Infection Control Nurse RN

Infection Prevention Registered Nurse

In collaboration with quality, risk, safety, education, providers and administration, the Infection Prevention Registered Nurse will be responsible for developing and implementing infection prevention program across MyMichigan Health to protect patients, employees, visitors and the community and to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the infection prevention program for MyMichigan Health. Chair the Infection Prevention Committee(s) for MyMichigan Health. In conjunction with Infection Prevention Committee(s), completes ongoing evaluation of established goals and priorities, required risk assessments and development of goals and strategies.
• Coordinates surveillance of healthcare associated infections through medical record reviews, culture reviews and internal and external reports. Analyze surveillance information and each hospital acquired infection to provide interpretation and recommendations to appropriate committees, organization leadership, providers, managers, front line staff and external agencies.
• Maintain knowledge of infection prevention alerts and best practice recommendations at national, state and regional level to ensure MyMichigan Health is prepared and following best practice (CDC, Michigan Health Department, APIC, Joint Commission, MIOSHA, etc.)
• Maintain knowledge of infection prevention standard requirements to ensure state, federal and accrediting agency standards are met. Develop and maintain system infection prevention programs, policies, procedures and plans to meet requirements. Participate during external surveys.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain knowledge and competence through journal reviews, state and national forums, conference attendance and network group participation.
• Provide subject matter expertise related to infection prevention.
• Utilizing specialized infection prevention knowledge base, delegate infection prevention strategies to quality nurse specialists, managers, committees and front line staff.
• Coordinate MyMichigan Health's Pandemic and Specialized Pathogen Preparedness component of the Emergency Management/Disaster Preparedness Plan.
• Collaborate and partner with system employee health, safety and risk to develop and maintain programs associated with infection prevention (influenza, sharps, etc.)
• Develop and or provide infection prevention educations for providers, front line staff, management, administration, patients and families and the community.
• Complete infection risk assessment and mitigation recommendations during planning, design and renovation.
• Participate in review of supplies and equipment for infection risk and cost containment.
• Represents infection prevention at meetings within health system.
• Represents the health system at community and network groups.
• All other duties as assigned.

Certifications and Licensures

• CIC: Certified Infection Control required within 3 years of hire or transfer.
• RN: Registered Nurse
• BLS: Basic Life Support

Required Education

Associate's degree is required

Other Information

Two (2) years well-rounded clinical experience and the ability to understand the physiological relationship of a disease process to infection prevention measures.

Interpersonal skills needed to communicate successfully with individuals and groups, and to interact with employees at all levels within the medical center to communicate ideas and concepts in a clear and understandable manner.

Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.

MyMichigan Health is a technology driven organization and employees need to demonstrate competency in Microsoft Windows.

An employee may be required to participate in further learning opportunities offered by MyMichigan Health.

Courses in statistics, Basic Infection Control class, and Certification in Infection Control (CIC) are preferred.

The ability to interpret science based on evidence is preferred.

Physical/Mental Requirements and Typical Working Conditions:

Exposure to stressful situations, including those involving public contact, as well as, trauma, grief and death.

Able to wear personal protective equipment that includes latex materials or appropriate substitute if required for your position.

Is able to move freely about facility with or without an assisted device and must be able to perform the functions of the job as outlined in the job description.

Overall vision and hearing is necessary with or without assisted device(s).

Frequently required to sit/stand/walk for long periods of time. May require frequent postural changes such as stooping, kneeling or crouching.

Some exposure to blood borne pathogens and other potentially infectious material. Must follow MyMichigan Health bloodborne pathogen and TB testing as required.

Ability to handle multiple tasks, get along with others, work independently, regular and predictable attendance and ability to stay awake.

Overall dexterity is required including handling, reaching, grasping, fingering and feeling. May require repetition of these movements on a regular to frequent basis.

Physical Demand Level: Light. Must be able to occasionally (0-33% of the workday) lift or carry 11-20 lbs., frequently (34-66% of the workday) 10 lbs. and or Walk/Stand/Push/Pull of Arm/Leg controls.