INFECTION PREVENTIONIST

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary purpose of the Infection Preventionist will be to assist in the planning, development, organizing, implementing and directing of the facility’s infection control program and its activities in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations. In addition, the Infection Preventionist will be responsible for Administrative duties as assigned by the Director of Nursing. The Infection Preventionist will work under the direction of and in coordination with the Director of Nursing at all times to ensure that the facility maintains compliance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Infection Control/Administrative Functions

• Assist in the planning, development, organization, implementation, evaluation, coordination and direction of the facility’s infection control program. This includes but is not limited to the education of the facility, documentation, reporting, development and review of policies and procedures.
• Continuously seek a proactive approach using benchmarking techniques in all activities, this includes but is not limited to education programs, infection control precautions, aseptic techniques and data collection.
• 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.
• Review and analyze infectious disease laboratory reports and consult with the ADON and pharmacist in developing the care plan for treatment and management of resident conditions.
• Develop, plan, organize, evaluate and implementing guidelines and procedures for the decontamination and sterilization activities performed in the facility.
• Assist in developing policies and procedures for handling and disposal of hazardous materials, including sharps. Help to ensure that all personnel follow established procedures.
• Prepare reports and summaries of investigations on the occurrence of nosocomial and community-acquired infections using the Infection Incident Action Report or other acceptable reporting tools. Report pertinent findings and recommendations to the ADON, pharmacist, and Administrator.
• Conduct surveillance, accurate metrics and documentation of all infections, infections diseases and antibiotic use and develop reports for submission to the Infection Control Committee and QAPI Committee. Maintain and track SBAR forms to ensure follow through with infection management and antibiotic stewardship. Always seek to use a proactive approach in all areas of concern to resolve issues.
• Coordinate the influenza vaccine and other vaccinations as required for residents and staff. Compile information for reporting influenza outbreaks to the Department of Health.
• Report all reportable diseases to the county and state health departments. Submit catheter data to state Department of Health.
• Plan, develop, direct, implement, evaluate, conduct and coordinate in-service and on the job training programs related to infection control and safety topics/issues and the facilities policies and procedures related to such.
• Participate in the planning and conducting of orientation programs that orient newly hired employees and all employees at annual Mandatory Inservice to the facilities policies and procedures related to infection control, personal hygiene, handwashing techniques in conjunction with staff development.
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate and direct annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs for hazard communications, TB management, and bloodborne pathogens throughout the facility, and for those required to perform such tasks.
• Risk Management Review to ensure thorough investigations were completed.
• Coordinate, develop, implement and review new and existing policy and procedures of the Nursing Department.
• Resident chart auditing as necessary to ensure thorough, accurate and complete documentation.

Committee Functions

• Serve on, participate in, and attend meetings of Safety Committee, the Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement Committee, and various committees of the facility as required by existing regulations and as appointed by the DON, ADON or Administrator.
• Coordinate, plan and chair the Policy and Procedure Committee to be held quarterly and as needed.

Personnel Functions

• Provide personnel with information concerning the facility’s policies governing hepatitis B, TB, and influenza vaccinations.

Nursing Care and Consultation Functions

• Ensure that all nursing service personnel follow established isolation precautions and aseptic technique to include standard precautions.
• Ensure adequate set-up of PPE stations for isolation rooms.
• Ensure letters of notice of infection are sent to representatives.
• Provide Direct Care as required.

Equipment/Supply/Budgeting Functions

• Help to ensure that required serviceable equipment and knowledgeable operators are available to present special in-service material as directed.  Ensure adequate set-up of PPE stations for isolation rooms.

Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement

• Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned or that may become necessary. 
• Make rounds to nursing units for the purpose of case findings, review of environmental sanitation procedures, and supervision of isolation precautions/practices.
• Track all resident/personnel infections, corrective action taken, and the results of the SBAR corrective action on a monthly basis.  Submit monthly summaries to the Administrator, DON, and QAPI Director.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
• Monitor medication passes and treatments to ensure that appropriate handwashing techniques are being followed in the handling and administering of drugs, medications, and treatments.
• Assist in the production of departmental reports quarterly, monthly, and annually.
• Participate in QAPI quarterly meetings and assigned projects. 
• Conduct audits to ensure staff compliance to infection control practices.
• Make recommendations to Administration, ADON and DON regarding identified problems with infection control issues.

General

• Respond to fire alarms as required (refer to Fire Safety Manual for employees’ responsibilities) Treat all residents fairly, with kindness, dignity and respect. Maintain confidentiality of all resident and facility information.
• Report all complaints, concerns made by the resident, allegations of abuse or neglect to direct supervisor or the RN Supervisor.
• Follow all safety procedures and precautions in the performance of your duties and when operating equipment. Report all safety violations, unsafe or hazardous conditions and any equipment issues immediately.
• Review Corporate Compliance educational materials, comply with Corporate Compliance directives, and report any Corporate Compliance issues according to established procedures.
• Other duties as assigned

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Conduct Analysis and formulate conclusions
• Ability to provide care/services in a manner supportive of the Mission and Philosophy of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.
• Identify occurrences, reservoirs, incubation periods, periods of communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and susceptibility associated with the infectious disease process
• Interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests
• Differentiate between colonization and infection
• Differentiate between prophylactic, empiric, and therapeutic uses of antimicrobials
• Foster effective working relationships and build consensus
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Plan, organize, prioritize, work independently, and meet deadlines
• Use judgment and make sound decisions
• Work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education:                                Graduate of an Accredited School of Nursing,

Experience:                             1 year of Nursing Experience, demonstrated knowledge of Infection Control practices preferred      

Certificates & Licenses            Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an LPN or RN in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  May work under a practice permit as allowed by law. Current CPR certification required; Infection Control Preventionist Certification preferred/required within one (1) year

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Not Applicable:  Activity is not applicable to this occupation

Occasionally:     Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0-2.5 hrs/day)

Frequently:        Occupation requires this activity from 33%-66% of the time (2.5 – 5.5 hrs/day)

Constantly:        Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5 hrs/day)

SUPPORT OF MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY

By accepting employment with Garvey Manor and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Residence, each employee must agree to foster an atmosphere which reflects the Mission and Philosophy of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, incorporating the Philosophy Values into daily care and/or services as well as into interactions and associations with residents, co-workers, volunteers and guests.