- Ensure complete and prompt reporting of incidents with follow up as necessary to Administrator and Director of Nursing
- Identifying the staff's roles and responsibilities for the routine implementation of the program as well as in case of an outbreak of a communicable disease, an episode of infection, or the threat of a bio-hazard attack;
- Developing and implementing appropriate infection control policies and procedures, and training staff on them;
- Monitoring and documenting infections, including tracking and analyzing outbreaks of infection as well as implementing and documenting actions to resolve related problems;
- Defining and managing appropriate resident health initiatives, such as:
- The immunization program (influenza, pneumonia, etc); and
- Tuberculosis screening on admission and following the discovery of a new case, and managing active cases consistent with State requirements;
- Acting as a nursing facility liaison to work with local and State health agencies; and
- Managing food safety, including employee health and hygiene, pest control, investigating potential food-borne illnesses, and waste disposal.
- Attending QA meetings and reporting on findings as may be appropriate.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Policies, procedures, and practices which promote consistent adherence to evidence-based infection practices;
- Program oversight including planning, organizing, implementing, operating, facility's interdisciplinary team is involved infection prevention and control;
- Surveillance, including process and outcome surveillance, monitoring, data Federal law and regulation);
- Education, including training in infection prevention and control practices, to ensure compliance with facility requirements as well as State and Federal regulation
- Antibiotic review including reviewing data to monitor the appropriate use of antibiotics in the resident population.
- Undertaking process and/or outcome surveillance activities to identify infections that are causing, or have the potential to cause an outbreak;
- Conducting data analysis to help detect unusual or unexpected outcomes and to determine the effectiveness of infection prevention and control practices;
- Documenting observations related to the causes of infection and/or infection trends; and
- Implementing measures to prevent the transmission of infectious agents and to reduce risks for device and procedure-related infections.
Infection Preventionist - Frenchburg, United States - Edgewood Estates
Description
Infection Preventionist Department Nursing Reports to Director of Nursing Reporting to this position None Job Classification Administrative/Management Position Purpose Develops, implements, and maintains a facility-wide infection prevention and control program.
Required Qualifications
Minimum requirements include one of the following: A professionally-trained nurse that has earned a certificate/diploma or degree in nursing;A professionally-trained medical technologist (or clinical laboratory scientist) that has earned at least an associate's degree in medical technology or clinical laboratory science;A professionally-trained microbiologist that has earned at least a bachelor's degree in microbiology;A professionally-trained epidemiologist that has earned at least a bachelor's degree in epidemiology;Other related fields of training such as physician, pharmacist or physician's assistant.
Must also meet state requirements for relevant licensures or certifications and have no disciplinary action in effect against professional license.
Education, training, experience, or certification in infection control and prevention.Completed specialized training in infection prevention and control through accredited continuing education.
Program Development and Oversight
Program development and oversight will emphasize the prevention and management of infections.
Program oversight involves establishing goals and priorities for the program, planning, and implementing strategies to achieve the goals, monitoring the implementation of the program (including the interdisciplinary team's infection control practices), and responding to errors, problems, or other identified issues.
Additional activities involved in program development and oversight may include but are not limited to:An effective Infection Prevention and Control Program incorporates, but is not limited to,
the following components:
Other Duties Assigned :
(as noted above will include, but not be limited to)
This position will also act as a back up Minimum Data Set (MDS) nurse and will be educated and trained on completing and reporting processes for this position.
Develops and implements an ongoing infection prevention and control program to prevent, recognize, and control the onset and spread of infections in order to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment.
Establishes facility-wide systems for the prevention, identification, reporting, investigation, and control of infections and communicable diseases of residents, staff, and visitors.
Develops and implements written policies and procedures in accordance with current standards of practice and recognized guidelines for infection prevention and control.
Oversees resident care activities that increase risk of infection (i.e., use and care of urinary catheters, wound care, incontinence care, skin care, point-of-care blood testing, and medication injections).
Participates on the facility's QAA Committee. Performs duties as assigned.
Implements an annual infection control risk assessment process and participates in the facility's annual facility assessment review process.
