Infection Control Nurse ICN - RN

About the role

Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates the Infection Control Program. Responsible for overall management and coordination of the program. Provides surveillance to identify, investigate and record data concerning infections and initiates infection control measures as directed by the Infection Control Committee. Utilizes the nursing process to meet a variety of health care needs with ambulatory care as primary focus. Works with a variety of health care professionals and security officers in a correctional environment. Functions guided by nursing protocols.

Organizational Expectations

• Provides a positive and professional representation of CFG Health Systems, LLC.
• Keeps patient information confidential and respects patient’s right to privacy.
• Promotes culture of safety for patients and employees through proper identification, reporting, documentation, and prevention.
• Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments in Infection Control and Prevention.
• Adheres to infection control policies and protocols, medication administration and storage procedures, and controlled substance regulations.
• Participates in ongoing quality improvement activities.
• Completes required orientation and trainings directed by facility.
• Follows facility and OSHA safety rules and procedures while on assignment.
• Follows facility and CFG Health Systems Occurrence Protocol.
• Adheres to PREA and HIPAA regulations.
• Punctual and dependable for assigned/confirmed shifts.
• Maintains security clearance for the assigned facility.
• Identifies and utilizes appropriate channels of communication with supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Develops an Infection Control Program appropriate to the institution and its needs following assessment.
• Serves as member of the CQI and MAC Committee and provides information including:
  • Report of the number and type of infections identified since the last meeting.
  • List of isolated patients.
  • Report on any problems encountered with negative trends, outbreaks, exposures, etc.
  • Suggestions submitted by members of the health care team for improving infection control.
  • Health and Safety rounds of Healthcare Unit(s).
• Serves as member of the Institutional Safety Committee.
• Serves as a member of the Regional Infection Control Committee; attends quarterly meetings and reports pertinent information at monthly unit staff meetings.
• Attends monthly staff meetings to:
  • Report on Infection Control issues.
  • Provide monthly inservices as needed.
  • Update site-specific infection control policies, procedures and educational material.
• Monitors compliance with infection control policies and procedures (e.g., management of contaminated needles, syringes, razors, dressings, blood spills, etc.).
• Monitors compliance with all Infection Control related medications and therapies; reports findings at CQI meeting.
• Conducts on-going surveillance programs to note and correct any practices that are not conducive to the control of infection and communicable diseases.
• Conducts on-going surveillance of clinic areas, patients’ medical records, and laboratory and pharmaceutical reports to identify, monitor, and report infectious disease.
• Participates in environmental rounds to ensure general cleanliness and environmental safety.
• Develops educational programs related to infectious disease for health care and correctional system personnel and inmates.
• Participates in monthly institutional initial inmate orientation.
• Assesses culture and other lab reports weekly to determine:
  • Infections present.
  • Nosocomial infections.
  • Infections: community acquired.
• Assesses all patients with potential sources of contaminants (observes and cultures IV sites, Foley catheters, suture lines, etc.).
• Maintains meticulous records and establishes databases designed to meet the needs of the program, including records of all infections (location, isolation and general treatment of infections).
• Performs assigned clinical duties commensurate to any licensed nurse in the state of New Jersey; functions as member of the nursing health care team.
• Staffs on the health care unit as needed.
• Monitors and tracks of inmates in the ID Chronic Care clinic to ensure required care and follow-up is provided.
• Serves as a liaison between departments of health and the correctional facility.
• Provides monthly numbers for statewide Infection Control and Health Services Reports (as applicable to facility).
• Investigates, completes reports and makes the appropriate notifications for all occupational safety occurrences and safety devices malfunction, etc.

