Infection Prevention Nurse

JOB SUMMARY:  Assists Solheim Senior Community (“Solheim”) to the success of Solheim by effectively

       planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing the Infection Control program and its

      activities in accordance with current Federal, State, and local standards, guidelines, and

      regulations that govern such programs, and as may be directed by the Administrator and

      the Infection Control Committee to ensure that an effective infection control program is

      maintained at all times.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

     
Administrative and Surveillance Functions.

1. Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, coordinate, and direct our infection control program in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern such requirements in nursing care facilities.
2. Ensure that the facility is in compliance with current CDC, OSHA, and local regulations concerning infection control or standard/universal precautions.
3. Develop, maintain, and periodically update infection control precautions and aseptic technique that successfully correct problem areas.
4. Assist all departments in evaluating and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified. 
5. Assist the supervisor of laundry department in developing infection control procedures for the handling of clean and soiled laundry/linen, equipment cleaning, etc.
6. Assist in the development and implementation of facility-wide TB management control program, COVID-19 Mitigation Plan and Flu Prevention program.
7. Report all reportable diseases to the county and state health departments.
8. 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.
9. Make rounds to nursing units for the purpose of case findings, review of environmental sanitation procedures, and supervision of isolation precautions/practices.
10. Visit isolated residents as necessary to ensure that established isolation precautions and aseptic technique are followed.
11. Ensure that laboratory support is available, including microbiological and serological services.
12. Ensure that all personnel follow established procedures for the disposal and removal of infective and contaminated materials from the facility.
13. Maintain a written record of all residents and employees who have nosocomial infections.
14. Serve on, participate in, and attend Infection Control Committee meetings and QAPI meetings.
15. Assist the Infection Control Committee in evaluating and revising Infection Control practices and aseptic technique to ensure continued sanitation practices are maintained throughout the facility.
16. Provide the Infection Control Committee with written and oral reports concerning all facility acquired and community acquired infections.
17. Ensure that major changes in our cleaning products or techniques are approved by the Infection Control Committee.
18. Assist in establishing the TB Mantoux testing and recordkeeping protocols for all employees.
19. Orient new employees to the importance of infection control policies and procedures, personal hygiene, handwashing/hand hygiene techniques, etc., as well as the employee’s responsibility in following our established procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.
20. Provide staff education concerning Infection Prevention.
21. Ensure that residents with known communicable or infectious diseases are placed in isolation or infection control precautions to include standard/universal precautions.
22. Review nurses’ notes of those residents in/on isolation precautions to ensure that they are informative and descriptive of the nursing care being provided and that they reflect the resident’s response to the care.
23. Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to adapt to the changes in Infection Prevention practice.

      Resident/Family/Guest /Staff Relations:

1. Report issues of security, health and/or safety to appropriate supervisor as soon as practicable.
2. Ensures resident rights are preserved. Adhere to confidentiality, privacy and dignity expectations, including HIPAA rules.
3. Maintains effective listening and communication skills with residents, family, co-workers, physicians, ancillary and clinical service providers and vendors.
4. Attend to residents, family and responsible parties in a responsible and pro-active manner, addressing concerns and requests in a timely manner. Utilize active listening skills, positive body language and demonstrate a positive attitude.
5. Demonstrate good judgment, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
6. Effectively partner and communicate issues, needs and concerns to Supervisors; appropriately utilize the chain of command.
7. Immediately report concerns related to Theft or Loss through the appropriate chain of command.

      Regulatory Compliance:

1. Follows established policies, procedures. Understands and complies with all regulatory standards set forth by governing entities.
2. Maintains Resident/Family confidentiality and privacy in accordance with HIPAA regulations, adheres to the Compliance Plan and Solheim’s policies and procedures.

      Administrative Compliance:

1. Adheres to payroll policies and properly uses timekeeping system with minimal manual changes.
2. Maintains regular and consistent attendance. Maintains compliance with employee handbook rules.
3. Adheres to Compliance Plan and HIPAA regulations.
4. Maintains compliance with MSDS, personal protective equipment use and Solheim safety procedures.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

            EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Graduate of an accredited nursing school and currently licensed as an LVN in California
• Minimum of 1 to 2 years’ experience preferred
• Infection Preventionist Certification

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY:

• Desire and ability to work with ill, aged and disabled persons.
• Willingness and ability to read, write, speak, understand English and have the communications skills necessary to provide accurate information to residents and staff.
• Willingness and ability to follow written and verbal direction in English.
• Willingness and ability to maintain appropriate level of confidentiality and privacy.
• Willingness and ability to interact professionally with all customers, including the ill, aged, disabled persons and co-workers, individually and as part of a team.
• Willingness and ability to effectively handle multiple items/tasks as required and adapt favorably to changing priorities.
• Willingness and ability to make appropriate judgments, decisions and problem solving in a timely manner and within the context of the situation at hand.
• Ability to effectively prioritize items/tasks as required.
• Willingness and ability to effectively respond to emergency and/or crisis situations.
• Willingness and ability to take initiative and be a self-starter.
• Willingness and ability to understand and comply with Federal, State, and local regulations.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATE/TRAINING/ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Active LVN License in California
• Infection Preventionist Certification
• BLS / CPR Card
• Fire Card
• Annual PPD
• Annual physical

Salary : $40 - $48