Preventionist-Infection RN

POSITION SUMMARY: The Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for the Center's Infection Prevention and Control Program and functions as a practitioner, resource, consultant, educator and facilitator for staff in multiple locations focusing on the following areas:

• Infection Prevention & Control Activities at the center level
• Outcome & Process Surveillance, including identifying, investigating, analyzing, controlling and
  reporting infections
• Outbreak Management
• Employee Health

RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:
1. Orientation:
1.1 Supports Welcoming program/general orientation by providing infection prevention and control training for newly hired employees.
1.2 Reviews the immunization documentation/status for new hires with the center to ensure compliance upon hire.
1.3 Ensures necessary TB screening and documentation is completed per regulatory requirements.
1.4 Ensures Hepatitis B vaccination is offered, and initiated or declination signed, for new hires, within regulatory requirements.

2. Nurse Education:
2.1 Develops and implements education programs in response to identified infection control needs identified through QAPI, rounding, center quality measures, or any other means.
2.2 Teaches staff current accepted patient care and center practices as they relate to infection prevention and control.
2.3 Performs rounds on units to:
2.3.1 Review & monitor infection prevention and control issues.
2.3.2 Monitor/observe infection prevention and control practices to identify educational needs.
2.3.3 Identify environmental issues that could contribute to the spread of infectious diseases and report findings for follow up.
2.3.4 Evaluate compliance with Standard and Transmission based Precautions & provide education regarding appropriate usage when needed.

3. Infection Prevention & Control and Employee Health:
3.1 Develops, implements, monitors, and maintains the IPCP for the center; with the goals of the program being the following:
3.1.1 Ensuring the quality of patient care as it relates to the investigation, control and prevention of infections and communicable diseases within the center.
3.1.2 Preventing the spread of infections and communicable diseases to patients, staff, volunteers, and individuals providing services under a contractual basis.
3.1.3 Minimizing the risk of infection-related outbreaks within the center.
3.2 Completes surveillance and tracking:
3.2.1 Maintains infection prevention and control records per policy and regulatory requirements.
3.2.2 Analyzes & identifies and presents center trends/variances and develops plans in conjunction with Center QAPI process.
3.3 Facilitates completion of the Infection Control Risk Assessment of the Center's patient population and center.
3.4 Integrates the Infection Control and Prevention program with the Center's QAPI processes, is a member of all Center's QAPI committee, and regularly reports on the status of the IPCP.
3.5 Oversees/assures implementation and quality of the patient/resident influenza and pneumococcal vaccine programs.
3.6 Supports the center antimicrobial stewardship program that includes antibiotic use and prescribing protocols, laboratory communication, and a system for monitoring antimicrobial use.
3.7 Directs implementation of Infection Control and Prevention policies and procedures and facilitates review and update of the program at least annually.
3.8 Provides oversight to Employee Health Program to include:
3.8.1 Tracking of TST administration and interpretation and/or IGRA blood tests for Tuberculosis screening, Hepatitis B vaccine series administration, and regulatory
documentation for employees;
3.8.2 Training/Competency testing of licensed nurses upon hire and annually, who administer and record, in mm of induration, the results of Tuberculin skin tests;
3.8.3 Oversight of Universal Influenza program & tracking of influenza immunizations for employees.
3.9 Reviews "Initial Health Survey" completed by new employees and requests appropriate documentation.
3.10 Consults with employee and their supervisor when a n employee with a communicable disease or infected skin lesion must be prohibited from direct contact with patients or their food.

4. Puts Customer Service First: Ensures that patients and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere which recognizes the individuals' needs and rights;

5. Performs other duties as requested.

COMPLIANCE:
1. Complies with applicable legal requirements, standards, policies and procedures including, but not limited to, those within the Compliance and Ethics Program, Standard/Code of Conduct, Federal False Claims Act and HIPAA.
2. Participates in required orientation and training programs.
3. Promptly reports concerns and suspected incidences o f non-compliance to supervisor, Compliance Liaison or to the Compliance Officer via the Integrity Hotline.
4. Cooperates with monitoring and audit functions and investigations.
5. Participates, as requested, in quality assurance and process improvement activities.

SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. The Infection Preventionist must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing with current registered nurse licensure by the State Board of Nursing.
2. RN, Bachelor's Degree preferred.
3. Must complete specialized training in infection prevention and control within 90 days of hire.
4. A minimum of three years full-time or equivalent pursing experience is required and a minimum of two years of nursing experience in long-term care nursing with one year in a management/administrative or supervisory capacity is preferred.
5. Previous experience in infection prevention and control is preferred.
6. Must be able to work flexible hours in order to meet with employees working evening and night shifts.
7. Must work at least part-time at the center.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
(1) Physical Demands:
Reaching (overhead) - yes
Handling - yes
Fingering - yes
Feeling - yes
Talking or Hearing - yes
Seeing - yes

Standing - 34-66%
Walking - 34-66%
Sitting - 0-33%

The following weight specifications apply to Centers with a Safe Resident Handling Program in place.

Pulling - 75lbs
Lifting - 75lbs
Carrying - <50lbs
Pushing - 75lbs

Climbing (stairs) - yes
Balancing - yes
Stooping - yes
Kneeling - yes
Crouching - yes
Crawling - no
Twisting - yes

(2) Location of Job Activities:
Outside - 0%
Inside - 100%

(3) Environmental Conditions:
Extreme heat with or without temperature changes - no
Extreme cold with or without temperature changes - no
Wet or humid - no
Noise and/or vibrations - yes
Hazards (chemical, mechanical, radiant energy) - no
Explosives, burns, electrical, other Atmospheric conditions - no
Fumes, poor ventilation, mists, dust, odors, gas - yes
Unprotected heights - no
Moving machinery - no
Operating automotive equipment - no
Operating foot controls - no
Uneven ground - no
Protective clothing (gowns, masks, gloves in accordance with policy) - yes

Work Situations:
Measurable or verifiable criteria - yes
Dealing with people - yes
Repetitive and continuous - yes
Performing under stress - yes
Set limits, tolerance or standards - yes
Problem solving - yes
Comparing - yes
Taking instructions - yes

JOB SKILLS:
1. Must have thorough understanding of scope of practice for both Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses.
2. Must have thorough knowledge of nursing theory, techniques and practices.
3. Must have good verbal and communication skills with the ability to demonstrate organizational and educational skills.
4. Must be able to analyze, organize, and respond to infection control data.
5. Must have basic computer skills.
6. Must provide verification of a negative TB skin or blood test per state requirements.

PERFORMS RELATED DUTIES:
1. The Infection Preventionist interacts with patients, families, visitors, center and Genesis subsidiary personnel.
2. He/She carries out other tasks as requested in situations where hands-on intervention/participation may be required.

If you are under 18 years of age, there may be some essential functions of the job which you are restricted from performing due to regulatory requirements.