Reviews and/or revises the facility's infection prevention and control program, its standards, policies, and procedures annually and as needed for changes to the facility assessment to ensure they are effective and in accordance with current standards of practice for preventing and controlling infections.
Ensures public health is notified of reportable diseases.
Collaborates with other departments in fulfilling requirements related to occupational health and safety. (I.e. employee health).
Maintains documentation of infection prevention and control program activities.
Additional Assigned Tasks Treats all residents with dignity and respect. Promotes and protects all residents' rights.
Establishes a culture of compliance by adhering to all facility policies and procedures. Complies with standards of business conduct, and state/federal regulations and guidelines.
Follows appropriate safety and hygiene measures at all times to protect residents and themselves.
Maintains confidentiality of protected health information, including verbal, written, and electronic communications.
Reports noncompliance with policies, procedures, regulations, or breaches in confidentiality to appropriate personnel. Reports any retaliation or discrimination to HR or compliance officer.
Reports any allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, exploitation, or mistreatment of residents to supervisor and/or administrator. Protects residents from abuse, and cooperates with all investigations.
Reports any occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and/or hazardous chemicals in accordance with facility policy.
Participates in all life safety and emergency drills and trainings. Fulfills responsibilities as assigned during implementation or activation of the facility's emergency plan.
Reports work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to supervisor.
Follows established infection control policies and procedures.
As a condition of employment, completes all assigned training and skills competency.
Remains current on new developments related to infection prevention and control by attending professional institutions, reading professional journals, attending professional seminars, or reading new laws, rules, and regulations.
Serves as resource for staff regarding infection prevention and control, including the identification of when a resident needs to be placed on transmission-based precautions.
Works with environmental services to prevent cross-contamination in the care environment.Works with community partners and other healthcare facilities to help prevent transmission of infection during care transitions.
Assists with admission, discharge, or care of residents as needed.
Uses proper lifting and body mechanics while delivering care to residents.
Performs administrative duties as assigned.
Reports work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to supervisor. Personal Skills and Traits Desired/Physical Requirements Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work. Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
Must have patience, tact, and willingness to deal with difficult residents, family and staff.
Must be able to relay information concerning a resident's condition.
Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.
Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
Meets general health requirements according to facility policy, including medical and physical exams and checking immunity status to various infectious diseases.
Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary. Ability to assist in evacuation of residents during emergency situations.Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, perform overhead lifting and perform other common physical movements as needed for the position.
May be subject to falls, burns from equipment, and/or odors throughout the day; encounter reactions from dust, tobacco smoke, disinfectants, and other air contaminants.
Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases and/or conditions which include AIDS, Coronavirus, Hepatitis B, and Tuberculosis. May be subject to hostile or emotional residents, family members, visitors or personnel. Ability to work independently, and to organize, plan, and manage time effectively to complete assignments.Knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices, and ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide appropriate care to meet resident needs.
Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to exercise judgement.Strong listening skills and ability to deal with conflict with professionalism and courtesy.
Intermediate computer skills, including ability to create documents in various programs (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Adobe), and navigate electronic medical record systems.
Compliance as a Condition of Employment and Performance Appraisal
Agreement to abide by all standards, policies, and procedures of the facility, including the facility's compliance and ethics program, is a condition of employment.
This job description is intended to convey the general scope of the major duties and responsibilities inherent in this position.
Other tasks not listed here may be assigned if the tasks are similar or related to the essential duties of the position.
Periodic revision may be necessary to reflect changes in expectations placed on the long term care industry by various governmental agencies.
This job description will be reviewed and/or revised annually and as needed.Individual performance will be evaluated using the following scale:
Unsatisfactory:
Achieves results which are far less than the standards identified for the performance factors rated.
Needs Improvement:
Achieves results which are less than the standards identified for the performance factors rated. Exhibits the potential to become a competent performer. May be new to job or need skill development.
Meets Standards:
Achieves results which meet the standards identified for the performance factors rated. This rating is the expected level of performance.
Exceeds Standards:
Achieves results which usually exceed the standards identified for the performance factors rated.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and [insert state civil rights law], it is the policy of [Facility Name] to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.