Infection Preventionist RN

Infection Preventionist RN

Requirements

• Possession of a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university
• 2 years or more experience preferably in a long term care facility
• Must possess a working knowledge of epidemiology, microbiology, infectious diseases, and aseptic technique to include standard/universal precautions
• Ability to read technical procedures
• Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and employees
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations
• Ability to solve practical problems
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in this state
• Current CPR certification
• Must maintain all required continuing education for licensing
• Must remain in good standing with the State Board of Nursing at all times

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, coordinate, and direct our infection control program in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern such requirements in nursing care facilities
• Ensure that the facility follows current CDC, OSHA, and local regulations concerning infection control or standard/universal precautions
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update infection control precautions and aseptic technique that successfully correct problem areas
• Interpret infection control policies and procedures as necessary
• Maintain a reference library of written infection control material that will assist the facility in meeting the day to day needs of the isolated resident
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the infection control program of this facility
• Assist all departments in evaluating and classifying routine and job related functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified
• Monitor infection control practices and procedures to ensure that all personnel are implementing our standard operating procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids
• Make rounds to nursing units for the purpose of case findings, review of environmental sanitation procedures, and supervision of isolation precautions/practices
• Visit isolated residents as necessary to ensure that established isolation precautions and aseptic technique are followed
• Ensure that laboratory support is available, including microbiological and serological services
• Review and analyze infectious disease laboratory reports and consult with the Director of Nursing Services in developing the care plan for assuring that aseptic techniques are implemented
• Assist in developing and implementing guidelines for the decontamination and sterilization activities performed in the facility
• Perform periodic testing of our prepared sterile packs, bundles, and supplies, including sterilization equipment
• Monitor the designated shelf life of medical items wrapped and sterilized at the facility
• Reprocess as necessary
• Ensure that all personnel follow established procedures for the disposal and removal of infective and contaminated materials from the facility
• Prepare monthly summaries of all resident/personnel infections, corrective action taken, and the results of the corrective action
• Submit copies to the Administrator and Director of Nursing Services
• Prepare summaries of special investigations on the occurrence of nosocomial and community acquired infections
• Provide the Director of Nursing Services with a report of pertinent findings and recommendations pertaining to nosocomial infection
• Maintain a written record of all residents and employees who have nosocomial infections
• Participate in surveys of possible carriers among residents and personnel, and in tracing possible sources of infection within the facility
• Assist the Director of Laundry Services in developing infection control procedures for the handling of clean and soiled laundry/linen, equipment cleaning, etc.
• Assist the Director of Environmental Services in developing infection control procedures for the routine and terminal cleaning of isolation rooms and areas, equipment cleaning, etc.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be directed
• Assist the Discharge Planning Coordinator in developing and implementing discharge plans for the resident in isolation or on infection control precautions
• Assist in the development and implementation of a facility wide TB management control program
• Report all reportable diseases to the county and state health departments
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary
• Serve on, participate in, and attend Infection Control Committee meetings
• Represent the Infection Control Committee as required
• Assist the Infection Control Committee in evaluating and revising our infection control practices and aseptic technique to ensure continued sanitation practices are maintained throughout the facility
• Assist the Infection Control Committee in establishing the criteria for classifying all routine and reasonably anticipated job related tasks to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded
• Provide the Infection Control Committee with written and oral reports concerning all nosocomial infections within the facility
• Ensure that major changes in our cleaning products or techniques are approved by the Infection Control Committee
• Assist in evaluating and implementing recommendations from the Infection Control Committee
• Provide information relative to TB assessment and make recommendations concerning the protocols to follow in isolating TB cases
• Develop and implement a practical system of detecting, evaluating, recording, and reporting infections that originate with facility personnel
• Assist the personnel director in developing and implementing our employee health services program, to include individual counseling
• Provide employee counseling as outlined in our infection control and employee health program
• Provide personnel with information concerning the facility’s policies governing hepatitis B vaccinations
• Assist in establishing the TB Mantoux testing and recordkeeping protocols for all employees
• Orient new employees to the importance of infection control policies and procedures, personal hygiene, handwashing/hand hygiene techniques, etc., as well as the employee’s responsibility in following our established procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents
• Meet with the staff to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services, as necessary
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with all department directors and personnel to ensure that infection control services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents
• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations
• Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel
• Make appropriate reports to the Administrator and/or Director of Nursing Services as necessary
• Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator
• Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen saver activates within established facility policy guidelines
• Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility
• Ensure that all nursing service personnel follow established isolation precautions and aseptic technique to include standard/universal precautions
• Ensure that residents with known communicable or infectious diseases are placed in isolation or on infection control precautions to include standard/universal precautions
• Interview residents or family members and explain isolation and standard/universal precautions as necessary
• Make rounds with physicians as necessary
• Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians’ orders, etc., on a timely basis and in accordance with current regulations
• Monitor medication passes and treatments to ensure that appropriate handwashing/hand hygiene techniques are being followed in the handling and administering of drugs, medications, and treatments
• Review nurses’ notes of those residents in/on isolation precautions to ensure that they are informative and descriptive of the nursing care being provided and that they reflect the resident’s response to the care
• Assist nursing service personnel in performing nursing care procedures as necessary
• Obtain culture samples in accordance with our established procedures
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary
• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to our infection control and employee health program
• Assist support services in developing, implementing, and conducting in service training programs relative to infection control
• Assist the In service Director/Educator in developing annual OSHA and CDC in service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens standard
• Develop a training program for all personnel required to perform tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids
• Recommend to the Director of Nursing Services the equipment and supply needs for maintaining an effective infection control program
• Ensure that a stock level of medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on premises at all times to adequately meet the needs of the resident
• Assist the maintenance director in developing a preventive maintenance program for maintaining the nursing department’s equipment and supplies in a safe and operable manner
• Develop and implement procedures that ensure nursing service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste
• Ensure that established policies governing the labeling or tagging of contaminated equipment are followed when such equipment must be sent for repair or decontamination
• Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident in isolation or on infection control precautions that identifies the problems/needs of the resident, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care
• Insofar as practical, encourage the resident to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care and explain to the resident the need to follow infection control practices and standard/universal precautions
• Assist in the scheduling of care plans to be presented and discussed at each committee meeting in relation to prevention and control of infectious diseases
• Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the care plan
• Ensure that the care plan is reviewed prior to administering daily care to the isolated resident or prior to performing nursing care procedures involving exposure to blood/body fluids
• Review nurses’ notes to determine if the care plan is being followed
• Review and revise care plans as necessary, but at least quarterly
• Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing the resident’s total regimen of care in preventing and controlling infections
• Assist the Director of Nursing Services in preparing the budget for the department in relation to its infection control program and activities
• Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Director of Nursing Services adjustments that ensure the continued ability to prevent and control infectious diseases
• Recommend to the Director of Nursing Services the equipment and supply needs for the Infection Control Program and its activities
• Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc.
• Identify, evaluate, and classify routine and job related functions to ensure that tasks in which there is potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded
• Assist department directors in developing policies and procedures to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases
• Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in service training programs prior to performing such tasks
• Ensure that adequate supplies of personal protective equipment are on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids
• Assist in developing policies and procedures in the handling and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments
• Assist the maintenance engineer in developing and implementing waste disposal policies and procedures for infectious waste, supplies, etc.
• Assess and/or evaluate new or improved resident care products or procedures
• Provide counseling for employee testing mandate required for HBV and TB exposure and maintain in confidential manner
• Maintain resident/employee exposure reports in a confidential manner

Preferred Qualifications

• APIC Certification in infection control preferred, but not necessary
• Knowledge and experience with PCC preferred