Infection Preventionist Jobs

Position Summary:

In keeping with our organization’s goal of improving the lives of the Residents we serve; the Infection Preventionist plays a critical role in the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP), which includes but is not limited to surveillance, analysis, interpretation and reporting of facility acquired infections. The IP will safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of all Residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors by following applicable laws, regulations, and established nursing policies and procedures.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Attend staff meetings and in-services as requested. Attends in-service and education programs and attends continuing education required for maintenance of professional certification or licensure.
• Understands Infection Control and follows the Company’s Infection Control guidelines, such as hand washing principles, understanding of isolation and standard precautions, recognizing signs and symptoms of infection, demonstrating and understanding of the process for identifying and handling infectious waste and cross contamination, maintaining personal hygiene, and complying with OSHA standards in the workplace.
• Acts as an infection prevention and control educational resource for residents, employees, volunteers, and visitors.
• Participates in federal, state, and local agency annual surveys.
• Performs other tasks as required.
• Ensures facility compliance with federal, state, and local infection control standards.
• Develops, implements, and maintains ongoing training and educational programs for all facility personnel in relation to infection prevention and control topics.
• Review with appropriate department heads any deficiencies noted by government agencies during inspections.
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA guidelines at all times and protects confidential information by only providing information on a “need-to-know” basis.
• Ensure equipment is used in a safe manner and report any maintenance concerns to the Director of Maintenance. Reports all hazardous conditions, damaged equipment, and supply issues to the appropriate persons.
• Provides education to staff and assists in the development, implementation, and enforcement of infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Answer and respond to call lights promptly and courteously when working in resident care areas.
• Responsible for identifying, controlling, and preventing outbreaks of infections in the facility.
• Adheres to the Nurse Practice Act.
• Promotes and Protects Resident Rights by assisting Residents to make informed decisions, treating Residents with dignity and respect, protecting Residents’ personal belongings, reporting suspected abuse or neglect, avoiding the need for physical restraints in accordance with current professional standards, and supporting independent expression, choice and decision-making consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
• Promotes compliance with accident prevention procedures, safety rules, and safe work practices to prevent employee injury and illness and control worker’s compensation costs.
• Maintain own professional requirements for continuing education and staff development by participating in work related seminars, etc.
• Develops, revises, and implements infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Communicates and interacts effectively and tactfully with Residents, visitors, families, peers, and supervisors.
• Collects and analyzes infection control data.
• Maintains the comfort, privacy and dignity of Residents and interacts with them in a manner that displays warmth, respect and promotes a caring environment.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position has indirect supervisor responsibilities for CNAs/STNAs and other nursing personnel.

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Education, Training, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, or related field.
• Knowledge of federal and state infection control regulations.
• Current state license as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse & CPR Certification
• Completed specialized training in infection prevention and control.
• Five years of experience as an RN; one year of experience in an infection control position.
• Graduate from an accredited Nursing program.

Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Has strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to prioritize responsibilities.
• Knowledge of current federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the practice of nursing in a long-term care setting.
• Ability to provide effective education and guidance on infection prevention and control practices.
• Basic computer knowledge is required.