Infection Preventionist

POSITION SUMMARY:
Performs surveillance, analysis, interpretation and reporting of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) and infection prevention education. Writes and updates infection prevention policies and procedures to insure compliance with regulatory standards of The Joint Commission (TJC) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS,) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other nationally organized agencies recommendations and requirements. Is advanced in hospital epidemiology principles. Serves as technical specialist on daily tasks and cases.
Function: Clinical Care Family: Infection Prevention
Level: Registered Nurse (RN) FLSA: Exempt

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum education
Bachelor's Degree (BSN): Preferred
Minimum Work Experience
Two years' experience in acute care setting: Preferred

Required Licenses
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support certification: Preferred

Infection Control Certification: Preferred
Public Health Nursing Credential: Preferred
Refer to the Required Licenses and Certifications list for additional job and/or unit specific requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
1. Responsible for detecting and recording infections on a systematic and current basis in patients, as per the surveillance criteria determined by the Infection Control Committee; this is an oversight of the information gathered by the Infection Control Assistant.(s).
2. Responsible for the oversight of the records of patients who have healthcare-associated or community acquired infections/colonizations as determined by the Infection Control Committee, including required reports to the State of California, (e.g.: NHSN).
3. Responsible for reviewing microbiology and necropsy reports to gather pertinent information for healthcare-associatedl or community acquired infections/colonizations, as assisted by the Infection Control Assistant(s).
4. Analyzes data and provides a monthly report to the Infection Control Committee.
5. Responsible for a quarterly report of selected healthcare-associated infections/colonization.
6. Responsible for completion of audits/reports (e.g.: compliance with the fingernail or hand washing policies/procedures), as assigned by the Nurse Epidemiologist.
7. Conducts epidemiological studies of specific problems as recommended by the Nurse Epidemiologist.
8. Maintains records of environmental/patient culturing or when deemed necessary including upon suspicion of an “outbreak" or "cluster"; this function is with the assistance of the Infection Control Assistant(s) and as directed by the Nurse Epidemiologist.
9. Recommends and establishes procedures for monitoring, identifying, and eliminating infection hazards in the hospital environment, as assigned by the Nurse Epidemiologist.
10. In conjunction with Department Managers, reviews Infection Control Policies/Procedures for each Department at least every three years and revises as necessary, as assigned by the Nurse Epidemiologist.
11. In coordination with the Microbiology Department, reviews microbiological and other pertinent laboratory results, notifying the nursing units instances of communicable disease and infection for which precautions or isolation are indicated.
12. Makes periodic rounds of nursing units and other Departments for the purpose of supervising precautions/isolation procedures.
13. Observes procedures and techniques used in the infection sensitive areas.
14. Oversees the reporting of communicable diseases to the San Joaquin County Public Health Services, in conjunction with the Emergency Department and the Microbiology Department, and as assisted by the Infection Control Assistant(s).
15. Notifies Physicians who have inpatients with known exposures to a communicable disease during hospitalization.
16. Demonstrates a good working knowledge of JCAHO, Public Health, State Department of Health Services and OSHA recommendations applied to the Hospital environment.
17. Assists the Occupational Health Services in implementing changes according to JCAHO and OSHA standards as they relate to infection control and employees, as requested by the Nurse Epidemiologist.
18. Acts as a resource for the Occupational Health Services for infection control-related employee health issues, in conjunction with the Nurse Epidemiologist.
19. Notifies the Occupational Health Services Department when follow-up action is needed for personnel who were exposed to patients with a communicable disease in the absence of proper precautions.

20. Assumes the role of the Nurse Epidemiologist in her absence.
21. Assists the Nurse Epidemiologist with in-service training programs related to infection prevention and control for all personnel.
22. Responds to infection control related quality assurance/improvement issues as they arise.

23. Maintains awareness and participates in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) to ensure a safe patient environment.
24. Attends and actively participates in staff meetings.
25. Participates actively in orientation and on-the-job training of assigned personnel.
26. Adheres to all Dameron Hospital Association policies and procedures, safety rules, Joint Commission standards, Department of Health Services (DHS) regulations and any other regulatory agency.
27. Provides methodology for dissemination of information providing opportunities for discussions of Infection Control related problems, and orientation of new projects or procedures, as assigned.
28. Performs all tasks demonstrating service excellence to both staff and customers.
29. Demonstrates, supports and models the mission, vision, values and rules of conduct of Dameron Hospital Association.
30. Communicates appropriately and effectively to support the department mission.

Details: FTE:1.0 (8HR SHIFT) -EXEMPT 

Job Posted On: April 25, 2025 

Salary : $43