RN Infection Preventionist

PURPOSE STATEMENT: Coordinate and lead the facility's infection prevention and control program. Responsible for determining, preventing and containing infectious outbreaks within the facility. Perform duties with a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Conduct ongoing surveillance of infections. * Gather and interpret data and keep accurate records of all infections. * Compile and present Infection Reports to the Safety/Infection Control Committee and the Performance Improvement Council at assigned intervals. * Inspect environment and observe personnel activities for the purpose of detecting infection hazards. * Monitor and evaluate compliance with standards set by facility policy and industry. * Monitor and update all facility department supervisors on all area-specific policies and procedures important to infection prevention principles. Investigate all 'exposure incidents,' oversee post-exposure evaluation and follow-up process in order to recommend appropriate actions to be taken. * Notify designated medical, administrative staff and appropriate health department authorities all reportable communicable disease. * Develop and provide in-service and orientation programs concerning prevention and control of infection, standard precautions, isolation techniques and education on current infectious disease. * Responsibilities may also include gathering, analyzing and presenting data, facts and trends on infection prevention to facility or corporate leadership. * Train staff on infection prevention and control protocols. * Assess and re-enforce infection prevention practices. * Communicate therapeutically and professionally with patients, visitors, coworkers and others in an effective manner. * EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: * Graduation from an accredited school of nursing, medical technology, microbiology, or epidemiology required. Bachelor's degree preferred. * One or more years' experience in infection control preferred. * Working knowledge of agents which cause disease, reservoir, knowledge of spectrum of disease, disease carriers, modes of transportation, host factors that enhance susceptibility, colonization of infection and approach to control infection required. * Knowledge of the basic principles of epidemiology and the infectious disease process required. LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS: * Current professional license as required by state for nurses in the role. * Certification by the Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology preferred. * CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility). * First aid may be required based on state or facility.