IPAC MANAGER

Job Description

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Manager – Extendicare Guildwood

At Extendicare, we believe that working as a team and celebrating achievements creates an environment that allows us to reach our potential. As a valued member of our clinical team, you will act as our infection prevention & control management expert ensuring the goals of the IPAC program are met within the home and manages and corrects staff performance, as necessary.

This position is for our Extendicare Guildwood Home, located in Scarborough.   

What you’ll be doing:

• Manages and oversees the LTC home’s IPAC program, consulting with the IPAC Consultant for the region as required in the successful development, implementation, and constant improvement and re-evaluation of the home’s IPAC program;
• As a member of the management team, manages and supervises all staff in relation to the IPAC Program. This includes, direct reports, resident aides and all staff pertaining to recruiting and hiring decisions, job postings and selection, supervision, determining staffing levels, schedules, hours, day off, and overtime approvals, performance management, performance evaluations, conducting workplace investigations and providing coaching, as well as disciplinary action up to and including dismissal when needed.
• Ensures the IPAC program in the home is consistent with standards, best practice and key principles established by applicable provincial standards and protocols and with Extendicare policies and procedures;
• Supervises, performance audits, investigates, evaluates, and performance manages the various roles & interdisciplinary team, responsible for carrying out the IPAC program in the home and chairs all home IPAC Committee meetings;
• Trains staff, residents, and care providers on IPAC standards and practices as outlined by Extendicare policies and procedures and applicable provincial directives at the commencement of their employment, annually, with any change in policies/ practices, as well as upon onset of an infectious disease outbreak in the home;
• Performs regular IPAC audits in the home and leads the investigation of IPAC breaches and makes decisions and implements performance management measures and discipline for staff IPAC breaches and non-compliances;
• Conducts IPAC risk assessments in the home, and leads development of corrective plans of action, reporting on progress at the IPAC Committee meetings quarterly;
• Represents the home as the point of contact with local public health units, Extendicare corporate IPAC consultants and Hospital IPAC partners;
• In partnership with the Administrator/Executive Director and IPAC Consultant establishes the IPAC Program budget for the home and then maintains that budget. This includes oversight on emergency stockpile inventory in the home, including personal protective equipment (PPE), and other critical supplies required in an outbreak (e.g., testing supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.);
• Attend and fully participate in management team meetings and decisions respecting staff and labour relations and maintain confidentiality respecting staff and labour relations issues, including but not limited to: managing grievances by responding to step 1 and step 2 hearings, representing management during labour management meetings (LMM) and acts as a strategic resource and/or member of the bargaining committee representing the employer.
• Assumes role of on duty manager of home in rotation with other management team members.
• Manage and assists with the development of the IPAC budget in partnership with the Operations and Finance and the IPAC Consultant.
• Manage the mask fit testing process for all staff in the home and ensure retesting requirements are maintained and tracked as per policy;
• Coordinates and manages staff respecting the implementation of any immunization programs, including reporting and data collection to corporate IPAC program for trending and analysis.
• Initiates and leads outbreak management protocols for the home in partnership with the IPAC Consultant;
• Oversees and manages staff respecting any required surveillance, testing, and contact tracing associated with infectious disease outbreaks in the home, in partnership with the local public health unit and local hospital (as appropriate);
• Management representative on Joint Health and Safety Committee and participates in all internal workplace inspections as part of the committee.
• Manages internal surveillance and monitoring processes and the staff implementing or required to comply with those processes, including internal line listing, and related outbreak management requirements;
• Manages and conducts outbreak management meetings within the home and in partnership with the local public health unit and corporate IPAC consultants;
• Manages and conducts regular and proactive communication with residents, families and staff related to infectious diseases outbreaks and protocols;
• In partnership with the Administrator/Executive Director and regional IPAC Consultant, ensures that the outbreak management protocol and pandemic plan are reviewed and evaluated annually in alignment with Extendicare’s policies and procedures;

What you bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required (BSc. Health Sciences, Microbiology, Life Science, Bio-chemistry, etc and/or Adult Education)
• 3-5 years’ experience working in health care, including public health sector, and 2-3 years in an IPAC lead or supervisory capacity;
• LTC home operational experience, considered an asset;
• Current Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is preferred, or, willingness to complete by April 2025;
• Demonstrated working knowledge of infection prevention control principles and practices;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, including provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and other provincial Acts/Guidelines/Regulations;
• Experience training health professionals using adult learning principles, practices and techniques
• Strong organization skills;
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications;
• Proficient computer skills including the use of health care information systems (e.g., PointClickCare) and sufficient ability using Microsoft Excel to create and manage line lists for outbreak management;
• Ability to make decisions in a timely manner using data and best practices related to the precautionary principle.

What you’ll get: 

• Continuous mentorship, support for life-long learning and growth opportunities 
• Opportunities for advancement and career growth within the organization 
• A rewarding and meaningful work experience where you can enrich your life and the lives of others  
• Employee Family Assistance Program 
• Robust benefits package. 

Extendicare is a leading provider of care and services for seniors throughout Canada. Through our network of over 115 operated senior care and living centres, as well as our home health care operations, we are committed to delivering care throughout the health care continuum to meet the needs of a growing seniors’ population in Canada. Our qualified and highly trained workforce of 23,700 individuals are united by a dedication to quality care and by our vision of being the best provider of senior care and services in Canada

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Extendicare's Policies on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of Extendicare’s hiring process.

Time Type:

At Extendicare, we’ve spent more than 50 years dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in our long-term care homes across Canada. When you join Extendicare, you become part of a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to creating a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for every resident we serve.​

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We provide competitive compensation that reflects the value of this role and the unique qualifications each candidate brings. Final salary offers are based on a variety of factors such as your skills, experience, education, and alignment with the responsibilities of this position.

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Base salary is one component of our broader total rewards package. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health, financial well-being, and long-term career growth. Your recruiter can provide more details about our total rewards offerings during the hiring process.​

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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support certain stages of the recruitment process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing candidate responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment — every application is reviewed by a member of our team to ensure thoughtful and equitable consideration. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.​

Extendicare is an equal opportunity employer committed to respectful and inclusive hiring practices. We welcome all applicants, including those from equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous peoples, women, people with disabilities, and visible minorities.

Extendicare is committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive, and equitable hiring process. We will gladly accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process upon request and in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require support during any stage of the process, email us at careers@extendicare.com.

We acknowledge that the care we provide across Canada occurs on lands that have been cared for by many Indigenous peoples for generations. We recognize First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and their enduring connection to this land, and the importance of respect and cultural safety in the work we do.