Infection Control

Position Summary

An Infection Control Nurse provides assistance and guidance to the nursing units and nursing employees regarding infection prevention and infection control practices within CDC recommendations and State and Federal regulations.    

 General Purpose

To monitor and manage the infection control practices within the facility.  Provide guidance to the nursing units on the importance of prevention of infection.  In addition, oversee and guide the facility so that facility Infection Control Management remains within the guidelines of State and Federal Regulations. 

 Position Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the DON and following the direction of the Infection Control Committee, this position is responsible for providing surveillance throughout the facility in order to identify, investigate and record data concerning Healthcare Acquired Infections. Individual is directly responsible for initiating infection control measures as required and directed.  Individual is responsible for knowing the State and Federal regulations and ensuring that the facility remains in compliance.  Responsible for teaching and managing personnel as it relates to infection control.  Responsible for overseeing resident rooms as it relates to infection control, working interdepartmentally to meet this goal.  Individual is responsible for working with HR on employee health care issues, policies and procedures.

 Specific responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Schedule and act as the Chairperson of the Infection Control Committee, meeting regularly.
• Conduct daily rounds on the nursing units to monitor compliance with infection control policy and procedure.
• Identify infection control problems and recommend corrective action.
• Collect and report on data as related to infections, such as UTI, URI, eye infections, skin infections etc. on a monthly basis.
• Investigate and monitor HAI.
• Coordinate the infection prevention program to maintain compliance within CDC recommendations and state and federal regulations.
• Work in conjunction with the QA Nurse on joint projects, some of which may not be infection control related.
• Work in conjunction with other disciplines to effectively manage employee health care issues.
• Provide assistance and guidance to the nursing units and employees on the importance of adhering to Standard Precautions.
• Serve as a resource to all departments and personnel.
• Create interdisciplinary communications to facilitate improved resident care and safety.
• Communicate with physicians as needed to improve care of residents.
• Monitor infection control practices and employee compliance, providing education to staff as needed.
• Initiate follow-up on employee/resident exposures to communicable diseases.
• Round on the nursing units to act as an additional  resource person as needed; such as assisting with IV’s, drawing blood, assisting with medical charts and orders, evaluating emergency situations.
• Attend meetings as directed by the DON.
• Prepare routine reports for the DON and/or Administrator.
• Report communicable diseases to the state as required by law.
• Assist with counseling of nursing staff as requested.
• Coordinate the Pandemic Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.
• Initiate and maintain infection control policies and procedures.
• Complete documentation either on infection control issues or assisting with required unit documentation.
• Remain familiar with CDC, State and Federal Regulations, to be a resource to the staff.
• Other duties as assigned by DON/designee      
• Review medication errors of the nursing department and pharmacy; oversee the disciplinary system related to medications errors
• Liaison with various contracted groups as directed by DON, such as pharmacy, therapy or laboratory services. 
• Maintain satisfactory attendance, which means six points or less in the attendance and late/leave early tracking systems.
• Have ability to manage stress tolerance, pressure and anxiety
• Performs additional functions or duties, as assigned by the supervisor.

Essential Knowledge

Education/Certifications/Experience

• EDUCATION:  Associate’s Degree is necessary.  Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• CERTIFICATION:  Current RN license is required.  Employee must be in good standing with the state.  Possession of a current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers CPR certificate is required.

 EXPERIENCE:  Sufficient education in order to perform daily tasks with an understanding of the duties involved.  Working knowledge of current nursing practice; 3 – 5 years of nursing experience; 2 or more years’ experience in Infection Control.  Minimum of 1 year supervisory experience as the manager of a nursing unit, or a shift; familiarity with CDC guidelines and State and Federal Regulations as they relate to infection control and long term care; ability to educate staff effectively.  Certification in infection control is preferred. 

 Knowledge

• MEDICINE:  Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat residents.  Includes knowledge of medical symptoms and treatment alternatives, preventative health care measures, and drug properties and interactions.
• PSYCHOLOGY: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and effective disorders.
• CUSTOMER AND PERSONAL SERVICE:  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing excellent customer and personal services.  This includes, but is not limited to, meeting the quality standards for sound nursing techniques and surgical practices, knowledge of medical treatments, health care sanitation and hygiene, and providing resident satisfaction.
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE:  Must have the ability to read, write, and follow oral and written directions at a level necessary to accomplish the job.
• THERAPY AND COUNSELING:  Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

• MATHEMATICS:  Ability to perform basic mathematics for medication disbursement.
• CHEMISTRY:  Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo.
• EDUCATION AND TRAINING:  Completion of a state-approved RN training program.
• ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT:  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• SAFETY AND SECURITY:  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of staff and residents, data, and the Facility as a whole.

Position Hours and Travel

• The Facility is required to employ Wound Care Nurse RNs 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  Shifts may vary based on the needs of the Facility. 
• Overtime hours, with little or no notice, may be required, if deemed necessary by the reporting supervisor.
• Rotating on call weekend
• Although unlikely, local and out-of-town travel may be required for training purposes.  Average travel expectation is less than 1%.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Ability

Education/Certifications/Experience

• DEGREE:  Associate’s degree from an accredited school of nursing is necessary.  Completion of Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• CERTIFICATION:  Current RN license is required.  Employee must be in good standing with the state.  Possession of a current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers CPR certificate is preferred.  "Train The Trainer" certificate and thirty (30) hours of continuing education required every two years.
• EXPERIENCE:  Sufficient experience in order to perform daily tasks with an understanding of the duties involved.  A minimum of one year long-term care experience is required.