The IP is responsible for the facility’s activities aimed at preventing healthcare-associated infections by ensuring that sources of infections are isolated to limit the spread of infectious organisms. The IP systematically collects, analyzes, and interprets health data in order to plan, implement, evaluate, and disseminate appropriate public health practices. The IP conducts educational and training activities for healthcare workers through instruction and dissemination of information on healthcare practices.

Responsibilities:

The IP is responsible for the implementation and review of the facility’s infection prevention program. The IP ensures that existing standards and guidelines of applicable professional organizations and regulatory and governmental agencies are incorporated into the program. The IP reviews relevant public health issues to integrate into practice, serves as a consultant and resource person regarding infection prevention issues for all facility personnel, collaborates with other healthcare professionals within and outside of the facility, and implements infection prevention education programs. The IP systematically collects and analyzes healthcare-associated infection data using epidemiological principles and statistical methods to identify trends and risk factors. Additionally, it is often the responsibility of the IP to perform the reporting of HAI and quality data for the various facility, county, state, and federal reporting requirements. The IP incorporates the principles of fiscal responsibility into practice and promotes the standards of advanced professional practice.

Duties:

The IP conducts rounds, discusses and monitors infection prevention practices with staff members, collects infection data from departments, maintains records for each case of healthcare- associated infection, conducts outbreak investigation, trains staff members on implementation of infection prevention practices, investigates incidents of infections and reports such incidents to the appropriate person/department, and ensures availability of supplies required for infection prevention activities. Specifically, the IP is responsible for the following:

Making recommendations regarding the prevention and control of infection on a 24-hour basis

Providing advice for all staff members regarding the management of infectious patients/residents and other infection prevention issues

Developing and implementing the annual infection prevention plan in conjunction with the clinical team

Evaluating the annual plan for goal achievement in conjunction with the clinical team

Conducting surveillance of infections

Ensuring the completion of audits regarding the implementation of and compliance with selected policies

Providing education and training for all staff members and independent practitioners regarding the prevention of HAIs

Liaise with the Employee Health Nurse regarding relevant staff member health issues

Liaise with clinical teams regarding the development of standards, audits, and research

Cooperating with the county and state department of health regarding infectious and communicable disease reporting

Skills:

The IP should be a highly energetic individual who demonstrates a desire to develop and implement the infection prevention and control program. The IP is able to plan and conduct training seminars and exercises and has a working knowledge of nursing practice and theory. The IP should have excellent written and oral communication skills, display leadership and creativity, possess time management skills, and have extensive presentation experience. The IP should be adaptable and flexible in order to meet a wide range of service needs. The typical position of IP requires:

moving throughout the organization

lifting up to 20 pounds

sitting for long periods of time

Education:

A highly successful IP has the following educational background:

2-3 years of LTC experience

Current professional licensure in the State of Oklahoma if appropriate to the primary discipline

Certification in Infection Control should be achieved within two years in the position if not certified before.

Previous experience in teaching, curriculum development, and instruction is desired.

The IP should be able to:

Read, analyze, and interpret contracts, technical procedures, and/or government regulations

Display proficiency in computer and software skills

Write reports and other forms of correspondence

Present verbal and/or written information and respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints

Apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, rates, and proportions to practical situations

Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical tools for analysis and problem solving

Create and interpret various charts and graphs to present in an understandable format

Reason, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions

Interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, schematic, and schedule form

Apply principles of logical and/or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems

Interpret nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs)

Use information management systems for:

Data entry and retrieval

Data collection and organization

Data analysis and evaluation

Required reporting

Integration of diverse sources of data

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Healthcare setting:

• Long term care
• Rehabilitation center

Medical specialties:

• Geriatrics

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• LPN/LVN or RN (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tishomingo, OK 73460: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person