Infection Control Nurse

The Infection Control Nurse, is responsible to minimise the risk of infection for patients, residents and health care workers by maintaining a safe environment that enables holistic care of patients and residents and protection for the health care worker.

The role of the Infection Control Nurse assists and promotes Yarram & District Health Service strategic directions by ensuring duties are performed within legislative compliance incorporating Yarram & District Health Services

· Policies and Procedures

· The Occupational Health and Safety Act

· Other Standards or Acts this role must operate within.

Specific skills/activities 

• Education, training and competency based assessments of all staff under education and training framework.
• Participate and manage quality assurance activities relevant to this role.
• Assesses infection control practices, reviews result and implements necessary improvements to ensure best practice is achieved
• Collects and reports data as required as per Department of Health schedule e.g. VICNISS surveillance, Influenza vaccination rates, hand hygiene audits
• Conducts compliance audits and provides reports
• Reviews medical products and devices and ensures compliance in accordance with regulatory bodies
• Co-ordinates staff health/immunisation program and maintains accurate records
• Promotes and encourages hand hygiene practices
• Manages outbreaks and provide reports to the Director of Clinical Services, Nurse Unit Manager and any other relevant parties
• Ensures all facility developments and maintenance needs meets all infection control standards

• Identify clusters of infections due to unusual microorganisms through regular review of patients/resident’s records and microbiology reports
• Ensure occupational exposures are managed and followed up effectively.
• Ensure that transmission-based precautions are carried out effectively when required.

Risk Management

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of YDHS Risk Management Framework.
• Apply the framework to identifying, evaluating and minimising risk exposure for YDHS.

Mandatory:

• Registered Nurse with current registration.
• Recognised Infection Control qualifications: Graduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control (or working towards) or equivilant.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of general, clinical and environmental microbiology.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principles of epidemiology, data collection and presentation of information.
• Demonstrated leadership and relevant organisational and administrative skills.
• An understanding of the principles of sterilisation, disinfection and sanitation within a healthcare facility.

Desirable:

• Recognised qualification: Pre and post HIV & HepC test counselling
• Recognised qualification: Accredited nurse immuniser
• An understanding of the principles of sterilisation, disinfection and sanitation within a healthcare facility.
• An appreciation of contemporary infection control practice and health care trends.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and manage time effectively.
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and quality improvement by seeking opportunities to learn, apply and share knowledge with clients, colleagues and others.
• A current Victorian driver’s licence.

·    Ensure that all clients, their families, visitors, and colleagues are treated with respect and dignity.

·    Listen to and collaborate with our clients to understand their personal experiences to provide flexible care that complements their unique characteristics and supports them to live their best life.

• Support our clients to understand and learn about their health.

·    Involve clients and their advocates in their healthcare decisions.

·    Clearly explain your treatment options using easy to understand language and avoiding jargon.

·    Respect healthcare decisions made by clients.

·    Ensure your practice and the service provided to consumers is free from discrimination based on age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, employment status, cultural background, or religious beliefs.

• Diverse service.
• Salary packaging up to $9,000 per annum.
• Meals/Entertainment benefit up to $2,650 per annum.

• Free access to a brand-new state of the art, onsite gymnasium.
• Brand new onsite Cafe.
• Experienced and friendly team to offer support at all times.• Access to continuing professional development to improve skills and knowledge.
• Beautiful location - Yarram is a major hub for surrounding areas. 

If you would enjoy the variety of this role and the close-knit community this township has to offers, we want to hear from you! For more information about this position, please contact Stacey O’Neill – Human Resources Manager via email: humanresources@ydhs.com.au. Click here for a copy of the Position Description 

Join us in our quest to provide exceptional healthcare services to our local community.

Apply today and make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families. Applications should include a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and current resume.

The Yarram and District Health Service (YDHS) is based in Yarram, 220 kilometers southeast of Melbourne on the South Gippsland Highway in rural Victoria. Yarram is 73 kilometers southwest of Sale and 62 kilometers southeast of Traralgon.

We provide our community with Acute Inpatient services, Dialysis, Urgent Care, Aged Care, Respite Care, Primary Health, Community Services, and an Integrated Health Care Centre. Our consumers and community are at the core of every decision we make. YDHS is committed to the Child Safe Standards.

YDHS want to attract and retain the best staff to provide an exceptional service to our community. We promote and develop opportunities for people to contribute to and encourage innovation, leadership, and collaboration. We are committed to making YDHS a Centre of Excellence in everything we do.

Before commencement, the successful applicant will:

Provide an original National Police Record Check – no older than twelve (12) months, an Employee Working with Children Check, be willing to apply for and pass a NDIS Workers Screening Check, a current season influenza vaccine (if applicable to work area), unless a valid medical exemption applies and complete a Pre-existing injury declaration form.

Diversity and inclusion

We embrace workforce diversity and actively encourage applications from across our community including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with linguistically diverse backgrounds, people of all genders and gender identities and people with disabilities.