Infection Control Nurse Jobs

Wage Range:

Minimum: $42.34/hour

Maximum: $64.04/hour

• Graduate from an accredited program of professional nursing required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience as a registered nurse in a psychiatric health-care facility preferred.

• Currently licensed to practice by the State Board of Nursing.

• Must pass a medication administration exam and complete a basic developmental competency exam.
• CPR certification and successful completion of De-escalation and HWC within 30 days of employment, and prior to assisting in a restraining process.
• Complete APIC Basic Training Course, preferred.

• Carry out periodic inspections to ensure that procedures for the control of infections are being followed correctly.
• Initiate discussion regarding possible epidemiological causes of illnesses, specifically the determination of nosocomial versus community acquired infections.
• Monitor employee and patient illnesses and health activities, respond to problem situations in an urgent manner, and report the number and type to the Infection Control Committee.
• Develop and maintain a method of identifying and recording known or suspected infections in patients and employees.
• Collect and maintain statistical data in regards to the identification and control of infections.
• Coordinate closely with all departments to obtain information regarding patients and staff with suspected infections and ensuring control procedures are in place and adhered to.
• Conduct periodic inspections to ensure that procedures for the control of infections are implemented and adhered to.
• Coordinate with the Infection Control Committee to determine the direction of surveillance activities.
• Contribute significantly to any interventions or recommendations made by the committee in response to the discussion about an illness.

• Report unusual clusters or outbreaks to Infection Control Committee and conduct investigations as appropriate.
• Ensure that all information pertinent to surveillance monitoring and reporting is maintained and reported to the Infection Control Committee in a timely fashion.
• Prepare monthly reports to the Safety/Risk Management Committee, Infection Control Committee, Medical Staff Committee, and Nursing Administration Committee that includes data on infection rates by nursing units, site, and pathogen.
• Develop and implement continuously improved patient care procedures and control mechanisms relating to infectious diseases.
• Identify objectives for infection control monitoring, data collection and reporting.
• Notify the County and/or State Health Department/Board of any reportable diseases, adhering to all internal county and state procedures.
• Alert all facility medical staff regarding any actual or suspected infection, and initiate culture and sensitivity testing and all appropriate control procedures.

• Evaluate and document the effectiveness of infection control activities.
• Identify the need for intervention in the care of patients and employees with infection and contact the appropriate individuals when necessary.
• Help control the spread of infection in accord with infection control policies and procedures by ascertaining the nature of the infection and the steps to be followed and judge their degree of implementation.
• Track all monitor infection data to evaluate and investigate trends and report all trends to appropriate facility staff.

• Assist with the development of an education program pertaining to the infection control within the facility.
• Continuously monitor all infections, and investigate and report on unusual events.
• Consult with the Infection Control Committee to provide information on infectious diseases, and infection control.
• Organize Infection Control Committee meetings and maintain all meeting minutes.
• Participate in infection control education of all employees during orientation and annually thereafter, including classes in infection control practices and employee health.
• Assist with the ongoing review of antibiotic usage as needed.
• Ensure the infection control procedures meet Joint Commission, county and state guidelines.
• Act as a consultant in infection control for the Nursing Department by assisting with assessing patient infection control problems, planning and evaluating the care of the patient, and making recommendations for home care on discharge.
• Act as a liaison between the State/County Board of Health and Health Department.
• Coordinate with the Infection Control Committee to update and revise facility infection control policies, procedures and practices.

• Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient/resident information.
• Attend all mandatory facility inservices and staff development activities as scheduled.
• Adhere to facility, department and Corporate Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.

• Knowledge of the principles of epidemiology and infectious disease.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use good judgement and to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Through knowledge of all infectious disease, disease warning signs, and response procedures.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric).
• Knowledge of the County Health department procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures is essential.
• Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Knowledge of infection control procedures, IOSHA, OSHA, and CDC guidelines.
• Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.

• Ability to manipulate small and large tools (electric thermometer, telephone, wheelchair, blood
• Pressure cuffs, walkers, paper punch, addressograph, restraints, staplers, EKG machine, copy machine).
• Ability to reach above, at or below waist height, kneel, bend, stoop, turn twist, and throw.
• Ability to respond to exposure to blood and body fluids
• Ability to frequently lift and carry 10 lbs.; occasionally lift and carry, 10-50 lbs.
• Mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present and where dust, mist and steam are generated in housekeeping tasks.
• Ability to frequently push/pull wheeled carts from 100-200 lbs.
• Ability to sit and stand (one-third of the shift), and walk (two-thirds of the shift).
• Ability to hear well enough to detect noises on the unit and to discern odors.
• Ability to work in an environment where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning; where
• Ability to see well enough to reach charts, treatment plans and typewritten materials.
• Ability to frequently handle hazardous/infectious waste.
• Ability to work frequently at a rapid pace and perform a variety of repetitive duties.