Infection Control Nurse

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This position surveys the hospital for the presence of nosocomial infections, makes recommendations related to said analysis, and ensures hospital policies and procedures reflect a standard of practice best able to prevent and/or reduce the incidence of nosocomial infection. Bases decisions made/actions taken on relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Current Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Registered Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).


2. Current Certification in Infection Control through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. or obtain within 2 years of hire date.

3. Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Five (5) years of nursing experience with at least three (3) years of experience in infection control.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE:

1. Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN).

EXPERIENCE:

1. Five (5) years of experience in infection control.

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Prepares and/or reviews daily the list of significant cultures. Cultures are selected using the definitions for infection as set by Centers of Disease Control and any modifications identified within the Infection Control Manual.

2. Visits designated hospital units on a frequency determined as appropriate for the acuity of the area.

3. Reviews Medical Records if patient dies or is discharged before surveillance information is complete, or if patient returns to Hospital and has a significant culture result so as to include discharge infections in monthly report.

4. Obtains denominator information necessary to calculate rates.

5. Assists with investigating any trends from nosocomial infections and/or SSIs.

6. Advises health care colleagues about hospital isolation policy and disposition of infected/colonized patients and adequate, courteous handling of patients

7. Reviews microbiology reports notifies patient care nursing units of need for isolation of patients colonized or infected with certain organisms as determined by isolation policies.

8. Checks patients in isolation to determine if isolation is appropriate and institutes necessary isolation measures for new case, as recommended by isolation policies.

9. Ensures with each isolation case that both nursing and medical staff is apprised of need to start or stop isolation measure as recommended in isolation policies.

10. Investigates clusters of all significant infections occurring above the expected level, helps formulate actions and policies that will lead to containment of immediate problem and prevention of future re-occurrences. Provides data related to significant infections.

11. Arranges with microbiology laboratory for investigatory environmental cultures.

12. Collects necessary environmental cultures.

13. Assists in development and implementation of approved infection control measures to maintain a high level of asepsis in the hospital. Monitors compliance of practice with established standards of infection control practice

14. Advises unit manager/directors of acceptable standards for asepsis/disinfection and assists with plans to accomplish those goals on both a regular and yearly basis and as problems arise.

15. Conducts inservice training programs related to infection prevention and control to raise level of employee understanding and compliance.

16. Advises other and assists with presenting infection control inservices to various departments upon request.

17. Investigates the exposure of patients to tuberculosis, chicken pox (varicella), or other from visitor, patient or from an employee.

18. Contacts other agencies as necessary, e.g., nursing homes, day care centers, ambulance services

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends minimizing the need for employees to manually lift patients, and limit safe patient handling to 35 pounds. All transfers, lifts and re-positioning will be completed utilizing the lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient's profile and appropriate algorithms.

2. Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 35+lbs

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Working closely with others.

2. Working protracted or irregular hours.

3. Working around biohazards.

4. Working around infectious diseases.

5. Working with or near the deceased.

6. Working with hands in water.

7. Working with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions.

2. Working knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients.

3. Knowledge of and appropriate application of the nursing process.

4. Knowledge of professional theory, practice and procedure.

5. Ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, physicians, and other employees.

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40

Shift:

Exempt/Non-Exempt:
United States of America (Exempt)

Company:
UNTWN Uniontown Hospital

Cost Center:
50 UNTWN Nursing Infection Control

Address:
500 W Berkeley Street

Uniontown

Pennsylvania

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.