I am completing my practicum in the Infection Prevention & Control Department of Toronto General Hospital, which directs the entire University Health Network. Though I only began my placement on May 1st, so much has happened in such a short amount of time. The University Health Network is an incredibly intimidating place at first, with over 16,000 employees and 9 physical sites. It felt impossible to make my mark that first day, but that all changed once I met my individual department and began working with this incredibly talented group of professionals. The IPAC department is full of individuals with various backgrounds (Public Health, Epidemiology, Medicine etc.), and they are responsible for overseeing all infection concerns within the network. My supervisor is Director of the department, and my cubicle is located among the Infection Control Practitioners (ICPs), my chosen career path.
Everyone is incredibly welcoming and supportive, but as a new hire you also have to put in the effort to put yourself out there and make a name for yourself. By the end of my first day I had offered my services to almost everyone in the unit, and had arranged shadowing opportunities for the following day. As I did not begin my project until my second week at TGH, I spent my first week trying to make myself indispensable. I was placed in charge of training Transplant Unit volunteers on additional Infection Control precautions, and attended unit safety huddles daily. I also took the initiative to contact UHN’s Communications Department, and ended up writing a story about a Unit’s Hand Hygiene Day event so that it could be featured on the UHN Intranet. Though anxious about not beginning my project, I feel that my first week was well spent by ingratiating myself to the unit, making connections, and showcasing my drive to get as much out of this placement as possible.
On Tuesday of my second week, I met with my Supervisor to officially discuss my project regarding Influenza Outbreaks, specifically those called after hours or on holidays. It was a tad overwhelming, as for an hour we simply listed all of the “first steps”. My project is to manage and develop a response for the entire UHN, and it will require me to familiarize myself with all four sites and individuals therein. Educational seminars must be prepared, chains of command must be established, and patient flow links must be mapped out to ensure when one unit closes, subsequently affected ones can be on high alert. It seems monumental at the moment, but I am sure that once I start chipping away at the list it will all fall into place. Cheers to challenges and amazing experiences!