Infection Prevention Nurse

POSITION PURPOSE

Develops, implements, and maintains a facility-wide infection prevention and control program. Responsible for monitoring infection prevention practices, maintaining required documentation, supporting resident safety, and assisting with assigned clinical and administrative responsibilities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications include appropriate professional training in nursing, medical technology/clinical laboratory science, microbiology, epidemiology, pharmacy, or another related healthcare field.

Must meet all applicable state requirements for licensure or certification and have no disciplinary action in effect against the professional license.

Education, training, experience, or certification in infection control and prevention is required. Specialized training in infection prevention and control through accredited continuing education is preferred or required as applicable.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and implements an ongoing infection prevention and control program designed to prevent, recognize, and control the onset and spread of infections.
• Establishes facility-wide systems for the prevention, identification, reporting,

investigation, and control of infections and communicable diseases among residents, staff, and visitors.

• Develops and implements infection prevention and control policies and procedures in accordance with current standards of practice and recognized guidelines.
• Oversees and assists with the facility's antibiotic stewardship program.
• Monitors resident care activities that may increase the risk of infection, including urinary catheter care, wound care, incontinence care, skin care, point-of-care blood testing, and medication injections.
• Leads or participates in the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Committee and develops action plans to address identified areas for improvement.
• Participates in the facility's QAA Committee and performs assigned duties.
• Completes infection control risk assessments and participates in the facility's annual assessment process.
• Reviews and updates the infection prevention and control program, policies, procedures, and standards as needed.
• Provides infection prevention and control education to staff, residents, and families as appropriate.
• Ensures appropriate reporting of reportable diseases to public health authorities. Collaborates with other departments regarding employee health, occupational health, and safety requirements.
• Maintains accurate documentation of infection prevention and control activities. Serves as a resource to staff regarding infection prevention practices and Transmission-based precautions.
• Works with environmental services to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
• Collaborates with community partners and other healthcare facilities to reduce infection transmission during transitions of care.
• Assists with resident admissions, discharges, and resident care as needed.

VA MEDICATION ORDERING

• Responsible for coordinating and completing VA medication ordering for eligible residents.
• Ensures medication orders and refill requests are submitted accurately and in a timely manner.
• Communicates with VA providers, pharmacies, nursing staff, residents, and responsible parties as necessary regarding medication orders.
• Tracks pending VA medication orders and follows up as needed to help prevent interruptions in medication availability.
• Maintains appropriate documentation related to VA medication ordering and communication.

WOUND CARE LOG

• Maintains and updates the facility Wound Care Log.
• Ensures wounds are appropriately tracked and documented according to facility policy.
• Monitors wound documentation for completeness and communicates concerns or

changes to the appropriate nursing staff and/or provider.

• Assists with identifying trends, changes, or concerns related to resident wounds.
• Coordinates with nursing staff to help ensure wound assessments, treatments, and required follow-up are completed and documented.
• Maintains wound-related records in an organized manner for clinical review, quality assurance, and regulatory purposes.

VACCINATION MANAGEMENT & TRACKING

• Responsible for maintaining and keeping current vaccination records for residents and staff as required by facility policy and applicable regulations.
• Tracks vaccination status and identifies residents and staff who are due or eligible for recommended or required vaccinations.
• Coordinates vaccination administration, clinics, consents, and documentation as appropriate.
• Ensures vaccinations are accurately documented in the appropriate medical record, employee record, vaccination log, and/or required reporting system.
• Monitors and follows up on outstanding vaccinations, refusals, contraindications, and required documentation.
• Communicates with residents, responsible parties, staff, providers, pharmacies, and other appropriate healthcare partners regarding vaccination needs.
• Assists with maintaining vaccination records and reports for infection prevention, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance purposes.
• Keeps current with facility vaccination policies and applicable infection prevention requirements.

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNED TASKS

• Treats all residents with dignity and respect and protects residents' rights.
• Adheres to facility policies, procedures, standards of business conduct, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Follow appropriate safety, hygiene, and infection control measures.
• Maintains confidentiality of protected health information in verbal, written, and electronic communications.
• Reports noncompliance, confidentiality concerns, abuse, neglect, exploitation, mistreatment, or other reportable concerns according to facility policy.
• Reports occupational exposures, work-related injuries, and illnesses according to facility procedures.
• Participates in required emergency drills, training, and emergency preparedness activities.
• Completes required training and competency requirements.
• Remains current on developments in infection prevention and control.
• Performs administrative and nursing-related duties as assigned.
• Works independently while effectively organizing, prioritizing, and managing assigned responsibilities.

PERSONAL SKILLS AND TRAITS

The Infection Preventionist should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, sound clinical judgment, effective organizational and time-management skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

The employee must be able to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff, healthcare providers, government agencies, and the public. Intermediate computer skills and the ability to navigate electronic medical record systems and commonly used office programs are required.

COMPLIANCE

Compliance with all facility standards, policies, procedures, infection control requirements, confidentiality requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations is a condition of employment.

This job description describes the general scope of the position and its primary duties and responsibilities. Additional duties that are similar or related to the essential functions of the position may be assigned as necessary. The job description may be reviewed and revised periodically to reflect changes in facility operations, resident needs, and regulatory requirements.

Pay: $29.00 - $31.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $29 - $31