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Form of workInfection Preventionist Job Description
Position Overview
The Infection Preventionist reports to the Director of Nursing and partners with the Medical Director, Infectious Disease MD/NP, Corporate Infection Preventionist, and/or other stakeholders to develop a system of care that promotes sound and scientific infection prevention principles and practices.
This individual is accountable for decreasing the incidence and transmission of infectious diseases between residents, staff, visitors and the community. Through strategic planning, leadership and consultation, you will lead and direct a robust team in the identification and implementation of infection prevention goals and objectives throughout the facility.
Position Responsibilities and Qualifications
In this key position, essential job duties and responsibilities include:
• Partners with the Medical Director for Epidemiology/Infectious Disease, and or Corporate Infection Preventionist to develop, implement and evaluate annual infection prevention goals and action plan.
• Partners with facility leaders, physicians, local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention.
• Oversees the operations of the infection prevention, epidemiology, workplace hygiene, and relevant safety programs.
• Accountable for surveillance of healthcare acquired and community acquired infections.
• Manages goal-setting process for system, unit and physician goals related to healthcare acquired infections and conditions.
• Lead workplace hygiene program to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, mitigate, and control workplace conditions. Assigned to employee and resident TB screening, vaccination programs and ensuring the facility follows the Core Principles of Infection Prevention and Control.
• Participates in the national collaborative and external reporting to CDC NHSN system, and other post-acute-care specific quality organizations.
• Authority and responsibility for ensuring appropriate intervention and education occurs with staff, volunteers and medical staff when healthcare infection trends, outbreaks or non-compliance to Infection Control/OSHA are identified.
• Ensures that education and counseling on infection prevention is available for staff, volunteers, medical staff, residents and resident representatives.
• Support and participate in monthly interdisciplinary performance and quality improvement process.
• Maintains current knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and ensures that the facility leaders are informed of appropriate issues. Understands and complies with Infection Control, safety and OSHA procedures and regulations.
• Attend and participate in monthly QAPI meetings, daily IDT meetings, and Weekly Facility Infection meetings.
• Attend and participate in corporate wide competency and skills training on Infection Prevention and Control.
• Gather, collect, and analyze weekly and monthly data on facility admitted and acquired Infections. Perform surveillance. Identify trends and champion the Antibiotic Stewardship Program.
• Collect information on Flu and Pneumonia vaccinations for both employees and residents. Project yearly order needs for Flu Vaccination for employees and residents. Conduct Wellness days for Employee and Resident Vaccination. IP will keep the Flu and Pneumonia log and consents in PCC.
• Conduct daily rounds in all departments in the facility, including laundry, housekeeping, nursing, activities, therapy, and dietary.
• Inspect environmental cleaning and disinfectant solutions, if matches with incidence and prevalence of organisms in the facility.
• Contact local health department, XDRO Registry, IDPH for reportable cases as appropriate.
• Submit appropriate reports.
• Review and implement policies and procedures on Infection Prevention and Control.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Must adhere to the Company's Code of Conduct and Business Ethics policy including documentation and reporting responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Licensed Nurse
• Specialty training in Infection Prevention and Control through accredited continuing education
• Must be certified in Infection Prevention and Control
• Minimum of two years' experience in a LTC setting.
• Demonstrates ability to work with other health care professionals
• Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be capable of maintaining regular attendance with at least part-time in the facility
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS
• Advanced computer skills
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality regarding patient and company proprietary information.
• Must have the ability to relate professionally and positively and work cooperatively with other employees at all levels.
PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS
Mobility, reaching, bending, lifting, grasping, fingering, fine hand coordination, ability to talk and hear; ability to read and write; ability to communicate with personnel, ability to remain calm under stress. Ability to adequately lift, support and bodily manipulate the weight of a patient.
Position Overview
The Infection Preventionist reports to the Director of Nursing and partners with the Medical Director, Infectious Disease MD/NP, Corporate Infection Preventionist, and/or other stakeholders to develop a system of care that promotes sound and scientific infection prevention principles and practices.
This individual is accountable for decreasing the incidence and transmission of infectious diseases between residents, staff, visitors and the community. Through strategic planning, leadership and consultation, you will lead and direct a robust team in the identification and implementation of infection prevention goals and objectives throughout the facility.
Position Responsibilities and Qualifications
In this key position, essential job duties and responsibilities include:
• Partners with the Medical Director for Epidemiology/Infectious Disease, and or Corporate Infection Preventionist to develop, implement and evaluate annual infection prevention goals and action plan.
• Partners with facility leaders, physicians, local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention.
• Oversees the operations of the infection prevention, epidemiology, workplace hygiene, and relevant safety programs.
• Accountable for surveillance of healthcare acquired and community acquired infections.
• Manages goal-setting process for system, unit and physician goals related to healthcare acquired infections and conditions.
• Lead workplace hygiene program to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, mitigate, and control workplace conditions. Assigned to employee and resident TB screening, vaccination programs and ensuring the facility follows the Core Principles of Infection Prevention and Control.
• Participates in the national collaborative and external reporting to CDC NHSN system, and other post-acute-care specific quality organizations.
• Authority and responsibility for ensuring appropriate intervention and education occurs with staff, volunteers and medical staff when healthcare infection trends, outbreaks or non-compliance to Infection Control/OSHA are identified.
• Ensures that education and counseling on infection prevention is available for staff, volunteers, medical staff, residents and resident representatives.
• Support and participate in monthly interdisciplinary performance and quality improvement process.
• Maintains current knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and ensures that the facility leaders are informed of appropriate issues. Understands and complies with Infection Control, safety and OSHA procedures and regulations.
• Attend and participate in monthly QAPI meetings, daily IDT meetings, and Weekly Facility Infection meetings.
• Attend and participate in corporate wide competency and skills training on Infection Prevention and Control.
• Gather, collect, and analyze weekly and monthly data on facility admitted and acquired Infections. Perform surveillance. Identify trends and champion the Antibiotic Stewardship Program.
• Collect information on Flu and Pneumonia vaccinations for both employees and residents. Project yearly order needs for Flu Vaccination for employees and residents. Conduct Wellness days for Employee and Resident Vaccination. IP will keep the Flu and Pneumonia log and consents in PCC.
• Conduct daily rounds in all departments in the facility, including laundry, housekeeping, nursing, activities, therapy, and dietary.
• Inspect environmental cleaning and disinfectant solutions, if matches with incidence and prevalence of organisms in the facility.
• Contact local health department, XDRO Registry, IDPH for reportable cases as appropriate.
• Submit appropriate reports.
• Review and implement policies and procedures on Infection Prevention and Control.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Must adhere to the Company's Code of Conduct and Business Ethics policy including documentation and reporting responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Licensed Nurse
• Specialty training in Infection Prevention and Control through accredited continuing education
• Must be certified in Infection Prevention and Control
• Minimum of two years' experience in a LTC setting.
• Demonstrates ability to work with other health care professionals
• Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate excellent observation, verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be capable of maintaining regular attendance with at least part-time in the facility
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS
• Advanced computer skills
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality regarding patient and company proprietary information.
• Must have the ability to relate professionally and positively and work cooperatively with other employees at all levels.
PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS
Mobility, reaching, bending, lifting, grasping, fingering, fine hand coordination, ability to talk and hear; ability to read and write; ability to communicate with personnel, ability to remain calm under stress. Ability to adequately lift, support and bodily manipulate the weight of a patient.
