Infection Preventionist

Infection Preventionist

Job Description

Primary Purpose: The Manager of Safety, Infection Prevention and Control manages the facilities Safety, Infection Prevention and Control Programs to ensure activities are directed toward preventing and decreasing healthcare associated injuries/infections and improving resident and employee safety across the continuum of care. Participates in the DOH, DHS, OSHA, CDC, CMS programs to maintain compliance with regulatory standards.

Where: Honolulu, Hawaii

Essential Duties/Functions:

• Maintains the accuracy and completion of the Facility Risk Assessment. Works with department managers to oversee the implementation of services and programs to mitigate facility risk.
• Ensures the compliance with any required employee/resident testing (i.e., CMS/DOH mandated Covid-19 testing).
• Oversees the completion and implementation of all plans of correction to risk.
• Assist in the implementation and completion of QAPI programs involving employee and resident safety, infection prevention and control.
• Coordinates the employee safety program to ensure a safe working environment.
• Accountable for the annual development, implementation, and evaluation of the Infection Control Plan, formulating prevention goals and objectives, plans, and risk assessment to reduce and control the risk of health care associated infections.
• Collaborates with leadership team to ensure compliance with regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, timely and accurate reporting to Hawaii Department of Health and other external agencies as appropriate.
• Provides strategic support to achieve high level of quality performance through collaboration with subject matter experts, CEO/Administrator/Medical Director, local leaders and regional initiatives.
• Acts as content expert to CEO, senior leaders, resident care leaders and quality improvement leaders to improve resident and employee safety.
• Provides consultation to facility leaders and staff.
• Actively participates in leadership meetings to ensure alignment of priorities and strategies.
• Provides direct supervision dealing with infection control and safety.
• Provides direction through indirect supervision via dotted line relationships to direct care personnel who do not report directly to the Infection Prevention and Control Program.
• Manages work of the department, ensuring that adequate surveillance, oversight, collaboration, and expertise is allocated to the risks identified within the Annual Infection Control Plan, the Resident Safety Plan, and the Board of Directors Performance Review related to the prevention, elimination, and reduction of infections.
• Chairs the Safety and Infection Control Committee with the CEO/Administrator/Medical Director to provide leadership which will ensure surveillance activities and improvement plans are analyzed, implemented, and reported to leadership.
• Works with the HR department on Occupational/Employee Health programs related to workplace exposures from communicable diseases, employee injuries, Worker's Comp.
• Oversees all vaccination and health screening programs (i.e. annual flu shots, employee Hep B, PPDs, etc.)
• Collaborates with Environmental Services, and other Departments to ensure an integrated Environment of Care program.
• Keeps abreast of current scientific literature, recommendations, guidelines, and regulatory requirements which may impact the Infection Prevention and Control Program.
• Promotes, provides education and onboarding, and monitors Safety and Infection Prevention practices, policies and procedures.
• Evaluates and revises Safety and Infection Control policies and procedures according to current standards of practice and evidence-bases recommended by CDC, CMS, OSHA, DOH, DHS, etc.
• Actively participates in Quality Assurance program.
• Attends meetings (Quality Assurance, Stand Up, etc.) as assigned.
• Follows the home's Corporate Compliance program policies; identifies and immediately reports any potential violations of the policy to the Department Manager/Administrator.
• Is a member of the management team with responsibility for general oversight of the organization for:
• efficient use of resources,
• staff fulfillment of their duties and responsibilities,
• staff follow proper work safety standards,
• regulatory compliance,
• quality resident care

• Treats with confidentiality all information obtained; knowledgeable of all practices and policies concerning confidentiality of information.
• Maintains current physical examination and TB clearance per regulation.
• Attends any mandatory training and In-Services.
• Performs other assignments as requested.

Working Conditions:

• Work Area: Well-lighted, well ventilated work unit.
• Equipment: Ability to operate various types of office equipment, such as computer terminals, fax machine, copiers, calculators, telephone, etc.
• Work Hours: Work hours generally Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. May be asked to work other than above shifts as resident care requires. May be asked to provide weekend rotations for emergencies and to cover staffing as needed. May be required to carry a cellular phone.
• Mental Demands: Requires providing professional level of services. Also requires a sincere desire to work with the aged and those with limited capacity for self-care. Subject to frequent interruptions. Exposed to infections, odors, and peculiarities in the behavior of aged residents.
• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, walking and standing within the unit.
• Communication Demands: Requires communicating with all levels of staff, residents and visitors during the shift. Requires proper documentation of care given.

Qualification Requirements:

Skills/knowledge:

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills required.
• Must be organized and able to complete assigned duties under strict time deadlines.
• Must be able to work in a very busy work environment. Subject to frequent interruptions.
• Demonstrates autonomy, organization, assertiveness, flexibility and cooperation in performing job responsibilities.
• Must be able to read and write English to facilitate proper communication with others.
• Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to travel locally.
• Must be proficient with MS office products, such as Word, and Excel.
• Must be of good moral character that:

• Possesses leadership ability, patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, enthusiasm, imagination, and creative ability,
• Is willing to cooperate with other department heads,
• Is able to handle residents based on whatever maturity level they are currently functioning,
• Must possess knowledge of nursing home procedures and social services to be provided in nursing homes.

Education and Training:

• Must possess current Hawaii RN license in good standing. (Will consider non-nurses)
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Current Certification in Infection Control required within one year of hire, if not already certified.

Experience:

• Infection prevention experience in health care facility.
• Previous experience in long term care preferred
• Experience in Quality, Risk, Resident Safety, and Project Management preferred.
• Experience in operational nursing or infection control management preferred.

For more details contact Kyra Rouser at 605-705-4644 or email me at kyra.rouser@gogpac.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.