Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Implementer

Field-based position with visits to the headquarters in Geneva

Context & Mission

Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent humanitarian organization providing medical aid to victims of man-made or natural disasters, epidemics, and endemics. Its Operational Centre in Geneva is responsible for medical assistance programmes in 24 countries.

Health Care Associated Infections (HAIs) are the most frequent and most severe complications in healthcare structures and a great concern for patient safety. IPC is a practical, evidence-based approach preventing patients and health care workers from being harmed by avoidable infections and hospital outbreaks. IPC is closely linked also with the good practice of Nursing care.

The “flying IPC” will train and advise to enable the implementation and respect of MSF standards, protocols and good practices related to the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections in MSF OCG projects. The aim is to ensure the Quality of Care and safety of patients, caretakers, and staff in primary and secondary health structures.

Components of the Flying IPC – Implementer position include:

Provide direct field support and guidance to missions/projects/field teams in the implementation, application and follow-up of IPC good practices in the health facilities.

Tasks and Responsibilities

IPC measures

• Perform assessments & evaluations of IPC situation using existing tools: infrastructure, human resources, organisation, adherence to IPC measures in all services including support services (sterilization unit, laundry and kitchen). Results are analysed & shared in multidisciplinary team and the hygiene committee
• Provide technical support and guidance to ensure the implementation and maintenance of standard precautions in the health structures in all departments and support services, as well as transmitted-based precautions when necessary
• Provide technical support in the design of correct clean and dirty flows inside the health structure in collaboration with multidisciplinary team
• Provide technical support and expertise to ensure correct use of detergents/disinfectants
• Provides technical expertise, support, training and guidance to staff on IPC related issues using existing or new tools

Hygiene committee

• Provide support to ensure the good functioning of the hygiene committee
• Provide support in the implementation of the hygiene committee if not in place, raising awareness and information on it’s importance, benefice and it’s organization.
• Provide support in the identification and prioritization of IPC problems, gaps, obstacles in collaboration with the hygiene committee, analysis of evaluation’s results
• Technical support to the hygiene committee in the development of IPC action plans, their implementation and follow-up, with clear role and responsibilites
• Technical support to the committee in the implementation of protocols, new tools, training plans and content development, verification of dirty-clean flows, verification if protocols are respected (for exemple the sterilization) and provide readjustment when necessary

Human resources

• Provide direct field support to teams in the identification /recrutment of a national IPC supervisor or IPC “focal point” in the projects
• Provide support and guidance to the IPC national supervisor or IPC “focal point” in their daily activities, in the use of standardized tools for monitoring and surveillance
• Provide training/ on the job coaching and capacity building to the IPC national supervisor or IPC “focal point”, nursing care director, headnurse, supervisors: hygienists, sterilization, laundry and kitchen departments

Surveillance and monitoring

• Provide technical expertise and support in the implementation and follow-up of Healthcare associated infections (especially surgical site infections and catheter related bloodstream infections) through data collection, surveillance tools, bundles and checklists
• Provide technical expertise and support in the implementation and follow-up of hand hygiene observation/monitoring
• Provide technical support and guidance to teams in the occurrence of hospital outbreaks in collaboration with IPC advisor and experts

Antibiotic resistance stewardship

• Provide support to the project regarding IPC aspects when Antibiotic resistance stewardship is being implemented in the project

Your Profile

Education

• Nursing care degree (registered nurse), midwife degree
• Experience working in Operating theatre, Intensive Care Unit is an asset
• Degree in Infection Prevention and Control is an asset

Experience and Skills

• Significant experience in hospital environment in low resource settings for MSF or other NGOs
• Preferable: Previous experience in Infection Prevention and Control field / programs

Languages

• Fluent French
• Fluent English

Personal Abilities & Skills

• Personal flexibility relating to travel schedule
• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural persons
• Open-minded
• Good communication skills
• Ability to teach and listen
• Ability to carry-on assessments and analysis of the information
• Diplomacy
• Ability to formalise written reports on roll-out activities

Terms of Employment

• Fixed-term contract, 12 months
• Full-time, 100% (40h/week)
• Working place : Field-based position with visits to the headquarters in Geneva
• Practical working conditions in the field are in accordance with the MSF OCG volunteer manual.
• Ideal start date: As Soon As Possible
• Gross monthly salary: CHF 5’500.- based on 100%
• Benefits: Health insurance and living expenses in the countries of intervention and at headquarters, paid according to internal regulations.