Infection Prevention Specialist & Clinical Training Specialist

Function

Nursing

Facility

Life Riverfield Lodge and Life Poortview

Position

Infection Prevention Specialist & Clinical Training Specialist

Introduction

A vacancy exists for a dual role Infection Prevention & Clinical Training Specialist responsible for Life Riverfield Lodge and Life Poortview and reporting to the respective Nursing Managers. The successful candidate will be responsible for the outputs below.

Critical Outputs

Effective management of CPD & other programs for qualified nurses

• Plan, co-ordinate and participate in nursing competency requirements of the hospital and nursing function strategy
• Provide coaching and mentoring to staff to ensure clinical competence

Effective management of the risk bases in-service training programs (including quality)

• Plan, co-ordinate and monitor risk based in-service training programs
• Participate in incident investigation
• Participate in hospital quality projects, provide feedback, identify deviations and take remedial action where necessary
• Identify risks and competence in use of products through in-service training

Effective management of internal and approved external student clinical programs (i.e. planning, facilitating and evaluating)

• Participate in the selection process of internal and external students
• Ensure the correct management of student administration and resources
• Identify relevant learning opportunities and facilitate clinical skills development
• Provide feedback on the progress of the students both to the Learning Centre and HOD
• Support students with research projects in the hospital environment

Effective research on relevant clinical practices

• Identify and formulate a plan of action relating to clinical delivery problems

Effective marketing of the nursing profession

• Participate in the marketing of the professional image of the nursing profession
• Participate in marketing initiatives with students and learning centres in order to promote nursing as a career
• Participate with students in community events to promote the hospital

Execute the hospital infection prevention strategy.

• A well communicated and effective strategy with clearly defined objectives in line with organizational requirements.
• Implement an infection prevention plan aligned to the business objectives of the business unit; and based on the historic facility experience, incidents and audit findings and Life Healthcare national targets.
• Lead the Infection Prevention Committee and direct reporting, investigation, root cause analysis, trending and actions of all infection related incidents or risks.
• Set the business unit Infection Prevention targets with the Nursing team.
• Comply with legal and company requirements through internal audits (laundry, sterilization and storage department, catering, healthcare risk waste, internal infection and prevention control audit), and the hazardous biological agent risk assessment.
• Participate in and manage the close out of findings of the Department of Health inspection.
• Participate in and manage the close out of findings of the external and internal QMS reviews.
• All close outs from internal audits, external audits and inspections are monitored and evaluated for effectiveness at MANCO and Quality Review meetings.

Surveillance and reporting to minimise infection prevention risk.

• Patient and environmental risks identified and mitigated.
• Monitor and assess high risk patients to minimise infection risk.
• Monitor and assess the environment to identify and minimise infection risk.
• Consult with relevant subject matter experts in order to take appropriate remedial action and monitor effectiveness.
• Communicate infection risks, trends and actions to the MANCO, Unit Managers, Medical Advisory Committee, and Quality Review Committee.

Identify, minimise and manage occupational exposure to hazardous biological agents.

• Occupational risks identified and mitigated
• Ensure that Hep B programme is offered to all HCW’s
• Monitor and evaluate the placement of high risk employees to minimise occupational health risks.
• Monitor and evaluate the environment to identify and minimise occupational health risks.
• Consult with relevant subject matter experts in order to take appropriate remedial action and monitor effectiveness.

Ensure excellence in infection prevention practice and build competence in infection prevention management within the facility.

• Technical and professional competence in infection prevention at business unit level.
• Keep your knowledge updated and abreast of international best practice in infection prevention.
• Provide subject matter knowledge and advise to the business unit.
• Facilitate standard and ad hoc training as required to align business unit to organizational training strategy for e.g. (not limited to)
  • Hand hygiene exposure to body fluids
  • infection prevention bundle compliance
  • significant resistant organisms
  • link nurse training
• Identify the risk profile of each unit and design and coordinate an appropriate in service training strategy with the enabling team for the business unit.
• Induct new employees in infection prevention and occupational health risk.

Manage internal and external outbreaks to minimise risk

• Patient, employee and environmental and risks identified and mitigated.
• As a member of the Emergency Action committee annually review the Outbreak Management Process in the hospital emergency plan.
• In the event of the outbreak, lead the outbreak task team to control the outbreak and minimise further risk.
• Communicate the outbreak status, epidemiology, risk, prevention measures and impact to internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Qualified Infection Prevention and Control Specialist from a recognised institution. The qualification should hold at least 60 credits.
• Short learning programmes (SLP) shorter than 6 months are not recognised.
• Sound clinical and applied Infection Prevention knowledge. The candidate should have practical application knowledge as an IPS/IPC or a 2IC
• Experience/qualification in a specialist unit would be advantageous.
• Under exceptional circumstances, where no qualified IPS is available or suitable, a strong motivation from the Nurse Manager and National IPC Risk Manager is required prior to appointment
• If not trained or part of the current course, the candidate must agree to enrol to do the LHC certificate course (SLP) with immediate effect or as soon as practically possible
• Agree to do the 6 day On Boarding Programme via TEAMS (within 1 month of employment)
• Excellent basic computer skills (Microsoft Office).
• Understanding of the private healthcare industry.
• Current registration with SANC
• Specific knowledge and understanding of the legislation governing the practice of nursing
• Knowledge of nursing education systems and legislation
• Understanding of change management principles
• Facilitation and assessment skills

Competencies

• Problem-solving, analysis and judgement
• Resilience
• Engaging diversity
• Verbal & written communication and presentation
• Influencing
• Drive & energy
• Excellence orientation
• Ethical behaviour
• Building relationships
• Customer responsiveness
• Organisational awareness
• Leading my example (Key for Managers)
• Motivating and developing people (Key for Managers)

Email

ugeshnee.govender@lifehealthcare.co.za

Closing date

Wednesday, April 29, 2026