Position Summary
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Practitioner supports acute care services at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and delivers IPAC Hub services to community partners, with responsibilities aligned to evolving organizational and system priorities. The role advances evidence-based IPAC practices to promote safe, high-quality care for patients, families, team members, and community partners.
Acting as a subject matter expert and professional resource, the Practitioner provides leadership, consultation, and education to clinical and non-clinical teams and represents the organization in collaboration with health system and public health partners. Core accountabilities include surveillance, outbreak investigation and management, policy development and review, and related administrative responsibilities. The Practitioner maintains current IPAC knowledge and provides in-person, virtual, and telephone support, including travel as required.
Key Responsibilities
IPAC Program Implementation and Oversight:
- Implement, maintain, and communicate the IPAC program across OSMH acute care and IPAC HUB services in consultation with the
Infection Prevention & Control Committee and IPAC HUB networks.
- Act as a subject matter expert to support organizational and community partner practices and quality standards related to infection
prevention and control.
- Establish program goals, objectives, and performance measures aligned with organizational standards and priorities.
- Maintain awareness of current healthcare and infection control developments, ensuring adherence to professional, accreditation, and
legal standards.
- Plan, execute, and evaluate projects and quality improvement initiatives related to acute care and IPAC HUB activities, and
communicate outcomes to relevant partners.
- Partner with managers to review incident reports and trends, facilitating education or practice improvements as delegated by the IPAC
Manager.
- Coordinate, consult on, and support the development and maintenance of controlled documents, including policies, procedures,
standards of care, order sets, and medical directives.
- Identify, define, and facilitate practice changes to meet legislative, regulatory, and evidence-based requirements across acute care
and community partner settings.
- Monitor IPAC practices through surveillance, audits, and observations, providing feedback and recommendations to team members,
including real-time guidance during audits (e.g., Hand Hygiene, PPE compliance).
- Coordinate education, orientation, and ongoing learning opportunities for team members and community partners, promoting
accountability for IPAC practices.
- Function in accordance with hospital emergency procedures and demonstrate familiarity with WHMIS, fire, disaster, and other
emergency protocols.
Surveillance and Research:
- Conduct surveillance activities by reviewing laboratory reports, patient charts, and collaborating with managers, team members,
patients, and community partners.
- Implement evidence-informed surveillance strategies across acute care and IPAC HUB-supported settings.
- Investigate causes of healthcare-acquired and nosocomial infections and implement interventions to address actual or potential
problems.
- Manage outbreak investigations, implement control measures, and complete final epidemiological outbreak analysis.
- Conduct root cause analysis for infection prevention concerns, including during periods of heightened surveillance or outbreak.
- Discuss infection prevention and control matters with patients and families as needed.
- Research, compile, and provide infection control materials for committees, physicians, hospital personnel, IPAC HUB partners, and
administration.
Relationship and Partnership Management:
- Establish, develop, and maintain collaborative, interdisciplinary partnerships with internal and external partners to facilitate infection
prevention and control practices across the continuum of care.
- Liaise with Ontario Health Teams, other IPAC organizations, Public Health, the Medical Officer of Health, and the Simcoe Muskoka
District Health Unit.
- Provide IPAC HUB support to community partners through consultation, education, and quality improvement initiatives as assigned.
- Utilize effective problem-solving strategies to achieve optimal outcomes.
Communication and Consultation:
- Maintain effective communication processes with internal programs and community partners.
- Serve as a liaison with the local Public Health Unit.
- Provide consultation to clinical and non-clinical areas regarding infection prevention and control across acute care and IPAC HUB
services.
- Foster an environment that encourages open communication, approachability, and effective written and verbal interpersonal skills.
Qualifications
Education
- Registered and in good standing with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) as a Registered Nurse, Registered Practical Nurse, or registered and in good standing with the College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO)as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) or registered and in good standing as a regulated healthcare professional is required.
- Completion of an IPAC Canada–recognized Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) course is required or a willingness to obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.
- Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology is required within two (2) years of hire.
- Completion of Long Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) is considered an asset.
Experience
- Minimum of five (5) years of recent experience in acute care nursing, or as a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT), or regulated healthcare professional with experience in a hospital or healthcare environment is required.
- Previous experience as an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Practitioner in a healthcare setting is considered an asset.
Competencies
- Requires strong clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and sound professional judgment
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the position
- Demonstrates proficiency in written and verbal communications skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to customer service and teamwork.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Ability to prioritize workloads and manage stressful work environments.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and willingness to be flexible to meet department needs.
- Demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Demonstrated appreciation and respect for protocol, professionalism and confidentiality.
- Models’ behaviour that is aligned with the values of OSMH.
Other
- Demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional and personal development through participation in continuing education and self-directed learning opportunities
Our Employees Enjoy
- a professional practice environment
- a collaborative atmosphere with emphasis on teamwork
- wellness initiatives
- continuing education grants
- employee recognition and assistance programs
- a competitive salary and benefits package
- equal opportunities for growth and development
Employment Equity
OSMH is committed to diversity and equity in the workplace and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons and others who may contribute to a diverse workplace.
Accommodation in the Workplace
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is a respectful, caring, and inclusive workplace. We are committed to championing accessibility, diversity, equal opportunity and maintaining a barrier-free selection process for job applicants. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process providing the applicant has met the requirements for the open position. Applicants need to make their requirements known to the Human Resources department when contacted. All requests are handled confidentially.
Health & Safety Responsibilities
OSMH is committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive working environment by treating team members and patients with compassion accountability respect and engagement.
All team members must adhere to OSMH’s Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and protocols, as well as the duties of workers as stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Team members must be able to perform all bona fide and essential duties of the position which may include cognitive and physical demands.
As a condition of employment, new employees are required to complete an employment health assessment and must be cleared by the Occupational Health and Safety Team prior to orientation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use in Hiring at OSMH
OSMH may utilize automated screening tools (i.e. questionnaires) to highlight candidates' qualifications; however, OSMH does not involve the use of artifical intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants. We recommend applying directly through our website as all applications are reviewed by our recruitment team.
Closing Statement
OSMH is a minimal fragrance workplace. We kindly ask all applicants to refrain from using scented products should they have the occasion to interview with the hospital. As a condition of employment OSMH requires professional references, verification of academic training, professional accreditation and evidence of course completion. It is also a condition of employment that all new employees will be required to present an original vulnerable sector check within 90 days of commencing employment and must sign an Offense Declaration upon receipt of an offer of employment.
If you are interested in joining our team, please apply online before 11:59 pm on the posting close date. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
