RN - Registered Nurse - Infection Control Specialist

Job Summary

As one of the Top 8 Most Innovative Healthcare Systems in Becker’s Hospital Review, we’re working to create a national model for improving health. Today, we’re focused on bringing our region services that improve every facet of life to drive total health, inside and out. Through professional growth, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, we’ve built an innovative culture that allows nurses to grow their skillsets, develop their practice, and leverage their years of experience to build a rewarding, lasting career with impact.

Job Duties

You’ll support the goals and objectives of the organization in efforts to provide safe, quality patient care, patient satisfaction, Infection Prevention and Control and successful Joint Commission and DOH surveys.

• At least 2 years of Registered Nurse work experience in a hospital setting is required.

• BSN is required.

• The ideal candidate will have previous experience in Infection Prevention, Joint Commission and DOH surveys.

• Previous working knowledge of epidemiology and infection disease principles preferred.

Benefits of working at Geisinger: 

• Full benefits (health, dental and vision) starting on day one 

• Three medical plan choices, including an expanded network for out-of-area employees and dependents

• Pre-tax savings plans with healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA) and a health savings account (HSA)

• Company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage

• 401(k) plan that includes automatic Geisinger contributions

• Generous paid time off (PTO) plan that allows you to accrue time quickly

• Up to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year

• MyHealth Rewards wellness program to improve your health while earning a financial incentive

• Family-friendly support including adoption and fertility assistance, parental leave pay, military leave pay and a free Care.com membership with discounted backup care for your loved ones

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Referrals for childcare, eldercare, & pet care. Access free legal guidance, mental health visits, work-life support, digital self-help tools and more.

• Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, identity theft protection, universal life and pet and legal insurance

Position Details

Supports the goals and objectives of organization in efforts to provide safe, quality patient care, patient satisfaction, Infection Prevention and Control and successful Joint Commission and DOH surveys. Assists with coordinating inpatient Infection Prevention and Control activities, in collaboration with the medical staff from all healthcare facilities within the system. Assists the processes and goals of the Infection Control Program under the supervision of the Infection Prevention and Control leadership and team members in collaboration with the System Medical Director for Infection Control.

• Coordinates and participates in the development and implementation of Infection Control Programs and activities in the assigned areas/departments.
• Identifies, recommends,   and implements changes to   improve infection prevention and control   practices and   provides   education   to   assure   the   effectiveness of   the   Infection Control Program .
• Coordinates rounds in all patient care areas. Recommends changes in patient care and recommends department   specific education about infection control practices based on information collected or observed on   rounds.
• Coordinates   implementation   and   education   about   the   Infection   Control   Plan   as   assigned.   Assists the   System   Administrative Director for   Infection Control with   implementation   of   hospital-wide   infection control activities   based   on   the   Infection Control Plan.
• Serves   as   resource   person   for   Infection Control   initiatives   at respective campus.
•   Identifies   and   records   hospital acquired   infections  (HAis)per   Act  52  requirements.
• Understands and communicates JC and other governing body requirements   which relate to   Infection Control   and   Geisinger's   fulfillment   of   these   requirements. Actively   participates   in   all   surveys
• Develops, reviews and   revises   infection   control   policies and   procedures after   consultation with leadership.
• Participates in surveillance   activities to identify unusual epidemic situations, to evaluate the   impact of new procedures   or   equipment and   to evaluate   how the infection prevention   and   control program   impacts   the delivery of patient care.
• Collaborates   with representatives   of community health agencies and   other institutions to assure coordinated   service   for   prevention   and   control   of   infection.   Assists Public   Health   authorities   in   the   investigation   of   reportable infections as required.
• Participates in continuing education programs to   expand   knowledge of   professional discipline. Participates in health-related   associations   to maintain expertise and promote interests   of the health system,
• Develops   and   maintains expertise related   to   the   CDC   National   Healthcare   Safety Network  (NHSN)  reporting   criteria and   requirements.
• Performs concurrent and   retrospective medical   record   review including review   of physician’s   progress notes   and   nurses’  notes, laboratory   culture   data,   radiology/imaging   reports,   surgery   reports, to   identify   potential   HAis.

Work is typically performed in a clinical environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.

Education

Bachelor's Degree- (Required)

About Geisinger

OUR PURPOSE & VALUES: Everything we do is about caring for our patients, our members, our students, our Geisinger family and our communities. KINDNESS: We strive to treat everyone as we would hope to be treated ourselves. EXCELLENCE: We treasure colleagues who humbly strive for excellence. LEARNING: We share our knowledge with the best and brightest to better prepare the caregivers for tomorrow. INNOVATION: We constantly seek new and better ways to care for our patients, our members, our community, and the nation. SAFETY: We provide a safe environment for our patients and members and the Geisinger family We offer healthcare benefits for full time and part time positions from day one, including vision, dental and domestic partners. Perhaps just as important, from senior management on down, we encourage an atmosphere of collaboration, cooperation and collegiality. We know that a diverse workforce with unique experiences and backgrounds makes our team stronger. Our patients, members and community come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and it takes a diverse workforce to make better health easier for all. We are proud to be an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.