IP/Wound Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY:

The role of the Infection Preventionist is to oversee the infection prevention and control program for the surveillance, investigation, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections and other infectious diseases.

The Wound Nurse is responsible for providing primary skin care to residents under the medical direction and supervisor of the residents' attending physician, the Director of Nursing, or the Medical Director of the facility, with an emphasis on treatment and therapy of skin disorders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: (May vary by facility)

• Infection Prevention & Control- tracking & trending of infections

• Line Listing reports

• Vaccination Tracking

• Antibiotic Stewardship program oversight

• Infection Control rounding & observations

• Performance Improvement

• Occupational Health

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Respiratory Protection Program oversight

• Emergency Preparedness- Pandemic

• Infection Control & Antibiotic Stewardship Education- Staff and Residents

• Mandatory Reporting & Communication (may include residents, families, staff, health departments, physicians, etc)

• Regulatory Compliance

• Quality Assurance Committee

• Confer with the Director of Nursing and/or other licensed nursing personnel regarding the dermatologic disorders of residents in the facility.

• Examine the resident and his/her records and charts, and discriminate between normal and abnormal findings, to recognize when to refer the resident to a physician for evaluation, supervision, or directions.

• Provide assessment and diagnostic services to residents. Perform an assessment evaluation using techniques including observation, inspection, and palpation.

• Initiate requests for consultation or referral. Respond to requests from the resident, physician, or nursing staff.

• Identify, manage, and treat specific skin disorders and primary and secondary lesions, such as skin abrasions, foot problems such as corns and callouses, decubitus ulcers, bacterial, parasitic, and viral skin infections, scaling popular diseases, and benign tumors.

• Assist in resident rehabilitation activities. Where required, perform range of motion, assist in ambulation, provide emotional support. Monitor the results of physical therapy activities.

• Provide preventative health care services. Make recommendations to the resident concerning nutrition, prevention of common skin disorders, etc.,

• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the attending physician, Medical Director, or the DON concerning the status and care of the residents.

• Implement and maintain established policies and procedures relative to skRN/LPNin care treatments. Interpret these to the physician, resident family members, and public as appropriate.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.

• LPN or RN with current unencumbered state licensure.

• The Infection Preventionist shall be qualified through education, training, experience, or certification or a combination of such qualification within 30 days of hire or placement into this role.

• Wound Certification from accredited institution preferred.

• Must have current CPR certification.

• Must have, as a minimum, two (2) years of experience as an LPN/RN

• This training should include the following:

  • Have completed at least 19 hours of training in infection prevention and control including, but not limited to, training in the following areas:

    • Principles of Standard Precautions

    • Principles of Transmission-Based Precautions

    • Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections

    • Hand Hygiene

    • Environmental Cleaning, Sterilization, Disinfection, and Asepsis

    • Environment of Care and Water Management

    • Employee/Occupational Health

    • Surveillance and Epidemiological Investigations

    • Antimicrobial Stewardship

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.

• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and general public.

• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities.

• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as at the willingness to handle difficult situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands 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.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the day.

• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

• Must function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.

• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.

• Must be able to push, pull, move and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.

• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.