Infection Control Officer (Cruise) – Worldwide

Position Title: Infection Control Officer
Reports to: Staff Captain, onboard; Public Health Manager, shoreside
Creation Date: April 2020
Revision Date: January 20, 2021

Position Summary:

The Infection Control Officer is responsible for the coordination and execution of the company’s shipboard Infection Prevention and Control Program, ensuring the company’s public health and infectious disease standards are met and/or exceeded onboard to improve Crewmember and Guest safety through high quality care.

The Infection Control Officer may be required to perform other job-related duties assigned by the Senior Doctor or Public Health Manager. All duties and responsibilities are to be performed
in accordance with the Company’s Medical, Safety, Quality and Environmental standards.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Nursing, Medical Technology, Microbiology, Public Health or equivalent.
  • With a minimum 3 years of experience in implementing and evaluating infection control programs and working with regulatory agencies, or 2 years of shipboard experience as a Chief Nurse.
    OR Willing to take a course in Infection Control approved by RCG.
    OR
• Master’s Degree in Nursing, Epidemiology, Public Health or equivalent.
  • With an emphasis on infection control.
    OR Willing to take a course in Infection Control approve by RCG.
    AND
• Current CIC (Certificate in Infection Control) or equivalent
  • Certificates must be valid for the entire lengths of the contract, and it is the responsibility of the Infection Prevention Officer to take the courses and tests that are necessary to keep these licenses valid along with any necessary post graduate credits
    OR Willing to take a course in Infection Control approved by RCG.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, plus a variety of other word-processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, and presentation software
• Ability to multi-task and remain organized, and flexible in a fast-paced environment

Operational Effectiveness:

• The areas included in the scope of the program are composed of, but not limited to:
• Supervision of immunization programs
• Ensure that PPE usage and guidelines are followed such as proper donning and doffing, while ensuring adequate supplies of PPE are maintained onboard
• Oversee Vessel Sanitation Program compliance on board and report into shoreside public health to ensure suitable records are maintained in accordance with VSP/CDC guidelines.
• Conduct outbreak investigations.
• Perform risk assessments on board.
• Ensure hand hygiene compliance and monitoring per SOP
• Ensure temperature check data, which is provided by other on-board departments, is uploaded into Sea Care.
• Oversee Medical Center cleaning protocols and training of the hospital cleaners
• Oversee proper logging and tracking of sharp containers and disposal procedures
• Monitor compliance of corporate needle stick policy
• Oversees testing and logging of water samples
• Review protocols with the pier coordinator to ensure the embarkation process is in line with company policy of social distancing and infection control policies and the medical screening process flows smoothly.
• Coordinates public health related functions with the medical team to ensure adherence with the highest operational standards of public health and compliance with company’s public health policies.
• Monitors gastrointestinal illness activity and guides the execution of the company’s Outbreak

Prevention Plan protocols

• Oversees the execution of the isolation and quarantine plan.
• Organizes and delivers public health awareness training to shipboard staff, ensuring awareness of all OPP protocols, CoVID-19 and medical waste management.
• Provides blood borne pathogen training and addresses other infectious concerns that may arise.
• Routinely communicates program effectiveness, best practices and lessons learned to the Director of Public Health.
• Contribute to ship infection control annual report.

People Skills:

Interpersonal Effectiveness:

• Stays “above the line” and accepts ownership for achieving results in all areas of accountability including SGI, ratings, revenue, Workplace Safety.
• Is a role model for others and serves as a positive ambassador of RCG.
• Resolves conflict with fact-based communication.
• Fosters team unity and inspires commitment to RCG
• Collaborates well and works up, down and across the organization
• Assists in training of all crew, including new hires
• Coaches and mentors’ potential future members of the team

Brand Culture:

• Knows our brand standards and is always accountable for executing against them.
• Guest facing communication is professional, on brand and visually appealing.
• Is a role model for others and serves as a positive ambassador of RCG.
• Exhibits professional presence, positive energy, and passion in all situations.
• Brings out the best in his/her team through authenticity, care and humility.

Physical & Language Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or
smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision,

• peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• All shipboard employees must be physically able to participate in emergency lifesaving procedures and drills. Full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities are required to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats. Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• All shipboard employees must be able to communicate in the English language to understand and interpret written procedures. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from guests, supervisors, and co-workers.