Opportunities

Job ID: 44614

Job Category: Health Services

Division & Section: Public Health, PH Communicable Disease Control

Work Location: 277 Victoria Street   

Job Type & Duration: 1 Temporary Vacancy (Approximately 6 months)

Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $43.58 - $47.75, TF0176, Wage Grade: 13

Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week. 

Affiliation: L79 Full-time

Number of Positions Open: 1

Posting Period: 12-Feb-2024 to 27-Feb-2024

Job Posting

Major Responsibilities:

Reports to the Manager, Control of Infectious Diseases/Infection Control and is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) and related provincial acts, regulations, and municipal by-laws through the investigation of communicable disease cases and outbreaks and the inspection of specific premises to ensure infection prevention and control (IPAC) standards are implemented.

The Public Health Inspector:

• Reports to program manager when developing and implementing inspection activities or prevention processes within the program such as the Mandatory Blood Testing Act Regulation, community and immunization clinic needle-stick injury reports and blood/body fluid exposures.
• Initiates the development, implementation and maintenance of operational procedures, information systems, administrative documentation and record control for health programs.
• Identifies, assesses and investigates health hazards in residential, commercial, recreational, social and industrial premises, ranging from chemicals and toxins, waste disposal, pesticide, indoor air quality, and communicable (i.e., pathological wastes, discarded blood tubes) and non-communicable diseases related to food borne and/or improper hygiene.  Carries out on-site investigations to determine the nature and extent of the violation.
• Conducts on-site assessments and inspections of public institutions (i.e. day nurseries, nursing homes, funeral homes, schools, group homes) and other public premises (i.e. personal services settings) on a regular basis to ensure facilities are maintained and operations are being carried out in accordance with all applicable legislation and established preventive health practices.
• Educates clients on the legislative requirements for their premises and works with them to attain or maintain the required standards.  Identifies hazards, interprets the legislative requirements and develops a course of action with the client.  In consultation with the client, establishes priorities in order to achieve compliance, monitors progress and provides additional assistance as necessary.
• Educates communicable disease suspect cases on proper food handling, Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC), safety and hygiene; consults with physicians and health professionals on IPAC.
• Completes and/or prepares and writes orders which give direction outlining the nature of the violation and defining all actions to be undertaken by persons in contravention of established health standards.  Gathers, completes and processes all legal documentation in accordance with recognized standards and maintains compliance with all legislations (e.g. HPPA, PHIPA).  Coordinates legal activities with the Legal Division and provincial courts and coordinates the preparation of all necessary reports.  Attends court or Health Protection Appeal Board, (quasi-judicial inquiries tribunal) as an expert witness as necessary.  In non-compliance situations proceeds to legal action.  Executes a search warrant in extreme cases.  Serves Provincial Offences notices and summonses as a Provincial Offences Officer, works with the prosecutor in case preparation and gives evidence in court.  Initiates and completes closure posting action of premises
• Responds to outbreaks in high risk settings such as, but not limited to, day cares, long term care homes, retirement homes, and shelters.   Maintains line lists and epidemiological curves and makes recommendations to prevent further spread and supports TPH response to emergencies requiring public health interventions. This can include on site audits as part of the outbreak investigation and participation on IPAC committees and outbreak management team meetings.
• Investigates communicable disease cases, outbreaks, conducts contract tracing, food-borne complaints, liaises with stakeholders to execute food or product recalls.
• Collects samples and specimens and forwards to laboratory for analysis.  Provides interpretation of laboratory results and initiates further action if necessary.
• Develops and implements environmental health programs, interventions and procedures to reduce targeted health hazards based on demographics, cultural and socio-economic elements and other aspects of the inspection area as assigned in each health office area.
• Implements and coordinates special events.
• Works with other city divisions and department staff on city-wide projects.  Prepares and delivers presentations to community groups, agencies and the Community Health Board as requested.  Works jointly with the Ministry of Health e to share information and expertise and provide an aligned service to the community.
• Participates in the interview process for the hiring of students. Mentors students, provides guidance and training in drafting research papers. Provides work direction and consultation to new staff and students to ensure accuracy, consistency and adherence to recognized policies, divisional procedures, city policies and legislated standards.   Completes the evaluation forms of student inspectors.  Assists in the orientation of groups or individuals such as medical students and other health professionals.
• Assists in the development and implementation of in-service sessions, in conjunction with the education consultant, of peers and other departmental staff.
• Assists in the preparation and drafting of new by-laws and policies and procedures and their implementation.  Maintains a current level of knowledge in technical information related to environmental health by attending educational conferences.
• Participates on boards, committees and work groups.  Represents the area and the department on intra- and inter-departmental and community committees to identify changing community health needs and assist in planning programs to meet those needs.
• Collects and/or coordinates the collection and packaging of substances (e.g. foodstuffs, specimens, etc.) for laboratory analysis, interprets results and takes appropriate action.  Maintains familiarity with related equipment, assessment tools, and changing techniques.  Interprets results and provides feedback to the client
• Liaises with the community to provide information on communicable disease health issues.  Responds to enquiries from the public on all communicable disease health issues e.g. IPAC
• Reviews the accuracy and ensures the timely submission of all inspection reports and daily activity sheet

1. Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:
2. A baccalaureate University Degree in Science, Health Sciences or equivalent.
3. Possession of a Canadian Certificate in Public Health Inspection.
4. Knowledge of enforcing all statutes and Municipal By-Laws with respect to infection prevention and control, and communicable disease control.
5. Experience in interviewing and follow up of individuals (and their contacts) diagnosed with a communicable disease.
6. Experience in case and contact management, outbreak investigations and basic communicable diseases epidemiology.5.
7. Possession of a valid Class "G" Ontario Driver's License and access to a vehicle

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain good public relations.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, exercise initiative, work independently, be solution-focused and manage change.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, to prepare reports and provide health promotion and educational activities.
• Ability to speak effectively in public.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to discuss sensitive information with clients.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant public health protocols, statutes and Municipal By-Laws with respect to infection prevention and control, and communicable disease control.
• Ability to work flexible hours – after hours, overtime, shift work including evenings and weekends.