Key Responsibilities and Duties

Maintains close communication with all members of healthcare teams in areas assigned, through meetings and informal discussions to ensure that the program is continuous and proactive.
Assists in initiating precautions and advises concerning precautions and isolation measures applied on any transmissible diseases within the Fakeeh Care entity.
Assists in daily surveillance of all patients in assigned units to identify health care-associated infections based on established guidelines and approved definitions and criteria. Prepares periodic reports related to healthcare associated infections and presents in relevant committees and forums.
On daily basis, collects microbiological reports from the laboratory and other pertinent reports related to infection prevention and control surveillance activities.
Assists in epidemiological investigation during outbreaks, clusters of infection, and exposure incidents across Fakeeh Care entity and helps initiate control measures in collaboration with Infection Control Team and concerned personnel and/or units.
Assists in the staff, students, patient/relatives and visitors education concerning various aspects in infection control and prevention.
Helps monitor staffs compliance with infection control practices through audit.
Identifies problems and risks related to infection control and consults with the Infection Control Team for resolutions.
Serves as resource person in infection-related problems, detects evidence of cross infection and assists in the development of improved infection control.
Assists in the documentation and reporting of diseases that are ‘reportable” to health authorities.
Conducts periodic assessment of the Fakeeh Care entity environment to evaluate conformity with IC principles include:
- Proper environmental surfaces cleaning and disinfection.

- Water quality testing; Monitors the results of water cultures as indicated.

- Monitors air quality measures including (Pressure gradient, air cycles, temperature and humidity of all positive and negative pressure rooms.

- Conducts fungal cultures post construction involving high-risk areas eg, operating theaters.
- Assists in the review of environmental cleanliness in areas assigned including cleaning procedures, schedules, and agents used.

Assists in monitoring implementation of healthcare waste program.
Assists in overseeing the ambulatory cares and home care organization:
- Development and implementation of policies and procedures.

- Education of staff on proper program implementation, operation, tracking and trending infection control data.

- Evaluation of employee exposures and follow-up.
Responsible for arranging and organizing infection control committee meetings including preparation of agenda, reports and minutes. Act as a member of other committees as assigned by seniors.
Participates in fire and disaster drills (internal and external).
Other duties as assigned within the scope of responsibility and requirements of the job.

Skills and Abilities

Command of Microsoft office.

Experience

3 years clinical nursing experience in an acute or teaching hospital and strong knowledge base in infection prevention and control. Experience in infection control preferred.

Education

Graduate of a professional school of nursing.

Language

Excellent command in oral and written English. Arabic preferred.

Licenses / Certifications

Current Registered Nurse Licensure from country of origin required. License for practice as per the regional health regulatory authority e.g. (SCFHS / DHA). Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred.

Jobs

Infection Control Specialist