Infection Control Support Associate

Job Description

Mission
Under the direction of site leadership and with clinical guidance from the Regional IP&C LTC Leads—and working within the organisation's Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Direction—the Infection Control Support Associate performs key responsibilities to support infection prevention and control (IP&C) activities across assigned sites.

• Interacts with the public, residents/clients/patients, and healthcare team members.
• Works in a fast‑paced environment; may be required to sit or stand for extended periods.
• May be assigned to multiple sites or provide cross‑coverage for IP&C colleagues.
• May encounter individuals exhibiting aggressive behaviour.

• Implements, monitors, and evaluates adherence to provincial and regional IP&C policies, procedures, and operational directives.
• Ensures consistency of practice and regulatory compliance.
• Directs staff in the timely implementation of IP&C measures.
• Communicates and collaborates on IP&C matters with site management and regional leadership.
• Ensures compliance with established provincial and regional IP&C surveillance in long-term care.

• Guides on:
  • Routine practices and additional precautions
  • Sterilisation, disinfection, and cleaning
  • Outbreak management
  • Construction/renovation safety measures
  • Occupational health concerns related to communicable disease transmission
• Performs ongoing site risk assessments related to IP&C practices.
• Escalates issues appropriately to Regional IP&C LTC Leads and site leadership.
• Supports decision-making and problem-solving for staff regarding IP&C issues.
• Communicates IP&C concerns affecting individual residents or families.
• Promotes IP&C best practices through ongoing presence in resident, staff, and public areas.

• Reviews diagnostic/lab results and responds appropriately.
• Assesses infectious diagnoses and determines required IP&C measures.
• Identifies potential outbreaks, initiates investigations, and collaborates with stakeholders to implement control strategies.
• Advises on and monitors residents on Additional Precautions.
• Ensures timely outbreak management, communication, and site support.
• Adheres to regional and provincial outbreak management processes.

• Collaborates with site leadership and staff to conduct audits and risk assessments.
• Helps develop risk reduction strategies.
• Reviews educational content from other programs to ensure IP&C accuracy.
• Identifies occupational health and safety IP&C concerns and informs OESH and site leadership.
• Uses electronic software to maintain surveillance data and reports.
• Utilises electronic resources for communication, scheduling, reporting, validation, and documentation.

• Implements IP&C quality improvement initiatives as directed.
• Participates in planning, evaluating, and implementing quality improvement activities.
• Assesses personal learning needs and engages in ongoing professional development.
• Attends relevant education, conferences, and workshops.
• Participates in IPAC Canada activities.
• Strives toward IP&C certification after one year of practice (re-certification every 5 years).
• Maintains required competencies.

• Adheres to Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health regulations and safe work practices.
• Identifies safety concerns and collaborates with appropriate stakeholders to resolve them.
• Complies with all applicable facility, regional, and provincial policies, standards, and directives.
• Provides cross-coverage for other IP&C positions as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within scope.

• Baccalaureate degree in a health-related field (clinical care, microbiology, epidemiology, public health).
• Completion of an IPAC Canada–endorsed Infection Prevention and Control Course (required within 1 year if not already completed).
• Certification in Infection Control (CBIC) preferred.

• Minimum 2 years in a clinical healthcare setting OR experience/training in microbiology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, or diagnostics.
• Previous IP&C experience preferred.
• Current registration with the relevant professional licensing body.
• Active membership with IPAC Canada (required as a condition of employment).

• Strong understanding of:
  • Infection Prevention and Control roles/responsibilities
  • PHIA (Personal Health Information Act)
  • Microbiology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and biostatistics
  • Core IP&C competencies
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong prioritisation and decision-making skills in dynamic environments.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant software tools.

• Continuous mentorship, lifelong learning, and professional development support.
• Opportunities for advancement within the organisation.
• Meaningful work that enriches the lives of seniors and contributes to high-quality care.
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
• Comprehensive benefits package.

Extendicare is a leading provider of senior care and services in Canada. With over 115 operated senior living centres and extensive home health care operations, Extendicare is committed to delivering high-quality care that meets the needs of an expanding seniors' population. Its team of more than 23,700 employees is dedicated to the vision of becoming the best provider of senior care and services in Canada.

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.​

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Extendicare is committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive, and equitable hiring process. We gladly accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of recruitment and selection upon request.​