Infection Control Nurse

This position surveys the hospital for the presence of nosocomial infections, makes recommendations related to said analysis, and ensures hospital policies and procedures reflect a standard of practice best able to prevent and/or reduce the incidence of nosocomial infection. Bases decisions made/actions taken on relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Registered Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).
• Current Certification in Infection Control through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. or obtain within 2 years of hire date.
• Obtain certification in Basic Life Support within 30 days of hire date.
• Five (5) years of nursing experience with at least three (3) years of experience in infection control.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN).
• Five (5) years of experience in infection control.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and/or reviews daily the list of significant cultures using definitions for infection as set by Centers of Disease Control and any modifications identified within the Infection Control Manual.
• Visits designated hospital units on a frequency determined as appropriate for the acuity of the area.
• Reviews Medical Records if patient dies or is discharged before surveillance information is complete, or if patient returns to Hospital and has a significant culture result to include discharge infections in monthly report.
• Obtains denominator information necessary to calculate rates.
• Assists with investigating any trends from nosocomial infections and/or SSIs.
• Advises health care colleagues about hospital isolation policy and disposition of infected/colonized patients and adequate, courteous handling of patients.
• Reviews microbiology reports and notifies patient care nursing units of need for isolation of patients colonized or infected with certain organisms as determined by isolation policies.
• Checks patients in isolation to determine if isolation is appropriate and institutes necessary isolation measures for new cases, as recommended by isolation policies.
• Ensures both nursing and medical staff are apprised of the need to start or stop isolation measures as recommended in isolation policies.
• Investigates clusters of all significant infections occurring above the expected level, helps formulate actions and policies that will lead to containment of immediate problem and prevention of future re-occurrences.
• Provides data related to significant infections.
• Arranges with microbiology laboratory for investigatory environmental cultures and collects necessary environmental cultures.
• Assists in development and implementation of approved infection control measures to maintain a high level of asepsis in the hospital.
• Monitors compliance of practice with established standards of infection control practice.
• Advises unit manager/directors of acceptable standards for asepsis/disinfection and assists with plans to accomplish those goals on both a regular and yearly basis and as problems arise.
• Conducts inservice training programs related to infection prevention and control to raise level of employee understanding and compliance.
• Advises and assists with presenting infection control inservices to various departments upon request.
• Investigates the exposure of patients to tuberculosis, chicken pox (varicella), or other infectious diseases from visitor, patient, or employee.
• Contacts other agencies as necessary, e.g., nursing homes, day care centers, ambulance services.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy/Hard work: Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, standing, walking, and carrying of materials and equipment weighing 35+ lbs.
• All transfers, lifts, and re-positioning will be completed utilizing lift equipment and/or other patient handling aids as indicated by the patient’s profile and appropriate algorithms.

Working Environment

• Working closely with others.
• Working protracted or irregular hours.
• Working around biohazards.
• Working around infectious diseases.
• Working with or near the deceased.
• Working with hands in water.
• Working with electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment.

Skills

• Working knowledge of infection control procedures and safety precautions.
• Working knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in administering routine and special treatments to patients.
• Knowledge of and appropriate application of the nursing process.
• Knowledge of professional theory, practice, and procedure.
• Ability to communicate clearly with patients, families, physicians, and other employees.

Schedule

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40