Infection Control Nurse

Infection Prevention Nurse

The Infection Prevention Nurse is a hybrid clinical and infection prevention role responsible for coordinating, implementing, and monitoring the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program across Emergency Services, Acute Care, Swing Bed, Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), and clinic settings. This role provides direct bedside nursing support while ensuring compliance with CMS, CDPH, and organizational infection prevention standards in a rural Critical Access Hospital environment.

The Infection Prevention Nurse integrates infection prevention standards into daily clinical operations through frontline clinical support, surveillance activities, staff education, outbreak management, and regulatory oversight.

All employees are expected to perform their duties in alignment with CIH's mission, values, and vision. This position is responsible for supporting safe patient care, infection prevention compliance, regulatory readiness, and operational excellence while treating all individuals with respect and dignity.

Essential Functions

1. Provides direct patient care and bedside nursing support as assigned across Emergency Services, Acute Care, Swing Bed, SNF, and clinic settings.
2. Serves as a clinical resource and role model for infection prevention practices including hand hygiene, PPE use, isolation precautions, and environmental safety.
3. Reinforces infection prevention standards during admissions, procedures, patient care activities, and transitions of care.
4. Assists with staffing support during surges, outbreaks, staffing shortages, or operational emergencies while maintaining infection prevention oversight.
5. Collaborates with nursing leadership and frontline staff to support safe clinical workflows and patient outcomes.
6. Coordinates and supports the facility-wide Infection Prevention and Control Program in compliance with:

• CMS Conditions of Participation for Critical Access Hospitals
• CMS Requirements of Participation for Skilled Nursing Facilities
• CDPH regulations and guidance

• Conducts ongoing surveillance for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) across acute care, SNF, and clinic settings.
• Tracks, trends, analyzes, and reports infection prevention data and identifies opportunities for intervention.
• Participates in outbreak identification, investigation, containment, and reporting activities.
• Monitors infection prevention practices including device care, isolation procedures, cleaning and disinfection standards, and employee compliance.
• Ensures timely and accurate infection-related reporting including:

• CDPH reportable diseases and outbreaks
• NHSN reporting as applicable
• Internal leadership and governing body reporting

• Maintains infection prevention logs, policies, procedures, audit tools, and documentation in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Maintains readiness for CDPH, CMS, and other regulatory surveys and inspections.
• Participates in tracers, audits, corrective action planning, and follow-up activities related to infection prevention compliance.
• Provides education, coaching, and competency support to staff, providers, and ancillary personnel regarding:

• Standard and transmission-based precautions
• PPE selection and use
• Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices
• Infection prevention policies and regulatory expectations

• Supports onboarding and annual competency activities related to infection prevention practices.
• Promotes a culture of accountability, patient safety, and infection prevention awareness throughout the organization.
• Collaborates with Quality, Nursing, and Leadership teams on infection prevention and patient safety initiatives.
• Participates in root cause analyses (RCA), infection-related event reviews, and corrective action follow-up.
• Supports integration of infection prevention metrics into QAPI activities and organizational dashboards.

Performance Requirements

1. Knowledge of acute care nursing practices, CAH regulations, and mixed-acuity patient management.
2. Knowledge of telemetry monitoring, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and EKG procedures.
3. Knowledge of medication administration, IV therapy, and clinical equipment common to acute care.
4. Strong clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills, especially in an environment with limited on-island specialty support.
5. Skilled in prioritizing care for varied patient conditions.
6. Effective communication with providers, staff, and families.
7. Competency in emergency response and stabilization.
8. Ability to operate independently and collaboratively in a rural CAH setting with limited immediate resources.
9. Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced or emergent situation.
10. Ability to maintain accurate documentation that meets CAH and acute care regulatory standards.
11. Ability to lead and supervise LVNs, CNAs, and support staff as needed.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a Critical Access Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility, and Rural Health Clinic setting. Frequent interaction with patients, physicians, staff, visitors, and regulatory representatives is required. Employees may be exposed to communicable diseases, bloodborne pathogens, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to healthcare environments. Adherence to infection prevention and safety policies is mandatory.

This position requires regular presence in patient care areas and may involve schedule adjustments based on outbreaks, survey activity, surveillance needs, or staffing demands.

Organizational Requirements

1. Comply with organizational and departmental policies and procedures.
2. Participates in performance improvement, quality assurance, and patient safety activities in accordance with CIH policies.
3. Adhere to all HIPAA regulations as outlined in the HIPAA Policy and Procedure Manual.
4. Contribute to team efforts by accomplishing related tasks as needed.
5. Demonstrate excellent customer service skills for interdepartmental and intradepartmental interactions.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by physicians and supervisors.
7. Complete additional administrative tasks and projects as needed.

Attitude and Professionalism

1. Maintain a positive and caring atmosphere for patients, families, and colleagues.
2. Uphold CIH's mission and vision in all job responsibilities.
3. Foster a cooperative and effective work environment through teamwork and collaboration.
4. Exhibit professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to organizational values.
5. Promote a positive public image of CIH.
6. Demonstrate a strong work ethic, flexibility, and accountability.

Physical and Mental Demands

1. Work closely with patients of all age groups, considering age-specific needs.
2. Engage in varied physical activities including standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting.
3. Maintain manual dexterity for operating computers, telephones, office, and medical equipment as necessary.
4. Possess corrected vision and hearing within normal range.
5. Work efficiently in a fast-paced and occasionally stressful environment.
6. Handle frequent interruptions and manage potentially emotional situations involving accidents, injuries, or deaths.
7. Respond effectively to emergency and crisis situations following established policies.
8. Mitigate risks associated with exposure to bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, and hazardous chemicals.

Education

1. Graduate from a school of professional registered nursing.
2. BSN preferred.

Experience

1. Minimum of two years of clinical nursing experience in acute care, emergency services, long-term care, or skilled nursing.
2. Infection prevention experience preferred.
3. Experience in a Critical Access Hospital and/or SNF setting preferred.

Licenses & Certifications

1. Active California Registered Nurse (RN) license or ability to obtain.
2. BLS certification required.
3. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred or willingness to obtain.
4. ACLS preferred.