Job Summary:

Responsible for the Infection Prevention Program. Evaluates quality of resident care and resident outcomes as they relate to healthcare–associated infections. Collects, prepares and analyzes healthcare–associated infection data, presents this data, and makes recommendations for actions. Monitors employee compliance in use of barriers and infection prevention measures. Prepares and presents educational offerings for the staff and serves as a resource to all departments and personnel. Implements policies to protect the healthcare workers, visitors, and others in the healthcare environment and prevent adverse events. Provides internal and external reporting of information and data and promotes compliance with regulations, guidelines, and accreditation requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Monitors healthcare-associated infections and any requisite additional precautions

Assesses infection prevention problems and makes recommendations for corrective action

Prepares the agenda for the infection prevention committee

Monitors infection prevention practices for all departments and personnel

Initiates and reviews infection prevention policies and procedures

Conducts outbreak investigation and initiates control measures

Reports communicable diseases to the state as required by law

Provides educational offerings for orientation and ongoing inservices

Consults with department heads and physicians as needed to improve care

Initiates follow-up on employee/resident exposures to communicable diseases.

Serves as a resource to all departments

Participates in performance improvement activities

Participates in short- and long-range planning for the infection prevention department

Performs other duties as directed

Ensures resident and staff vaccination programs are completed timely

Maintain all aspects of the employee health program are completed and timely

Champion the Antibiotic Stewardship Program

Calculate nosocomial infection rates each month and communicate rates to the Administrator and Director of Nursing

Ensure the surveillance program is completed in a timely manner and maintain records appropriately

Ensure maintenance of the resident health program including but not limited to the tuberculosis testing and the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines

Conduct inservices and competency assessment annually and as indicated

Qualifications:

Holds a current state license as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, or has equivalent healthcare experience

Completion of training on infection prevention

Certification in infection prevention is desired

Ability to teach and evaluate clinical performance