INFECTION PREVENTION RN - Infection Control - Full Time - Days

Infection Prevention Registered Nurse - Full Time

Shift: 7:00am - 3:30pm

Job Description:

Patient Population: The patient population served can be all patients, including geriatric, adult, adolescent, pediatric, and newborn. This also includes services which affect facility staff, physicians, visitors, vendors and the general public.

Position Summary: The Infection Prevention Registered Nurse R.N. reports directly to the Manager of Infection Prevention who in turn reports to the Vice President, Quality of Regulatory Affairs or designee. The primary duties of this position are to educate, conduct surveillance and participate in the organization-wide Infection Prevention Program and its activities. Assumes eight (8) hour, five (5) day responsibility and accountability for assuring the department achieves the mission and clinical expectations for the assessment, treatment, and care of patients and is competent to deliver care appropriate to the ages of patients served. In the absence of the Infection Prevention Manager, will assume 24 hour, 7 day week coverage. Agrees to participate, as directed, in emergencies and community disasters during scheduled and unscheduled hours. As a designated disaster service worker you are required to assist in times of need pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act. (Gov't. Code 3100, 3102) Needs to recognize that they have an affirmative duty and responsibility for reporting perceived misconduct, including actual or potential violations of laws, regulations, policies, procedures, or this organization's standards/code of conduct.

The employee shall work well under pressure, meet multiple and sometimes competing deadlines; and the incumbent shall at all times demonstrate cooperative behavior with colleagues and supervisors.

Education/Training/Experience: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) required or must be actively enrolled in a BSN program and obtain their degree within two (2) years of hire. Minimum of two (2) years of Acute Care experience in an Acute Care hospital setting and preferably two (2) years in Infection Prevention. Familiarity with organization and functions of all departments; familiar with policies and procedures, and regulations relating to Infection Prevention. Must have working knowledge of Microbiology, Epidemiology, infectious diseases, aseptic techniques and current practices.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence if required.

Ability to calculate figures, ratios, proportions, and percentages if required. Knowledge of statistical calculations.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have knowledge of basic computer software.

Licensure/Certifications: Must have and maintain license as a Registered Nurse in the state of California. Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) required or must be actively enrolled in a BSN program and obtain their degree within two (2) years of hire. Must have and maintain current BLS certification or obtain within orientation process, prior to hands-on patient care.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Collaborates with the Infection Prevention Employee Health Manager to plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate and coordinate the Infection Prevention program in accordance with current CDC guidelines and definitions, TJC standards, and Federal and DOH state regulations.
• Ensures program compliance with regulatory guidelines and recommendations, including provision of supervision for the Employee Health Services LVN staff members.
• Provides education to staff, community, licensed independent practitioners, students, and volunteers in infection prevention precautions and aseptic techniques that successfully correct problem areas.
• Conducts surveillance activities hospital-wide, both inpatient and outpatient areas, to detect and record all hospital-acquired infections that occur on every service and in every area of the hospital, and implements appropriate intervention strategies under the direction of the Infection Prevention Manager.
• Confers with staff nurses on all patient units on a regular basis to determine occurrence of healthcare associated infections.
• Reviews and analyzes cultures and sensitivities reported by the microbiology of patients and personnel to determine if hospital-acquired.
• Confers with Infection Prevention/Employee Health Manager, nursing and medical staff to determine appropriate implementation of isolation precautions.
• Investigaes infections, especially those occurring above established thresholds and/or in clusters by patient units.
• Initiates cultures and sensitivity and/or appropriate isolation precautions when indicated under the direction of the Infection Prevention Manager and the hospital's policies and procedures.
• Provides the Manager of Infection Prevention with a report of pertinent findings and recommendations pertaining to hospital-acquired infection.
• Maintains a written record of all patients placed in isolation or on infection prevention precautions, as well as those residents and employees who have hospital-acquired infections.
• Submits required reports, in conjunction with analyst, to appropriate authorities and regulatory compliance agencies.
• Acts as a liaison with the Public Health Department and other local, state and federal agencies under the direction of the Infection Prevention Manager.
• Actively participates in achieving and maintaining department compliance with all state, federal and third party regulatory agency standards. Is accountable for maintaining the department at "survey ready" status at all times.
• Provides information to the Infection Prevention Manager to demonstrate continuous improvement in measures specific to your department that benchmark the organization's performance against national standards and results in maximum reimbursement to the organization.
• Under the direction of the Infection Prevention Manager, documents compliance with established hospital policies and procedures.
• Promotes vaccinations of staff and patients as necessary. Administers and reads PPD tests as requested. Gives influenza vaccinations to staff and LIP. Assists Employee Health, as needed, in immunization projects and other related infection prevention activities.
• Under the direction of the Infection Prevention Manager, prepares reports for committees, Senior Administration, and/or Board of Directors.
• Documentation reflects compliance with established hospital policies and procedures.
• Makes rounds with physicians, as necessary.
• Provides education to families related to communicable diseases, prevention of disease and prevention of transmission.
• Works in conjunction with Employee Health, and other departments, as needed, to coordinate/implement the Safe Patient Handling & Mobility Program.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.