Infection Control Nurse

**Poway Healthcare Center **is looking for a compassionate, competent and committed **Infection Control Nurse** to join our team

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 th