Job Description

This position requires working closely with clinical staff, departments, and administration to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections among patients.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides consultation and expert advice in infection control practice for professional staff, administrative, medical, clinical, patient care, and support services. Collaborating with all departments on departmental policies related to infection control
• Advice to occupational health, laboratory staff, and the risk manager in the event of a blood- borne pathogen and body fluid exposure incident or any other Infection Prevention and Control issue
• Leads evidence-based infection prevention and control strategies in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team that is effective and outcomes patient outcomes.
• Ensures self-accessible for infection prevention and control consultation in all phases of the change process
• Demonstrates knowledge of microbiological and epidemiological principles and isolation precautions when addressing the purchase of resources (e.g., personal protective equipment).
• Communicates with DOH on reportable infectious diseases, endemic and epidemic situations in the community
• Monitor the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis for surgical site infection.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge re: Agents used in a biological attack
• Provides infectious disease disaster plan education and training to the staff
• Identifies staff roles and in the implementation of disaster preparedness and biological response and the threat of a bio-hazard attack
• Develops and recommend strategies for handling potentially contagious individuals and implementing environmental controls to prevent or limit the emergence or spread of communicable diseases
• Guides and should have a thorough understanding of standard practice that cannot be achieved during a disaster (when resources may be limited)
• Prepares policies and procedures which promote consistent adherence to evidence-based infection control practices which minimize transmission of pandemic infection diseases
• Liaises effectively with other health care providers both internal and external to the organization
• Provides infection prevention and control reports and surveillance monitoring in a timely manner (i.e., monthly)
• Liaises closely with medical and nursing staff in ensuring that all notifiable diseases are reported to DOH
• Develops an effective mechanism for communication of infection prevention and control information from patient care areas with feedback of analyzed information.
• Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team by providing effective communication and timely feedback in improving quality and patient safety.
• Initiates and/or participates in quality improvement projects.
• Undertakes patient and environmental risk assessments and documents corrective action to improve patient outcomes as required
• Participates in ongoing educational and research programs within the organization.
• Monitors and continuous surveillance of identified healthcare-associated infection clinical indicators, pertinent to the facility’s needs, using this data to prioritize the infection prevention and control program. Reviewing such indicators periodically for continuation, potentially adding or subtracting according to needs.
• Performs infection prevention and control audits and review as required to minimize risk and improve safety of patients, visitors or health care workers.
• Demonstrates knowledge of current infection prevention and control strategies and organizational policies
• Investigates and studies trends in infection prevention and control practices, recommending changes or adjustments in existing practice for performance improvement.
• Participates in product evaluation and cost containment projects as indicated
  

Accountabilities

• Manages activities for early detection of an infectious disease disaster through active or passive surveillance
• Initiates and executes environmental decontamination after a bioterrorism attack
  

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience :-

Required:

• NLT 12 years clinical experience post-qualification with NLT 4 years as infection control preventionist / nurse
  

Desired:

• Previous experience as senior infection preventionist
  

Educational Qualification: Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
• 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
• Valid/current national license
• BLS
  

Desired:

• MSc in Nursing/Healthcare or management or administration field
  

ABOUT US

At SSMC, we firmly believe that the human touch is a fundamental part of care. We understand that health care is both an art and a science, running deeper than simply diagnosing and treating those who rely on us. Our SSMC Model of Care puts our patients at the forefront of our purpose and at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that the needs of our patients come first. Every one of our patients receives individualized attention from a multidisciplinary team of experts who collaborate closely to deliver trusted and compassionate care. From the very first point of contact with SSMC, to the moment patients are back home, we ensure speciality-specific care at every stage and in every interaction. As one of the largest tertiary hospitals in the UAE, SSMC provides access to specialist medical treatments and advanced diagnostics, with a commitment to becoming a Destination Medical Center in the UAE and wider region.

ABOUT THE TEAM

About Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)

SSMC is the largest tertiary hospital in the UAE and serves to elevate the provision of health care services in the nation under the mandate of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.

Supported by the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities available, SSMC offers care in 44 specialties. A team of locally and internationally trained medical, clinical and admin professionals work seamlessly together, which promotes comprehensive interdisciplinary learning, allowing SSMC to become a leading hub for integrated patient-centric medical services in the region.

As the region’s leading tertiary facility, SSMC has 742 patient beds, 18 operating theatres, and includes a hybrid operating room, 26-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and the UAE’s largest pathology lab.