectively with patients, families/support person, the public, medical staff, members of the multi-disciplinary care team, and other stakeholders, using professional verbal, written and electronic communication means.

• Awareness of and commitment to learning and understanding the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight Report (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), and other related reports.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Wage: $45.87 - $57.28/hour

Location: 70 Colony Farm Road, Port Coquitlam, V3C 5X9

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, 08:00-16:00
Requisition # 152347

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

What we do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose. Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA & BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca    

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of September 28, 2023. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.