Infection Preventionist

JOB SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of this position is to plan, organize, develop, coordinate and direct the facility infection prevention and control program and its activities in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern such programs and as directed by the Administrator, the Infection Prevention and Control Committee, and in collaboration with the Medical Director. This position is hourly/non-exempt.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans, develops, implements, evaluates and oversees the infection prevention and control program in accordance with current regulations and guidelines governing skilled nursing facilities.
• Ensures that the facility follows current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and local regulations concerning infection prevention and control.
• Monitors and ensures that all nursing services personnel follow established infection prevention and control practices and aseptic techniques when caring for residents.
• Makes rounds with physicians and other healthcare practitioners as necessary.
• Establishes and maintains an infection surveillance program that is based on standardized definitions of infections.
• Establishes, implements and monitors data collection tools for process and outcome surveillance.
• Assists the Director of Environmental Services and the Laundry Supervisor in developing infection prevention and control procedures for their departments.
• Reviews, summarizes and reports data relative to key infection prevention and control initiatives including antibiotic stewardship, healthcare acquired infections, immunization programs and outbreaks.
• Conducts special investigations pertaining to new or significant trends in infections or communicable diseases.
• Presents findings from special investigations and make recommendations to the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
• Assists all departments in evaluating and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified.
• Participates in the annual facility assessment.
• Assists in developing and implementing waste disposal policies and procedures for infectious waste, supplies, etc.
• Reviews, modifies and interprets infection prevention and control policies and procedures as necessary.; reports all reportable diseases to the county and state health departments; reports other required data related to infection prevention and control to the appropriate agencies.
• Develops and implements procedures that ensure infection prevention and control supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
• Ensures that adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) are on hand and readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Recommends to the Director of Nursing the equipment and supply needs for the infection prevention and control program and its activities.
• Serves on, participates in and attends Infection Prevention and Control Committee, Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee and interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings as requested or indicated; Implements recommendations from the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
• Assists the Medical Director in developing and implementing the employee health program.
• Makes rounds; coaches’ staff; in-services staff on infection prevention and control protocol; works closely with the Director of Nursing and supports implementation of equipment/tools or protocols that are recommended by the Medical Director.
• Attends, participates and facilitates appropriate educational or management meetings with the goal of implementing best practices focused on meeting resident's needs.
• Maintains staff attendance; participates in appropriate in-service and department meetings.
• Reports noticeable environmental or equipment repair needs to the maintenance department.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• LVN or RN License; APIC Certification in infection prevention and control is preferred but not required.
• Minimum three years combined experience in skilled nursing or another related health care field; Training and demonstrated knowledge of infection prevention and control is essential; Must complete initial and ongoing infection prevention training required by the California Department of Public Health.
• Familiar with health care facilities and services including state and federal regulations specifically Title XXll and OBRA; possesses knowledge of older persons and the concepts of person-centered care and culture change.
• Working knowledge of epidemiology, microbiology, infectious diseases and aseptic technique to include standard and transmission-based precautions.
• Basic computer skills a must.