Infection Prevention & Control Supervisor at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Main Objective and Responsibility of the Position

• Implementing and supervising an infection control program in a project or health facility, according to MSF protocols, safety and IPC measures, in order to ensure quality of care and safety of patients, caretakers and staf

Accountabilities

• In collaboration with each service activity manager, maintaining and supporting the day-to-day implementation by the ward supervisor of the standard precautions in health structures in all departments including sterilization, laundry and kitchen, and providing technical supervision, training and support to the staff on IPC related issues using existing tools such as SIPCA, audits, checklist, and surveillance.
• Implementing and monitoring adherence to additional precautions for air, droplet and contact transmissible diseases when indicated. Based on a given patient-diagnosis, evaluating the need and supporting the implementation, if needed, for additional precautions in collaboration with the medical team and act accordingly
• Supporting in the implementations planned, the correct ‘clean and dirty flows’ inside the health facility. Ensuring that environmental standards and administrative measures in the facility are respected (bed spacing, number of handwashing stations etc.) and together with the Hospital Facilities Manager and WHS Supervisor, that the essential requirements are available in the health structures
• Guaranteeing compliance to aseptic care techniques and to the correct use of antiseptics, disinfectants and detergents, through trainings and audits.
• Checking the consumption and the quality of IPC materials and equipment, including cleaning materials and equipment, PPE, etc.
• As member of the Infection Control Committee, participating actively in the lively and pro-active tenue of the meeting, supporting the development and following up the Infection Control Action/ improvement Plan.
• Supervising the team under his/her responsibility and participating in the associated HR processes (e.g. recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, coaching, development and communication) in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required.
• Reporting any irregularities to NAM or IPC managers or PMR and producing reports with information recommendations for the monthly medical reporting
• Note:
• IPC standard precautions include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, prevention of accidental exposure to body fluids, safe and appropriate treatment of re-usable medical devices, waste management, cleaning and disinfection of surface and environment, respiratory hygiene and individual hygiene for staff, caretakers and patients. IPC essential requirements include water supply, solid waste and wastewater treatment/disposal, latrines and shower facilities, dead bodies’ management, vector control and medical waste management.
• Transmission-based Precautions (TBP): are the second level of basic infection control and are to be used in addition to standard precautions for patients who may be infected or colonized with certain infectious agents for which additional precautions are needed to prevent infection transmission (contact, droplet, airborne).
• Ensures that all staff under their supervision perform their duties observing the MSF policies and in compliance with relevant SOPs of the department. Reports to manager immediately whenever compliance is not or cannot be met.

MSF Section/Context-Specific Accountabilities

• The IPC Supervisor in Gummi General Hospital is the main responsible for the conducting IPC assessments and the implementation of all IPC related activities, protocols and different recommendations to ensure quality of care and patient safety. The IPC Supervisor works closely with all multidisciplinary team members to raise awareness and ensure IPC issues are identified and addressed by all staff members.
• Conducting periodic IPC assessments
  • Using the SIPCA tool and
  • In collaboration with the AMR focal point to institute the formation of an IPC committee.
  • Be responsible for monitoring of hand hygiene compliance using the hand hygiene observation tool (HHOT) and monthly updating of results
  • Periodic audits of IPC adherence in the wards
• As a member of the IPC Committee, participating in and supporting the development and follow up of the Infection Control Action Plan and other communication activities are key (may support NAM with with minutes/agenda/action points, also may chair the meeting in absence of NAM or MTL)
• Policy management of IPC activities in all locations and work in conjunction with all heads of departments to ensure and supervise implementation of IPC policy and protocols.
• Ensure compliance of the 3 IPC pillars (Hand hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection, transmission based precaution) at the Gummi General Hospital
• Guaranteeing compliance to aseptic care techniques and to the correct use of antiseptics, disinfectants and detergents, through trainings and audits.
• In collaboration with each service activity manager, maintaining and supporting the day to day implementation by the ward supervisor of the standard precautions in health structures in all departments including sterilization, laundry and kitchen, and providing technical supervision, training and support to the staff on IPC related issues using existing tools such as audits, checklist, surveillance.
• Liaises with Watsan Supervisor/Technician, to provide technical support to
  • Hospital Cleaners in NHCS and and ensure cleanliness of wards (based on IPC requirements) and hospital yard.
  • Laundry and ensure quality of bed sheets and linens are in enough quantity to maintain adequate recycling
  • Ensure vector control in the hospital wards and other departments (use of light insecticide etc) and dead body management in the ward while waiting for evacuation
• Carry out training of all staff (Medical, Lab, Hygiene Agents/cleaners, Watchmen etc.) on relevant IPC information - IPC Pillars and aseptic technique
• In Conjunction with WatSan Supervisor/Technician and Nursing Team Supervisor ensure waste segregation and collection in different wards and keep high hygiene standard.
• Under leadership of Medical Team Leader and Pharmacy Supervisor/technician ensure ordering, storage and management of IPC materials (hand sanitizers, surfanios and hexanios, chloramine solutions, face masks, disposable gowns etc) for daily usage

Requirements (Qualifications / Experience / Knowledge)
To apply for this role applicants MUST meet the following criteria:

Education

• Essential: Nurse or midwife (or equivalent) diploma / EPI / pharmacist diplomas
• Preferable with IPC background experience or diploma

Experience:

• Preferable: Previous working experience working with MSF or other NGOs
• Experience in OT, Intensive Care Unit is an asset

Languages:

• Mission language essential, local language (Hausa) desirable

Knowledge:

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

Competencies:

• Results and Quality Orientation, Teamwork and Cooperation, Behavioural Flexibility, Commitment to MSF Principles and Stress Management