INFECTION PREVENTIONIST (RN)

Major Duties And Responsibilities

• Develops and coordinates the Infection Prevention and Control Program throughout the facility.
• Implements the program by formulating, establishing, and evaluating policies and procedures relating to patient care infection control measures throughout the facility.
• Oversees compliance of the Exposure Control Plan and Infection Control Practices of the facility utilizing national standards/guidelines.
• Serves as resource person for infection control issues with ongoing collaboration with other staff to provide optimal resident care, to evaluate their care and track infections.
• Works with Director of Nursing to develop and revise policies and procedures relating to Infection Prevention Program.
• Investigates infections control problems and arranges follow-up care for patients exposed to infectious disease.
• Reports patients with communicable diseases to the appropriate county and/or state health department.
• Administers immunizations to staff and residents and orders x-rays and cultures as needed.
• Provides staff and resident education on risk of infection and practices to reduce risks.
• Makes routine rounds to monitor Infection Control Practices of all staff and report findings to DON.
• Collects Infection Control data from each department, maintains records, reviews, and implements corrective actions as needed.
• Prepares and submits reports of infections, antibiotic stewardship, effectiveness of the surveillance plan and other infection quality indicators to monthly Infection Control Meeting and QAPI Committee.
• Trends data and develops action plans as required.
• Performs annual evaluation of program and develops action plan and goals as needed and reports to QAPI Committee.
• Supports the facility’s Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QAPI) program and structure by providing education, data generation and analysis of key quality indicators concerning infections.

Qualifications

• Alabama State Registered Professional Nurse License
• Evidence of continuing education and training in infection control measures
• Minimum two (2) years clinical experience in a hospital, nursing care facility or other related healthcare facility
• Working knowledge of epidemiology, microbiology, infectious diseases and aseptic technique to include standard/transmission based precautions