RN or LPN Infection Control Nurse (IP)

Job Description

Job Description

RN or LPN Infection Control Nurse (IP)

SALARY: $95,000 to 105,000 Per Year

BENEFITS:

• Weekly Employee Appreciation Event- “Thankful Thursday”  

• Monthly Gift Giveaways!!  

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance  

• Life Insurance  

• Disability Insurance  

• 401K  

• Holiday Pay  

• Paid Time Off  

 

ABOUT US:  

At Brookhaven we are big believers in making work a positive experience and that is why we invest in and give back to our staff. From our weekly “Thankful Thursday” Program to our Monthly Gift Giveaways and various other programs we run there is always something exciting happening.  

 

Join Our team today and have an experience like never before!!

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Infection Preventionist (IP) serves as the facility’s primary coordinator for the Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP). The IP assists and supports the translation of the nursing philosophy of the facility into nursing practice by participating in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the nursing care delivery system. In addition, he/she provides residents and personnel with established guidelines to follow in the prevention, identification, and containment of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and communicable diseases.

RESPONSIBILITIES / ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Establishes and maintains a primary Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) based on current national standards and CDC/CMS guidelines;

• Assists with monitoring for a sanitary environment for facility personnel, residents, and visitors through regular environmental rounding;

• Ensures that all infection control policies and procedures, including Transmission-Based Precautions and Hand Hygiene protocols, are implemented and followed;

• Coordinates and conducts competency-based in-services on infection control practices for all staff upon hire and at least annually (or as needed);

• Assumes responsibility for the surveillance, tracking, and trending of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) on a systematic and current basis;

• Conducts regular audits of all departments (Nursing, Housekeeping, Dietary, Laundry) to ensure compliance with infection control practices;

• Performs epidemiological investigations of all significant clusters of infection or outbreaks and coordinates the facility’s response;

• Develops and recommends evidence-based changes to policies and procedures for the Infection Control Manual and the Antibiotic Stewardship Program;

• Conducts clinical rounds throughout the facility to assure compliance with State, Federal, and local health department guidelines; a report on findings will be submitted to the Director of Nursing, the Administrator, and the QAPI Committee;

• Manages the Employee Health Program, including overseeing new-hire screenings, annual PPD/TB testing, and the facility’s respiratory protection/fit-testing program;

• Maintains active involvement in the facility Quality Assessment and Assurance (QAA) and Quality Improvement (QAPI) process, reporting infection data and antibiotic use monthly;

• Ensures the facility adheres to legal, safety, health, and sanitation codes; maintains familiarity with the facility’s disaster plan and current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to minimize risk to residents and staff;

• Oversees the Antibiotic Stewardship Program to monitor appropriate antibiotic use and reduce the development of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs);

• Performs mandatory reporting to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and local public health authorities as required by law;

• Performs other duties as requested.

SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL / VOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The Infection Preventionist must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing with current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure by the State Board of Nursing.

• A minimum of three years full-time clinical experience is required; a minimum of two years of clinical experience in long-term care nursing with one year in a management/administrative or supervisory capacity is preferred.

• Requirement: Must have completed specialized training in infection prevention and control through an accredited program (e.g., CDC/CMS Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course).

• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or a commitment to obtain certification is highly preferred.

JOB SKILLS:

• Must have thorough knowledge of nursing theory, techniques, and evidence-based infection prevention practices.

• Must have thorough knowledge of the specialized procedures and equipment used in long-term care, including PPE, sterilization, and disinfection.

• Must have knowledge of sanitation, personal hygiene, and food safety standards.

• Must be skilled in data collection, analysis, and the use of surveillance tools (e.g., McGeer Criteria).

• Must have knowledge of the principles of Epidemiology, Antibiotic Stewardship, and Outbreak Management.

• Must possess the ability to positively interact with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and government agencies (DOH/CMS).

• Must provide annual verification of a negative TB skin test or chest X-ray.

PERFORMS RELATED DUTIES:

• Interacts with residents, families, visitors, and employees to provide education on infection risks and prevention.

• He/she carries out other tasks as requested in situations where hands-on clinical intervention or emergency participation may be required.