LVN/LPN Infection Control DSD Nurse-H

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, coordinate, and direct the facility’s infection control program in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines governing nursing care facilities.
• Ensure compliance with CDC, OSHA, and local regulations concerning infection control, standard/universal precautions, and aseptic techniques.
• Develop, maintain, and update infection control policies and procedures, including corrective actions for problem areas.
• Interpret and communicate infection control policies and procedures as necessary.
• Maintain a reference library of infection control materials to support daily operations.
• Prepare and present written and oral reports on the infection control program to the Administrator.
• Assist departments in evaluating and classifying job-related tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Monitor infection control practices to ensure adherence to standard operating procedures.
• Conduct rounds to review environmental sanitation, isolation precautions, and case findings.
• Visit isolated residents to ensure compliance with established isolation precautions and aseptic techniques.
• Ensure availability of laboratory support, including microbiological and serological services.
• Review and analyze infectious disease laboratory reports and collaborate with the Director of Nursing Services on care plans.
• Develop and implement guidelines for decontamination and sterilization activities in the facility.
• Perform periodic testing of sterile packs, bundles, and sterilization equipment, and monitor shelf life of medical items.
• Ensure proper disposal and removal of infective and contaminated materials.
• Prepare monthly summaries of resident and personnel infections, corrective actions, and results, and submit to the Administrator and Director of Nursing Services.
• Investigate and report on nosocomial and community-acquired infections, including recommendations for prevention.
• Maintain records of residents and employees with nosocomial infections.
• Participate in surveys of possible carriers and trace sources of infection within the facility.
• Assist in developing infection control procedures for laundry services, environmental services, and equipment cleaning.
• Participate in facility surveys conducted by authorized government agencies.
• Assist in developing and implementing discharge plans for residents in isolation or on infection control precautions.
• Develop and implement a facility-wide TB management control program.
• Report all reportable diseases to county and state health departments.
• Complete administrative duties such as medical forms, reports, evaluations, and charting.

Committee Functions

• Serve on and participate in Infection Control Committee meetings.
• Represent the Infection Control Committee as required.
• Assist in evaluating and revising infection control practices and aseptic techniques.
• Establish criteria for classifying job-related tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Provide written and oral reports on nosocomial infections to the Infection Control Committee.
• Ensure major changes in cleaning products or techniques are approved by the Infection Control Committee.
• Evaluate and implement recommendations from the Infection Control Committee.
• Provide information and recommendations on TB assessment and isolation protocols.

Personnel Functions

• Develop and implement a system for detecting, evaluating, recording, and reporting infections among facility personnel.
• Assist the personnel director in developing and implementing an employee health services program, including individual counseling.
• Provide counseling to employees on infection control and employee health programs.
• Inform personnel about the facility’s policies on hepatitis B vaccinations.
• Assist in establishing TB Mantoux testing and recordkeeping protocols for all employees.
• Orient new employees on infection control policies, personal hygiene, handwashing techniques, and responsibilities for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals according to facility policies.
• Meet with staff to identify and correct problem areas and improve services.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with all department directors and personnel to ensure effective infection control services.
• Maintain a strong working relationship with the medical profession and other health-related facilities.
• Review complaints and grievances from department personnel and report to the Administrator or Director of Nursing Services as needed.
• Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.
• Ensure compliance with facility policies on unattended computer workstations, including logging off or activating password-protected screen savers.

Nursing Care and Consultation

• Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility.
• Ensure all nursing service personnel follow established isolation precautions and aseptic techniques, including standard/universal precautions.
• Ensure residents with known communicable or infectious diseases are placed in isolation or on infection control precautions.
• Interview residents or family members to explain isolation and standard/universal precautions.
• Conduct rounds with physicians as necessary and encourage timely documentation of progress notes and physicians’ orders.
• Monitor medication passes and treatments to ensure proper handwashing and hand hygiene techniques.
• Review nurses’ notes for residents in isolation to ensure they reflect the care provided and the resident’s response.
• Assist nursing service personnel in performing nursing care procedures as needed.
• Obtain culture samples according to established procedures.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.

Staff Development

• Develop, implement, and maintain an orientation program for new employees on infection control and employee health.
• Assist support services in developing and conducting in-service training programs on infection control.
• Collaborate with the In-Service Director/Educator to develop annual OSHA and CDC training programs on hazard communication, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens.
• Develop training programs for personnel performing tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.

Equipment and Safety

• Recommend equipment and supply needs for the infection control program to the Director of Nursing Services.
• Ensure adequate stock levels of medical supplies and equipment to meet resident needs.
• Assist the maintenance director in developing a preventive maintenance program for nursing department equipment and supplies.
• Develop and implement procedures to ensure efficient use of nursing service supplies and minimize waste.
• Ensure compliance with policies for labeling or tagging contaminated equipment sent for repair or decontamination.

Care Plan Functions

• Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining written care plans for residents in isolation or on infection control precautions.
• Encourage resident participation in the development and review of their care plans.
• Explain the need for infection control practices and standard/universal precautions to residents.
• Schedule and present care plans at committee meetings for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
• Ensure all personnel involved in resident care are aware of the care plan.
• Review care plans prior to administering daily care or performing nursing procedures involving exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Review nurses’ notes to ensure adherence to the care plan and revise care plans at least quarterly.
• Maintain a collaborative relationship with all services involved in care planning to achieve a team effort in preventing and controlling infections.

Budget and Planning

• Assist the Director of Nursing Services in preparing the department’s budget for the infection control program.
• Stay informed about economic conditions and recommend adjustments to ensure continued ability to prevent and control infectious diseases.
• Recommend equipment and supply needs for the Infection Control Program to the Director of Nursing Services.
• Report suspected or known incidents of fraud related to false billings, cost reports, or kickbacks.