Infection Control Nurse

This position is responsible for the daily management of the infection prevention, control and employee health program, provides specialized clerical, data abstraction, and entry support for the quality, case management, and clinical education functions of the hospital.

Essential Functions:

Responsible for the development and implementation of policies governing control of infection and communicable diseases and the development of a program for identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases. This position has the authority and responsibility to obtain consults as needed in order to make knowledgeable decisions. In addition, oversees the hospitals infection control, program to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies and the Infection Control Plan. Including but not limited to:

• Developing and implementing policies governing control of infections and communicable diseases
• Developing a system of identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infectious and communicable diseases
• Collaboration with staff and others in the design and implementation of the program
• Regularly assessing the program using an epidemiological approach that consists of surveillance, data collection, analysis and trend identification
• Coordination of the program with the larger community
• Education and training of staff on the program and related policy and procedures
• Coordination and communication with Medical Executive Committee, Leadership, staff, and the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee, Staff, and others on the program, data, and priorities and goals
• Coordinating the processes for investigating Outbreaks and Exposures
• Collaborating with the Human Resource department and leadership for the immunization, screening, and post exposure for employees and others as indicated
• Collaborating with the Human Resource department and leadership in the development and maintenance of the processes for identifying employees with infectious diseases and coordinating any work restrictions, referrals, and/or care as indicated.
• Annual review and revision of the Infection Control Plan
• Coordinating the hand hygiene program and improvement activities
• Hand hygiene program
• Infection Control Committee coordination and records
• Serves as the resource person during epidemiological events, employee exposures, and employee health
• Completing audits to ensure compliance with best practice (including but not limited to VAP prevention, CLABSI/CAUTI prevention, transmission-based precautions and Sepsis core measures)

Core Measures Abstraction:

Maintains a concurrent and ongoing review process for the review of medical records for the core measure and coordinates efforts for improvement including but not limited to:

• Providing care givers with education on inadequate documentation and facilitates resolution prior to chart being closed
• Coordinates with nursing and medical staff leadership on improvement opportunities
• Works with Quality to coordinate the chart review process to ensure 100% of the charts are abstracted and data entered to meet the deadlines of Joint Commission, CMS and other regulatory agencies and organizations
• Completes Sepsis Chart Abstraction and provides feedback to clinical team to contribute to process improvement.
• Provides guidance on CMS Sepsis compliance to staff
• Participates in chart abstraction validation reviews and ensures improvements are incorporated
• Achieves validation scores >75%
• Maintains current knowledge in core measures and abstraction guidelines to ensure program compliance
• Provides performance data to nursing and medical staff
• Participates in the preparation and presentation of core measure reports
• Provides training and education as needed to other staff on abstraction standards and procedures.
• Manages room assignments for patients admitted to hospital.
• Reviews admission documentation including review of admission orders for designation of admission type, at the time the bed assignment is made.
• Assists in the transfer of patients to other medical facilities.
• Reviews and coordinates shift assignments for nursing staff. Makes recommendations to unit Nursing Manager and/or Director of Nursing regarding assessed staffing needs for shift to allocate nursing personnel accordingly.
• Active participation and response to all emergency codes throughout the hospital.
• Supervises hospital employees when other management is not present; reports to administration as needed.
• Provides leadership and assists in mentoring newly hired staff.
• Supervises staff to ensure quality care is provided to meet patient care needs in accordance with hospital policies and procedures and state and federal regulations.
• Collects various data on the nursing units.
• Investigates incidents regarding staff and patients and identifies contributing factors. Participates in implementation of corrective action plans.
• Communicates with nurse managers and Director of Nursing consistently regarding issues or problems identified during the supervised shift and makes recommendations for resolution.
• Ensures patient safety and care in accordance with hospital standards and applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Collaborates on performance appraisals of employees who work on Nursing Supervisor’s unit(s).
• Supervises and disciplines nursing staff as needed when performance is not in accordance with hospital’s standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensures staff reporting of variances and provides initial follow up on any reported patient safety incidents in keeping with culture of patient safety.
• Makes regular rounds of all patient care units to ensure safety of patient care and compliance with standards.
• Participates in the performance improvement processes within the hospital quality improvement program as assigned and by attending quality or team meetings as needed.
• Assists and participates in activities related to the inspection of the hospital by regulatory or accrediting agencies as needed.

Support Role:

• Provides assistants to the case managers, clinical leaders, and others as assigned
• Assisting in social service referrals, case review, data entry, or special projects
• Provides orientation/training programs, in-service, education and other education programs and materials needs
• Serves as a resource for clinical and medical staff and assists in the development of orientation and education programs for clinical personnel.

• Takes full responsibility for all functions within job description and prioritizes to meet deadlines on daily work and special projects.
• Ensures patient, medical record, employee, and department confidentially is maintained at all times.
• Follows hospital and department policies and procedures at all times.
• Emergency duty may be required of the incumbent including, but not limited to, responses to threats or disasters, man-made or natural.

Education:

• Nursing degree from an accredited nursing school required.

Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years hospital nursing experience required. Experience in infection control and/or quality management preferred.

Certification:

• Quality Improvement Certification preferred. Infection Control Certification preferred.

Licensure:

• Licensed in the State of Florida as a Registered Nurse required.  

Health Care District of Palm Beach County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate based onrace, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.