Infection Control Coordinator

About the role

The Infection Control Coordinator supports hospital employees in preventing, identifying and controlling infections in patients and staff, and plans, develops and implements the hospital's infection control programme using basic infection control standards. The role covers infection management, facility and equipment management, quality improvement, research, team leadership and staff education.

Key responsibilities

• Aid and assist hospital staff in managing infection prevention, identification and control, and report infections regularly to hospital management
• Review environmental hygiene, linen and waste care regularly and document results
• Identify indications for environmental microbiological monitoring and notify the Department of Health of relevant diseases
• Organise regular infection control committee meetings and document proceedings; interpret diagnostic and laboratory results and distinguish colonisation, infection and contamination
• Plan and implement outbreak investigation procedures and isolation protocols, and keep an up-to-date infection control file
• Maintain protocols for infectious diseases including VHF, SARS, meningitis and Covid-19, and ensure the right equipment is available
• Recommend equipment and resources, supply disinfectants, sterilants and monitoring equipment, and ensure staff know how to use them
• Ensure a written quality assurance programme exists, coordinate quality improvement and demonstrate QIP projects
• Take part in research, evaluate research findings and encourage staff participation
• Lead the team, enforce dress code, hand hygiene and bare below elbows, and orient new staff and students
• Run infection control induction, in-service training and workshops, and introduce new products and equipment from an infection control viewpoint
• Keep up to date with Netcare policies, attend seminars and build relationships with management, doctors, suppliers and other departments

Required profile

• Registration with the South African Nursing Council as a registered nurse or an equivalent NQF level 7 qualification
• Compliance with the SANC scope of practice and applicable health care legislation
• Certificate or diploma in infection control
• Preferred: previous exposure to financial budgeting

Required skills

• Intermediate computer proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to lead a team, manage training and quality improvement, and collaborate with stakeholders