Position: Infection Prevention and Control Nurse (IPC Nurse)
Department: Infection Prevention and Control
Location: Abaqulusi Private
Job Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Infection Control Manager/Director of Nursing
Job Summary
We are seeking a skilled Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nurse to lead and manage infection control practices within our facility. The IPC Nurse will be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating infection prevention protocols, ensuring compliance with South African National Standards (SANS), and educating staff to maintain high standards of patient safety. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of infection control practices, familiarity with South African healthcare regulations, and excellent communication skills.
Key Responsibilities

• Infection Prevention Program Development and Implementation
• Develop and enforce infection control policies, procedures, and protocols in line with the Department of Health and National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with relevant South African healthcare standards, including SANS and Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) for handling medications.
• Infection Surveillance and Reporting
• Conduct regular surveillance to identify and monitor healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
• Document and report infection rates, trends, and outbreaks to hospital administration and relevant health authorities as required.
• Education and Training
• Provide infection prevention training and education to staff, ensuring all team members understand the importance of infection control.
• Conduct onboarding sessions and ongoing refresher courses for healthcare workers on hygiene practices, PPE use, and other critical IPC measures.
• Risk Assessment and Compliance Audits
• Perform risk assessments to identify potential infection sources and recommend improvements.
• Conduct regular audits of hospital practices, including hand hygiene, equipment sterilization, and environmental cleanliness, and ensure compliance with infection prevention standards.
• Outbreak Management and Response
• Lead infection control interventions in response to infectious disease outbreaks, coordinating with health authorities as necessary.
• Develop and implement action plans for outbreak containment, including isolation protocols and patient cohorting.
• Patient and Staff Safety Initiatives
• Promote best practices in infection prevention to reduce risks of transmission.
• Ensure a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors by establishing and overseeing protocols for high-risk areas, such as surgical wards and intensive care units.

Qualifications and Skills

• Licensing: Current registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC).
• Education: Diploma/Degree in Nursing; a Post-Basic Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control or a related field is preferred.
• Certifications: Infection Prevention and Control certification recognized in South Africa (NICD recommended).
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in infection control or clinical nursing in a hospital setting.
• Technical Skills: Knowledge of SANS infection control standards, GPP guidelines, NICD protocols, and epidemiology principles.
• Soft Skills: Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work in a hospital setting with frequent exposure to clinical environments.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, if necessary, during outbreaks or other emergencies.

Job Type: Full-time
Ability to commute/relocate:

• Vryheid, Kwa Zulu-Natal: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)