Infection Preventionist

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position. Administrative Functions 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. Committee Functions 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. Personnel Functions 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. Nursing Care and Consultation Functions 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. Staff Development 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. Equipment and Safety Functions 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. Care Plan Functions 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. Budget and Planning Functions 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. Safety and Sanitation 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. Miscellaneous 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. Supervisory Requirements As Infection Control Nurse you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties. Your immediate supervisor is the Director of Nursing Services. Qualification Education and/or Experience 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. Language Skills 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. Mathematical Skills Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations. Reasoning Ability Ability to solve practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Registered Nurse in this state. Current CPR certification. APIC Certification in infection control preferred, but not necessary. Knowledge and experience with PCC preferred. Must maintain all required continuing education for licensing. Must remain in good standing with the State Board of Nursing at all times. Physical Demands The essential functions of this position require the following physical abilities: Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday. Must be able to cope with the mental, emotional, and physical 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 meet the general health requirements set forth 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. Must be willing to perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident's blood/body fluids. May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations. Work 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. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Additional Information Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.