Infection Prevention Specialist

Function

Laundry

Facility

Life Rosepark Hospital

Position

Infection Prevention Specialist

Introduction

A vacancy exists for an Infection Prevention Specialist based at Life Rosepark Hospital, reporting to Nursing Manager, Lizelle Rood. To identify, manage, mitigate and evaluate infection prevention risks to patients, employees, and the community and business stakeholders.

Critical Outputs

1. Execute the hospital infection prevention strategy.

• Implement a well-communicated and effective strategy with clearly defined objectives in line with organizational requirements
• Implement an infection prevention plan aligned to the objectives of the business unit; 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 MSA reviews.
• All close outs from internal audits, external audits and inspections are monitored and evaluated for effectiveness at MANCO and Quality Review meetings.

2. Surveillance and reporting to minimize infection prevention risk.

• Patient and environmental risks identified and mitigated.
• Monitor and assess high-risk patients to minimize infection risk.
• Monitor and assess the environment to identify and minimize infection risk.
• Consult with relevant subject matter experts 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.

3. Identify, minimize and manage occupation exposure to hazardous biological agents.

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

4. 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 knowledge updated and abreast of international best practice in infection prevention.
• Provide subject matter knowledge and advice 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.

5. Manage internal and external outbreaks to minimize 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, the outbreak task team leads to control the outbreak and minimize further risk.
• Communicate the outbreak status, epidemiology, risk, prevention measures and impact to internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Registered Professional Nurse with current SANC registration.
• 3 years' clinical experience.
• Acute/private hospital experience.
• Formal IPC training, or commitment to complete it within 6–12 months.
• Knowledge of HAI surveillance and IPC audits.
• Competency in education and staff training.
• Computer literacy and data-analysis skills.
• Understanding of standard and transmission-based precautions.

Preferred / desirable

• Postgraduate Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control.
• At least 2 years' dedicated IPC experience.
• Experience with Tendable or other electronic audit systems.
• Experience with HAI dashboards and trend analysis.
• Experience in outbreak investigation.
• Experience with antimicrobial stewardship.
• Experience in theatre, ICU, NICU, maternity and other high-risk areas.
• Quality improvement/project-management experience.

Competencies

• Leadership skills
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Practical Execution
• Building Relationships
• Communication
• Influencing
• Customer Responsiveness
• Knowledge Management
• Rule Orientation
• Research Skills
• Ethical Behavior
• Leading by Example
• Resilience

Contact

Beverly van Schalkwyk

Tel

051 505 5438

Email

rp.recruitment@lifehealthcare.co.za

Closing date

Thursday, October 15, 2026