Infection Control Nurse (RN or LPN)

SUMMARY: The Infection Control Nurse is responsible for the Infection Control Program. Performs evaluation of quality of resident care as it relates to healthcare–associated infections. Prepares, analyzes, collects and presents healthcare–associated infection data making recommendations for actions. Implements policies and maintains compliance to protect healthcare workers, visitors, and others from adverse events. Provides internal and external reporting promoting compliance with regulations, guidelines, and accreditation requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor the documentation of incidents of infection and file for reporting and analysis
• Address patterns or trends in the incidents of infection with appropriate follow-up and corrective action
• Supervise the performance of the corrective procedures by departments and individual staff
• Ensures resident and staff vaccination programs are completed timely
• 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
• Initiates follow-up on employee/resident exposures to communicable diseases.
• Serves as a resource to all departments
• Participates in performance improvement activities
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• LPN/RN with current unencumbered state licensure.
• Must have current CPR certification.
• Must have, as a minimum, two (2) years of experience as an LPN/RN
• Completion of training on infection prevention. Certification is desired
• Ability to teach and evaluate clinical performance

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of this position.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull move and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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