QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

· Must have, as a minimum, 1 year of experience as a RN/ LVN/ LPN in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.

Certificates and Licenses:

· Must possess an active license to practice as a RN/ LVN/ LPN license valid in this state.

POSITION SUMMARY: The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct our infection control program and its activities in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern such programs, and as may be directed by the Administrator and the Infection Control Committee to ensure that an effective infection control program is maintained at all times.

: Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

• Assists the Director of Nursing Services in managing and directing the Nursing Services Department.
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, coordinate, and direct our infection control program in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern such requirements in the long-term care facility.
• Ensure that the facility is in compliance with current CDC, OSHA, and local regulations concerning infection control or universal precautions.
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update infection control precautions and aseptic technique that successfully correct problem areas.
• Interpret infection control policies and procedures as necessary.
• Maintain a reference library of written infection control material that will assist the facility in meeting the day-to-day needs of the isolated resident.
• Assist all departments in evaluating and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified.
• Monitor infection control practices and procedures to ensure that all personnel are implementing our standard operating procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Make rounds to nursing units for the purpose of case findings, review of environmental sanitation procedures, and supervision of isolation precautions/practices.
• Visit isolated residents as necessary to ensure that established isolation precautions and aseptic technique are followed.
• Review and analyze infectious disease laboratory reports and consult with the Director of Nursing Services in developing the care plan for assuring that aseptic techniques are implemented.
• Assist in developing and implementing guidelines for the decontamination and sterilization activities performed in the facility.
• Perform periodic testing of our prepared sterile packs, bundles, and supplies, including sterilization equipment.
• Ensure that all personnel follow established procedures for the disposal and removal of infective and contaminated materials from the facility.
• Prepare monthly summaries of all resident/personnel infections, corrective action taken, and the results of the corrective action. Submit copies to the Administrator and Director of Nursing Services.
• Maintain a written record of all residents and employees who have nosocomial infections. Participate in surveys of possible carriers among residents and personnel, and in tracing possible sources of infection within the facility.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies. Assist the Discharge Planning Coordinator in developing and implementing discharge plans for the resident in isolation or on infection control precautions.
• Assist in the development and implementation of a facility-wide TB management control program.
• Report all reportable diseases to the county and state health departments.
• Serve on, participate in, and attend Infection Control Committee meetings. Represent the Infection Control Committee as required.
• Provide personnel with information concerning the facility's policies governing hepatitis B vaccinations.
• Orient new employees to the importance of infection control policies and procedures, personal hygiene, hand washing techniques, etc., as well as the employee's responsibility in following our established procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.
• Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility. Ensure that all nursing service personnel follow established isolation precautions and aseptic technique to include universal precautions.
• Ensure that residents with known communicable or infectious diseases are placed in isolation or on infection control precautions to include universal precautions.
• Assist nursing service personnel in performing nursing care procedures as necessary. Obtain culture samples in accordance with our established procedures.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective orientation program that orients the new employee to our infection control and employee health program.
• Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communication, TB management, and blood borne pathogens standard.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident in isolation or on infection control precautions that identifies the problems/needs of the resident, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care.
• Insofar as practical, encourage the resident to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care and explain to the resident the need to follow infection control practices and universal precautions.
• Assist the Director of Nursing Services in preparing the budget for the department in relation to its infection control program and activities.
• Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations, and recommend to the Director of Nursing Services adjustments that ensure the continued ability to prevent and control infectious diseases.
• Recommend to the Director of Nursing Services the equipment and supply needs for the Infection Control Program and its activities.
• Explain to the resident the necessity of isolation and universal precautions. Ensure that all nursing service personnel are knowledgeable of the residents' rights, including the right to refuse treatment.
• Monitor nursing care to ensure that all residents are treated fairly, and with kindness, dignity, and respect while in isolation or on universal precautions.
• Ensure that adequate supplies of personal protective equipment are on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Assist in developing policies and procedures in the handling and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments.
• Ensures that nursing department employment actions are administered fairly and in compliance with the facility’s Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35.00 - $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Experience:

• Licensed Vocational Nurse: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Ca LVN license (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Willits, CA 95490: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person