Infection Control Nurse

About the role

This position may require temporary relocation to other TONHC facilities: Sells Hospital, Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center. The role provides comprehensive management of the Tohono O'odham Nation Hospital Health Care (TONHC) Infection Control Program and manages the employee health program as needed. Located at TONHC Sells Hospital, the goal is to identify and reduce risks of acquiring and transmitting infections through surveillance, prevention, and control. The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Director of Quality Management and assists with coordinating the employee health program.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages Infection Control programs for assigned service lines, including collecting data, recordkeeping of hospital-associated and community-acquired infections, interpretation, analysis, reporting, development of interventions and recommendations, and follow-up on performance.
• Investigates and analyzes clusters of infections or changes in infection patterns with appropriate interventions.
• Interprets and applies state, county, and federal requirements and other guidelines related to Infection Control and Environment of Care; assists with or develops programs to implement guidelines; informs authorities of reportable diseases.
• Participates in the development and implementation of infection control procedures.
• Coordinates and carries out surveillance, prevention, and control of infection activities.
• Communicates and works with external organization support systems (local, state, tribal, federal agencies) to reduce infection risk from the environment.
• Chairs or co-chairs the Infection Control Committee, prepares agendas, coordinates meetings, minutes, and departmental reports.
• Serves as a safety committee member and liaison between the safety committee and other unit departments and programs on infection control matters.
• Initiates and completes follow-up action on clinical and patient-related incident and accident reports related to Infection Control.
• Notes and corrects potential patient and staff safety and infection control hazards; prepares reports for corrective action.
• Initiates follow-through with surveillance and recordkeeping of patients with nosocomial infections with TONHC departments and community agencies.
• Maintains a resource library of standards, legislation, texts, and journals related to infection control and risk management.
• Prepares and presents in-service education and orientation relating to infection control risk management for all Service Unit employees.
• Maintains records of nosocomial infections and presents a summary report for the Executive Committee, including number and type of nosocomial infections.
• Prepares and coordinates activities/assignments related to submission of bi-annual Governing Body Infection Control report.
• Provides consultation and advice on patient placement, policy and procedure revision, isolation, decontamination, and disease prevention measures.
• Orders supplies and equipment as needed for infection control.
• Assists individual patients to maintain safe and infection-free environments at home.
• Reports information about infections both internally and to public health agencies.
• Serves as the TONHC contact person for all employees for on-the-job occupational disease or illness related to Infection Control/Safety.
• Assists employees, supervisors, and others to file reports and specific forms for reporting.
• Coordinates different aspects of the TONHC's risk management program.
• Provides direct professional nursing care for patients as required.
• May be required to act on behalf of the Director of Quality Management as delegated.
• Assists with management and coordination of all aspects of the TONHC's employee health program; develops policies, goals, and objectives as needed or in the absence of an Employee Health Nurse.
• Assists with organizing employee health screening programs; administers medications and treatments authorized by physicians as needed.
• Provides treatment for minor health problems, counsels, and provides health education for employees; coordinates an employee wellness program.
• Counsels employees on varied health subjects including nutrition, dental and safety regimen, care of minor injuries and illness, family and health problems, home care of communicable diseases, infant and prenatal care.
• Advises employees to obtain medical care and refer to private physicians, dentists, clinics, or community resources.
• Maintains professional knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences; conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Contributes to a team effort.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Degree from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State-accrediting agency at the time of completion.
• Active, current, and unrestricted license as a professional nurse in a State of the United States.
• Three (3) years of experience in health care.
• One year in infection control or epidemiology in an acute care setting.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Certification by the National Board of Infection Control (CIC); must obtain certification within two years of hire.
• Current certification in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Membership in Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background check and National FBI fingerprint check are required to determine suitability for employment, including a 39-month driving record.
• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years). If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.
• Based on department needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham language and English as a condition of employment.

Skills

• Knowledge of Tohono O'odham traditions, language, history, geography, and culture.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, tribal laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of health-related issues, medical terminology, and health and child care education.
• Knowledge of comprehensive health programs and the full range of professional public health nursing principles, practices, and procedures to formulate plans and provide services in clinics, homes, schools, and community environments.
• Professional knowledge of a wide range of nursing concepts, principles, and practices related to neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and elderly patients.
• Ability to comprehend and apply principles of statistical theory.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Knowledge of current research methods, including statistical compilation and interpretation, to participate in epidemiological surveys, field investigations, and research.
• Knowledge and ability to teach and communicate effectively with various TONHC departments to set standards and implement change.
• Knowledge of microbiology to interpret laboratory data for patient and environmental studies and evaluate the disease process and treatment required.
• Knowledge of risk management and safety principles related to health care institutions and regulations enforced by TJC, CMS, OSHA, HCFA, APIC, and other specific hospital departmental rules and regulations that protect patients and staff.
• Knowledge and ability to evaluate and counsel employees on health problems and prevention.
• Ability to manage an employee health and wellness function.
• Knowledge of community resources and programs available.
• Ability to work with groups to teach and assist in initiation of standards.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to inquiries or complaints from employees, patients and their representatives, and the general public.
• Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to recognize desired effects, side effects, and complications of their use.
• Knowledge of health records and ability to accurately and completely document related clinical data.
• Ability to operate medical equipment: blood pressure machine, Accu-check and glucose machines, sphygmomanometer, and other related equipment.
• Ability to maintain privileged, confidential information.
• Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules.
• Ability to work independently and meet strict timelines.
• Ability to operate company vehicles.