Specific Programs

• Tuberculosis Surveillance:
  • Directs the facility surveillance program in full compliance with guidelines promulgated in the Infection Control Manual.
  • Functions as the resource person for all health staff education pertaining to the implementing, reading, documenting and follow-up of PPD results.
  • Implants PPDs as needed; maintains logs of results; monitors x-rays.
  • Informs the Medical Director of all suspicious x-rays.
  • Works with all resources to promptly obtain advanced diagnostic studies (e.g., chest CT scans) where indicated.
  • Works with the Departments of Health to implement treatment.
  • Maintains statistics on a real-time basis, including:
    • Number inmates screened.
    • Number with positive PPD in millimeters (details if positive is 6mm or 16mm).
    • Number of x-rays done, number of x-rays positive, number of LTBI cases, number on INH prophylaxis, number refused.
  • Documents all discharge planning for TB cases.
• Skin & Integument:
  • Directs the facility surveillance program in full compliance with guidelines promulgated in the Infection Control Manual.
  • Cultures all appropriate wounds for MRSA.
  • Monitors patients along with the primary care team.
  • Maintains statistics on a real-time basis, including:
    • Number inmates screened, number cultured.
    • Number of positive growth, number of MRSA positive, treatment regimen, number refused.
  • Reports findings at the scheduled monthly MAC meetings and at the quarterly County MAC-Infection Control Meetings.
• Air-Borne Infections:
  • Directs the facility surveillance program in full compliance with guidelines promulgated in the Infection Control Manual.
  • Activates the airborne precautions alert where appropriate.
  • Makes the appropriate notifications to corrections.
  • Instructs the patient on infection containment.
  • Leaves written instructions for nursing staff to implement when situations arise during off-hours.
• Blood Borne Pathogens:
  • Directs the facility surveillance program in full compliance with guidelines promulgated in the Infection Control Manual.
  • Maintains the infection control database for HIV infected inmates, including:
    • CD4 count.
    • Viral load.
    • CBC with differential.
    • Urinalysis.
    • Vaccination history.
    • Treatment center – contact names, numbers, releases, treatment plans, compliance data.

General Requirements

• Provides direct and indirect nursing care to meet physiological, psychosocial and emotional needs of the inmate patient within the framework established by the correctional system.
• Provides care to inmate patient in a variety of settings such as initial intake area, health care unit for sick call, emergency situations in housing, chronic care clinics and infirmary.
• Plans nursing care by identification of inmate patient needs; makes appropriate, timely referrals and initiates appropriate nursing care based on institutional policies and procedures.
• Documents plans appropriately; implements nursing care and medical care orders in knowledgeable, safe and cost-effective manner.
• Documents nursing care and medically directed care in accordance with institutional policies and procedures.
• Provides inmate education as an integral part of total patient care.
• Evaluates and documents inmate patient responses to aspects of health care and makes appropriate referrals to members of the health care team.
• Utilizes effective communication skills by demonstrating respect, concern and courtesy in all interpersonal relationships; communicates information in an accurate, concise and timely manner.
• Protects confidentiality of information in written and verbal communications.
• Participates in problem solving activities of the health care team by attending unit meetings, utilizing positive interpersonal skills and appropriate channels to initiate change.
• Functions as a role model for other health care unit personnel and maintains harmonious relationships with security, inmate patients and members of the health care team.
• Uses current knowledge to promote a safe environment for providing health care to inmate patients.
• Maintains clinical area in clean, neat, safe manner and participates in required counts and cleaning assignments.
• Adheres to institution and medical unit infection control policies; understands and adheres to safe correctional nursing practices and institutional security directives.
• Adheres to environmental safety guidelines, policies and procedures; participates in fire and disaster programs and drills as appropriate.
• Maintains current professional skills and continues professional growth to enhance the practice of correctional nursing, infection control practices and the image of the organization.
• Attends appropriate inservices and continuing education offerings to obtain and maintain necessary skills.
• Participates in education and orientation of inmates, security officers and other members of the health care team.
• Exhibits an ability to participate in the change process to support the organization and the health care unit.
• Accepts assignments and extra duties with flexibility and willingness to participate in activities other than “infection control” duties.
• Functions in a stressful environment.
• Adheres to personnel policies to enhance the operation of the health care unit.
• Conforms to dress code and time and attendance policy; reports to work at designated time.
• Maintains required annual licensure, CPR certification and credentialing requirements.

Qualifications

• Education: Completion from an accredited school of nursing with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (preferred).
• Licensure: Current, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state in which the facility is located (maintain a current copy of license on file at the facility at all times).
• Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of experience as an Infection Control Nurse (preferred); previous correctional health care experience preferred.

Required Skills

• Updates and maintains skills and knowledge related to correctional health care and infection control.
• Excellent critical thinking and assessment skills.
• Strong clinical skills with ability to react decisively in emergency situations.
• Ability to make decisions independently.
• Assertive, empathetic and able to provide care objectively.
• Strong interpersonal communication and customer service skills; excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to command the respect and confidence of inmate patients and staff; philosophically committed to the objectives of the facility.
• Maintains an active Basic Life Support (B