Position profile: The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) invites qualified physicians to apply for the position of 0.30-0.60 full time equivalent (FTE) Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Senior Clinical Advisor. The successful applicant will join the clinical Department of Medicine and will work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team providing IPAC services throughout Saskatchewan. 

Infection Prevention and Control emphasizes prevention, and deals clinically and administratively with the health needs of both individuals and groups with respect to their working environments and includes the recognition, evaluation, control, and management of healthcare-associated infections. The IPAC Senior Clinical Advisor will build strong relationships with key partners and will promote, implement and support Infection Prevention and Control best practices throughout the SHA. The IPAC Senior Clinical Advisor will have additional training or experience and responsibilities at the provincial level, to provide expertise and assist in the development of provincial policy, programs and protocols. 

Compensation details: Competitive independent contract 

Benefits: Benefits are the responsibility of the successful candidate 

Location of practice: Saskatchewan (community to be determined) 

Qualifications/Requirements of the position: Candidates must hold certification or be eligible for certification with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and be eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS). Preference will be given to candidates who hold certification in Infectious Diseases, Occupational Medicine, Public Health and Preventive Medicine or Medical Microbiology. 

Specific Accountabilities: The IPAC Senior Clinical Advisor will work in a defined physician partnership relationship with administrative leadership (Director, IPAC) to provide clinical advice, direction, and the establishment and management of policies, frameworks and service delivery models for planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluation and quality improvement for public health programs and services. Through shared accountabilities they build and maintain a highly skilled, engaged IPAC professional staff. 

As the Infection Prevention and Control Senior Clinical Advisor, the successful candidate will: 

– Demonstrate a strong commitment to best practice; 

– Provide provincial (SHA-wide) clinical oversight/direction as well as advice/guidance and review of SHA IPAC policies and procedures, guidelines and recommendations. Research and collaborate with other jurisdictions nationally and internationally, as required; 

– Develop provincial medical directives in conjunction with the Senior Medical Officer and other physician leads as appropriate; 

– Chair/co-chair provincial committees and working groups to ensure provincial co-ordination and consistency of clinical IPAC recommendations, decisions, and implementation; 

– Work in a partnership capacity with the Director, IPAC to develop and progress portfolio strategic plans and goals; 

– Provide medical, scientific and epidemiological advice on matters related to infection prevention and control across the SHA in accordance with current evidence-based practices; 

– Contribute by advising, reviewing and providing feedback to provincial Infection Control Coordinators (ICCs) regarding the development and implementation of infection prevention control policies, procedures, guidelines and recommendations; 

– Collaborate with the SHA Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Medical Health Officer (MHO) Area Department Leads and Area Chiefs of Staff to support understanding and application of IPAC guidelines within SHA health care facilities; 

– Build credibility with physicians as champions for IPAC; 

– Support the implementation and continued integration of IPAC portfolio initiatives by physicians; 

– Forge productive collaborations with other members of the SHA (i.e., medical specialties, Public Health), the university as well as provincial (Ministry of Health) and national partners; 

– Advocate for building healthy public policy, creating supportive environments, and strengthening community action to improve IPAC; 

– Establish and maintain an adequate, year-round (52 weeks per year) coverage during regular hours and after-hours on call in collaboration with the IPAC Clinical Directors; 

– Travel within Saskatchewan may be required.