Infection Preventionist, Department of Infection Prevention

Infection Preventionist, Department of Infection Prevention & Hospital Epidemiology (DIPHE)

Entity: Aga Khan University Hospital

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction:

The Aga Khan University Hospital is a not-for-profit healthcare institute that offers all medical services to its patients under one roof. In addition to the tertiary care hospital in Karachi, AKUH has a network of 4 secondary care hospitals, 30+ Medical Centers, and over 290+ Clinical Laboratories, 30+ Pharmacies in over 120+ cities across Pakistan. It also offers Home Healthcare Services and home deliveries of medicines. The Hospital provides Zakat for those patients who are eligible, and the health system offers generous Patient Welfare to support those in financial need. In recognition of its high quality and patient safety, the AKUH is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) as an Academic Medical Centre, and its Clinical Laboratories are accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for fast and accurate testing.

Responsibilities:

• Carry out surveillance, analysis, interpretation and reporting of hospital acquired infections (HAIs).
• Collect data related to Infection prevention and control (IPC) as per scope of service of DIPHE at AKUH.
• Perform infection prevention and control-related activities and rounds in clinical, non-clinical, support services and diagnostic services, assess transmission-based precautions/precautions techniques implementation by direct health care staff in assigned areas and identify areas for improvements and ensure its closure.
• Conduct audit in patient care areas to ensure compliance with infection prevention and control policies and guidelines.
• Assess learning needs of staff related to IPC practices and conduct education sessions to train all the staff and faculty related to IPC.
• Coordinate infection control surveillance activities for infection control link nurses in various departments and services.
• Advise and follow up on employee safety issues related to vaccinations, needle stick injuries, exposure to communicable diseases and hospital-acquired infections.
• Coordinate with NES, PGME and relevant departments in conducting sessions for staff related to IPC.
• Identify and assist in investigation of outbreaks of hospital acquired infections.
• Collect clinical data related to hospital acquired infections for IPC committee and Senior Management of AKU/AKUH.
• Release daily infected and isolated patient's report to the hospital leaders.
• Report reportable diseases to health department at government level after confirmation from infection control chair.
• Conduct surveillance of Device associated infections e.g., CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP/VAE, Phlebitis etc. and report as dashboard indicator under the supervision of a specialist, chair/vice chair and/or manager of DIPHE.
• Attend critical care committees and together with the leaders of units, departments, service lines to present infection data to the clinical and leaders of each area e.g., MICU, SICU, PICU, NICU etc.
• Implement the infection control surveillance system based on CDC/WHO or international best practice guidelines.
• Follow post exposure staff as defined in policy for blood and body fluid, airborne, droplet and keep record of follow up in collaboration with employee health nurse.
• Carry out any other tasks assigned from time to time, in relation to IPC studies and epidemiological surveys.
• Assist in IPC reports on daily, monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
• Conduct IPC audits/rounds on daily, monthly and quarterly basis as per schedule for hand hygiene, prevention and control of infection, support service audits and share results with concern department.
• Assist DIPHE senior manager and chair in reviewing of infection control policies.
• Conduct education sessions for students, orientees, employees on regular basis and as and when required.
• Able to work on-call after office hours as per assigned Rota.
• Perform any other related tasks as assigned by chairs/manager/specialist of IPC.

Requirements:

You should have:

• At least a Graduate degree or equivalent qualification in a related field (BScN / MBBS / Epidemiology) / Masters will be preferred.
• Professional Certification in a relevant field the area of work will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 2-3 years post graduate experience in healthcare setting preferable in any leadership role.
• Ability to manage the assigned tasks, and possess good management, leadership, time management and communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate new approaches and think before acting.
• Ability to break down concrete issues into parts and synthesize succinctly along with collecting and analyzing information from a variety of appropriate sources.
• Ability to identify client needs and expectations and respond to requests efficiently and effectively while taking actions beyond explicit request within established service standards.
• Ability to meet client needs in a respectful, helpful and responsive manner and seek feedback to develop a clear understanding of client needs and outcomes.
• Ability to listen actively and objectively without interrupting and present appropriate information in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to make straightforward decisions based on pre-defined options using clear criteria/procedures.
• Ability to recognize and act on present issues as well as offer ideas to address current situations or issues.
• Ability to work independently and complete assignments without constant supervision.
• Ability to complete tasks in accordance with plans and set priorities for tasks in order of importance.
• Ability to set goals and work to meet established expectations and adapt working methods in order to achieve objectives.
• Ability to give support to co-workers and work collaboratively rather than competitively as well as share experiences, knowledge and best practices with team members.