Quality Assurance (Qa) Nurse/Infection Control

The QA Nurse/Infection Control is responsible for coordinating a structured Quality Assurance program that meets all federal and state regulatory requirements. The program is multi-disciplinary, multi-level and facility-wide and involves all essential departments in a process of evaluating, correcting and managing systems that affect the quality of care provided within the skilled nursing facility. The QA Nurse/Infection Control ensures that the facility's practices meet or exceed an expected standard of quality by utilizing the principles of continuous quality improvement.
The position also provides education for staff at all levels to improve regulatory compliance and systems and to better meet the needs of our Veterans/Members.
As an employee with the State of Arizona you will learn, implement and monitor Arizona Management System (AMS) methods while utilizing AMS concepts and tools for problem solving and continuous work/process improvements and efficiencies. You will actively be involved in AMS processes such as huddle boards, problem solving, job breakdown sheets, success tracking, and standardized work and incorporate a cultural focus on Veteran/Member-centered care in the performance of job duties.

• Ensures that facility meets state, federal and VA regulations, ensures facility's policies and procedures meet regulations and are consistent with the facility’s practices
• Assists supervisors /managers in developing and implementing corrective action plans
• Present material for identified staff education
• Drafts policies and procedures pertaining to quality assurance using guidelines such as nursing home regulations, facility practices, evidenced-based practice, complaints, audits, observation and other informational sources
• Participates as a member of other committees which impact the Quality Assurance Program
• Utilizes assessment and scheduling protocol to evaluate quality of training and ensure that staff is adequately trained to meet desired outcomes. Coordinate with Director of Nursing for in-services; completes required in-service training.
• Coordinates facility preparations for surveys
• Coordinate and manage surveillance data with daily/weekly rounds on an inter-departmental level
• Coordinate submittal of interdepartmental infection control reports to QAPI
• Chairs and coordinates internal Quality Assurance Committee meeting as well as the Infection Control Committee meeting
• Gathers and analyzes data through audits, interviews and other activities to monitor compliance of all disciplines, departments and services with applicable policies and procedures, standards and regulations
• Keep abreast of any current information and attend educational opportunities to assist in role such as provided by CMS and CDC
• Infection Preventiveness: Maintain current antibiotic listing by unit for daily review with IDT. Confirm appropriate and effective use of antibiotics per diagnostic test results and coordinate with nursing administration and physicians as needed.
• Works with the Administrator in investigating allegations of abuse, neglect and mistreatment of residents
• Prepares, distributes and interprets reports, statistical analyses, data summaries and other written information to facility staff pertaining to the activities of QAPI
• Monitors and reports on facility’s plans for correcting deficiencies identified by surveying agencies
• Investigates incidents of non-compliance
• Identifies training needs and develops and implements educational programs for staff across all shifts in all work practices and other areas related to quality assurance and compliance education and re-education
• Maintain weekly tracking and trending of infections per individual units and determine need for staff education.
• Reviews monthly CASPER (Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting) report and develops Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) based PIPs (performance improvement plans) where needed
• Prepares periodic reports summarizing the status of facility compliance with established goals and measures set for quality assurance
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position
• Conduct infection control surveillance daily rounds to confirm compliance with individual care plans for residents with infections by facility staff.
• Conducts special studies upon request.
• Map out all infections with McGeer and non-McGeer criteria to provide for timely tracking and trending
• Monitors and reports on facility’s plans for correcting deficiencies identified by surveying agencies

Knowledge of:

• Nursing processes, practices and techniques
• Principles of management and administration
• Infection Preventiveness.
• Patient care standards
• Quality assurance and utilization review principles and methods
• Basic statistical and data gathering techniques
• Basic training interventions that may be used to develop staff skills and knowledge
• OBRA and other pertinent nursing home regulations as they apply to quality assurance activities
• Facility programs, policies and procedures
• Varied approaches and techniques of adult instruction consisting of measurement, assessment and skill based competencies

Skill in:

• Analyzing data
• Interpreting regulatory guidelines as they apply to development of training approaches
• Teaching in varied situations, primarily within group or 1:1 settings
• Managing projects
• Problem solving
• Preparing reports and utilizing statistical and factual data
• Organizing and conducting meetings
• Verbal and written communication
• Applying nursing techniques to address quality issues

Ability to:

• Work with all levels of organization
• Analyze and interpret information and data
• Develop and coordinate training programs.
• Hold other staff accountable

• Infection Preventiveness Certification required
• DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card required
• In-state travel; valid AZ Driver's License is required
• Requires current license to practice in Arizona as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Human Resources at [email protected] and 602.781.7032 for assistance.