Infection Control Nurse, Registered Nurse

Full time, Days, Direct hire.

Job Objective:

The Infection Preventionist provides assistance to the Infection Prevention Manager for the surveillance and prevention of infectious disease in the hospitalized patients, employees, volunteers, visitors, and licensed independent practitioners. The Infection Preventionist is under the direct Supervisor of the Infection Prevention Manager. The Infection Preventionist provides coverage and has authority to implement Infection Prevention or Public Health control measures in the absence of the Manager or Director.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• With the Infection Prevention Manager participates in the design and development of the Infection Prevention.
• Contributes to the development and continuous improvement of Infection Prevention systems that support the planning process.
• Provides evidence-based information/literature to meet the informational and educational needs of the healthcare district staff, physicians, and community for infection control practices.
• Assists the Infection Prevention Manager in providing for the Infection Prevention Education of Staff.
• Surveillance:

• Collection of healthcare associated infection data through appropriate informational systems of the Hospital.
• Assists with incorporating successful performance improvement strategies to contribute to the prevention of healthcare associated infections.
• Works as liaison with public health officials and community agencies and oversees compliance with regulatory standards related to Infection Prevention.
• Works collaboratively with the laboratory regarding microbiology and serology regarding issues related to infection prevention.
• Conducts Infection Prevention rounds for Isolation Utilization and Environment of Care Standards Compliance.
• Reports to the Infection Prevention Manager when new Infection Prevention issues are identified.

• Prevention of infections:

• Monitors effects of intervention strategies on the infection rates.
• Provides input into sterilization, sanitizing, disinfection and cleaning procedures and their agents.
• Provides input into the linen and waste management programs.
• Acts as consultant to the Environment of Care and Employee Health Programs.
• Conducts Infection Control Risk Assessments for Construction projects.
• Provides consultation to Construction design or project monitoring as needed.
• Provides input into New Product analysis and acquisition.
• Provides timely reports on the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention Program to the Infection Prevention Manager.

• Serves as a member of the Infection Control Performance Subcommittee assisting the Infection Prevention Manager with preparation of reports and providing agenda information to Medical Staff Services.
• Supports the Infection Prevention Manager with review of hospital wide departmental infection prevention policies and procedures as needed, but no less than every 3 years.
• Assists the Infection Prevention Manager with compliance of Department of Health Service and Joint Commission standards, as well as implementation of CDC Guidelines for preventing infection.
• Provides coverage in the absence of the Infection Prevention Manager.
• Has authority to implement any necessary control measures in the event of an outbreak.
• Confers with Chairman of the Infection Control Committee when appropriate.
• Conducts Outbreak investigation and other surveillance studies when appropriate in collaboration with the Infection Prevention Manager.
• Conforms to Affirmative Action guidelines.
• Assists the Infection Prevention Manager in conducting and completing infection prevention performance improvement strategies including but not limited to Focus Review, Gap Analysis for new Guidelines or Standards, Performance Improvement Teams, and/or Root Cause Analysis.
• Works collaboratively with Occupational Health for post-exposure follow-up and compliance with both Tuberculosis/Airborne Transmissible Diseases and Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plans.

Non-Essential Duties:

• Clerical work such as office filing, typing of reports and answering telephones.
• Community education.
• Other miscellaneous duties as required.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Prevention Program and meeting regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of current state, county, and federal regulations regarding infection prevention practices.
• Knowledge of hospital microbiology for interpretation of cultures and their relationship to infection acquired through infection control experience or epidemiology classes.

Skills

• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite and MS Outlook.
• Strong interpersonal skills including verbal communication for staff education, patient interaction as needed, and medical staff.
• Skilled in being a change agent and motivating staff.
• Strong analytical skills to complete risk assessments, data trending, and development of performance improvement strategies.

Abilities

• Ability to prepare Spreadsheets, Graphs, Charts and PowerPoint presentations.
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, epidemiology, microbiology, or public health preferred or equivalent work experience.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Membership in APIC required within one year.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required.