Position Details

• Job Title Shift: 1st Shift
• Job Title Status: Full-Time

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Trust, engagement, competence, respect and passion – these are the values under which North Shore Healthcare operates every day. Our dedicated team of professionals strive to deliver quality care to our residents and their families. We are one of the leading employers and providers of post-acute care in the Midwest and we are seeking exceptional individuals to join our team. If you value being a leader, working in a progressive environment and having opportunities to grow in your career, North Shore Healthcare is the Right Choice for you.

Summary of position

The primary purpose of your job position is toplan, organize, develop, coordinate, and direct our infection prevention andcontrol program and its activities in accordance with current federal, state,and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern such programs, andas may be directed by the Executive Director, the Director of Nursing, and the Infection Prevention and ControlCommittee to ensure that an effective infection prevention and control programis maintained at all times. 

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may bemade to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions.

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, coordinate, anddirect our infection prevention and control program in accordance with currentrules, regulations, and guidelines that govern such requirements in nursingcare facilities.
• Ensure that the facility is in compliance with current CMS, CDC, OSHA,State, and local regulations concerning infection prevention and control.
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update infection preventionand control processes and techniques in accordance with current best practices.
• Review, modify and interpret infection prevention and controlpolicies and procedures as necessary.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the ExecutiveDirector, as necessary/required, concerning the infection prevention andcontrol program of this facility.
• Assist all departments in evaluating and classifying routine andjob-related functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/bodyfluids are properly identified.
• Monitor infection prevention and control practices and proceduresto ensure that all personnel are implementing our standard operating proceduresfor 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 standard andtransmission-based and enhanced barrier precautions/practices..
• Ensure that laboratory support is available, includingmicrobiological and serological services.
• Review and analyze infectious disease laboratory reports andconsult with the Director of Nursing in developing the care plan for assuringthat aseptic techniques are implemented.
• Ensure that all personnel follow established procedures for thedisposal and removal of biohazardous and contaminated materials from thefacility.
• Prepare monthly summaries of all resident/personnel infections,corrective action taken, and the results of the corrective action. Submitcopies to the Executive Director and Director of Nursing.
• Prepare summaries of special investigations on the occurrence ofhealthcare- and community-acquired infections.
• Prepare summaries of data gathered in support of the facilityAntibiotic Stewardship Program, including number of antibiotic starts and daysof use, and laboratory culture and sensitivity reports.
• Provide the Director of Nursing Services with a report ofpertinent findings and recommendations pertaining to communicable diseases,healthcare-associated infections and antibiotic stewardship.
• Maintain a written record of all residents and employees withcommunity- or healthcare associated infections.
• Monitor and address possible sources of infection within thefacility, including personnel, visitors, residents, and the environment.
• Assist in developing infection prevention and control proceduresfor the handling of clean and soiled laundry/linen, equipment cleaning, etc.
• Assist in developing infection prevention and control proceduresfor the routine and terminal cleaning of rooms and common areas, equipmentcleaning, etc.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorizedgovernment agencies as necessary or as may be directed.
• Assist in developing and implementing discharge plans for theresident on transmission-based precautions or an active communicable infection.
• Assist in maintaining the Respiratory Protection Program asrequired.
• Assist in the development and implementation of a facility-wide TBmanagement control program.
• Report all reportable diseases to the county and state healthdepartments.
• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms,reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.
• Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password foraccessing resident/facility information and promptly report suspected or knownviolations of such disclosure to the Executive Director.
• Agree not to disclose resident’s protected health information andpromptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to theExecutive Director.
• Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to accessfacility’s information system.
• Serve on, participate in, and attend Infection Prevention andControl Committee meetings.
• Represent the Infection Prevention and Control Committee asrequired during QAPI and other meetings as necessary.
• Provide employee orientation, training, and counseling as outlinedin our infection prevention and control and employee health programs.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectiousmaterials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility’s policiesand procedures governing accidents and incidents.
• Meet with the staff to assist in identifying and correctingproblem areas, and/or the improvement of services, as necessary.
• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with all departmentdirectors and personnel to ensure that infection prevention and controlservices and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of theresidents.
• Maintain an excellent working relationship with independentpractitioners and other health related facilities and organizations
• Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the ExecutiveDirector.
• Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended areproperly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activateswithin established facility policy guidelines.
• Ensure that residents with known communicable or infectiousdiseases are placed on appropriate transmission-based precautions.
• Meet with residents or family members and explain standard, transmission, or enhanced barrier precautions as necessary.
• Make rounds with physicians and other healthcare practitioners asnecessary.
• Obtain culture samples in accordance with our established procedures.
• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.
• Participates in the general orientation programthat orients the new employee to our infection prevention and control andemployee health programs.
• Provide leadership training that includes the administrative andsupervisory principles essential for Nurse Supervisors/Charge Nurses.
• Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designedto keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain yourlicense on a current status.
• Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potentialexposure to blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in-service trainingprograms
• Ensure that adequate supplies of personal protective equipment areon hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures thatinvolve exposure to blood or body fluids.
• Assist in developing policies and procedures in the handling anddisposal of needles and other sharp instruments.
• Recommend to the Director of Nursing the equipment and supplyneeds for maintaining an effective infection prevention and control program.
• Ensure that a stock level of personal protective equipment ismaintained on premises at all times to adequately meet the needs of theresident.
• Assist with fit testing of N95 respirators for employees withmedical clearance.
• Assist the Director of Nursing in preparing the budget for thedepartment in relation to its infection prevention and control program andactivities.
• Assess and/or evaluate new or improved resident care products orprocedures.
• Provide counseling for employee testing mandate required for HBVand TB exposure and maintain in confidential manner.
• Maintain resident/employee exposure reports in a confidentialmanner.

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive benefit packages which includes:

• Health insurance for full-time employees starting the first of the month following 30 days of employment
• Dental and vision insurance for full and part-time staff
• 401(K) Program for full and part-time staff
• 6 paid holidays plus one floating holiday for full-time staff
• Company paid life insurance for full-time staff
• Voluntary life and disability insurance for full-time staff
• Paid Time Off

Our mission is to establish a culture that reinforces the values necessary to be the premier health services provider and employer in each of the communities we serve. We understand that choosing where you want to go in your career is a big decision. We would like the opportunity to show you that North Shore Healthcare is the Right Choice for you.