• Eliminating infection risks to residents and personnel through surveillance of multiple activities and practices;
• Teaching information pertinent to infection control and isolation to all involved associates;
• Implementing monitoring and surveillance programs in an effort to identify and reduce infection hazards in the facility.

Minimum Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current state license.
• Organized and detailed in work performance.
• Certification as an Infection Preventionist.
• Good communication skills with excellent self-discipline and patience.
• Genuine caring for and interest in elderly and disabled people in a nursing facility.
• Comply with the Residents' Rights and Facility Policies and Procedures.
• Perform work tasks within the physical demand requirements as outlined below.
• Perform Essential Duties as outlined above.

Essential Job Functions

• Inform DON, Medical Director and the Infection Control Committee of problems and progress in preventing and controlling infections.
• Advise facility personnel of isolation policy for disease-specific precautions for residents with infection
• Act as a liaison with the local health department in reporting infectious diseases in the facility and make recommendations to the Infection Control Committee
• Maintain close communication with all supervisors and nurses and verify that he/she is the primary focal point for accumulation of information related to possible communicable disease present when a resident is admitted or infection is acquired in the facility.
• Review all infections acquired and nosocomial infections monthly and quarterly.
• Investigate unusual epidemics, clusters of infections and/or infections due to unusual pathogens.
• Make facility rounds to verify techniques and procedures are performed in accordance with standards set by the QA committee according to the Infection Control Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Train facility personnel to complete Infection Surveillance Reports and supervise follow-up activities
• Assist with programs regarding infection control and prevention
• Assist in the development and/or implementation of infection control measures
• Attend the Infection Control Committee/QA Committee meetings and coordinate the implementation of committee recommendations
• Compile data related to the facility infections according to the Infection Control Policy and Procedure and report to the Infection Control Committee.
• May be assigned to work as Charge Nurses, if necessary.

Other Duties

• Attend in-service education programs in order to meet facility educational requirements.
• Be familiar with Standard Precautions, Exposure Control Plan, Fire Drill & Evacuation Procedures and know how to use the information.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident and facility records/information.
• Protect residents from neglect, mistreatment, and abuse.
• Protect the personal property of the residents of the facility.
• Others as directed by the supervisor or administrator.