Infection Preventionist - Full-Time 1St Shift

Position Details

• Job Title Shift: 1st Shift

• Job Title Status: Full-Time

#LI-MS1

Trust, engagement, competence, respect and passion - these are the values under which North Shore Healthcare operates every day. Our dedicated team of professionals strive to deliver quality care to our residents and their families. We are one of the leading employers and providers of post-acute care in the Midwest and we are seeking exceptional individuals to join our team. If you value being a leader, working in a progressive environment and having opportunities to grow in your career, North Shore Healthcare is the Right Choice for you.

Summary of position

The primary purpose of your job position is to plan, organize, develop, coordinate, and direct our infection prevention and 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 Executive Director, the Director of Nursing, and the Infection Prevention and Control Committee to ensure that an effective infection prevention and control program is maintained at all times.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, coordinate, and direct our infection prevention and control program in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern such requirements in nursing care facilities.

• Ensure that the facility is in compliance with current CMS, CDC, OSHA, State, and local regulations concerning infection prevention and control.

• Develop, maintain, and periodically update infection prevention and control processes and techniques in accordance with current best practices.

• Review, modify and interpret infection prevention and control policies and procedures as necessary.

• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Executive Director, as necessary/required, concerning the infection prevention and control program of this facility.

• 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.

• Monitor infection prevention and control practices and procedures to ensure that all personnel are implementing our standard operating procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.

• Make rounds to nursing units for the purpose of case findings, review of environmental sanitation procedures, and supervision of standard and transmission-based and enhanced barrier precautions/practices..

• Ensure that laboratory support is available, including microbiological and serological services.

• Review and analyze infectious disease laboratory reports and consult with the Director of Nursing in developing the care plan for assuring that aseptic techniques are implemented.

• Ensure that all personnel follow established procedures for the disposal and removal of biohazardous and contaminated materials from the facility.

• Prepare monthly summaries of all resident/personnel infections, corrective action taken, and the results of the corrective action. Submit copies to the Executive Director and Director of Nursing.

• Prepare summaries of special investigations on the occurrence of healthcare- and community-acquired infections.

• Prepare summaries of data gathered in support of the facility Antibiotic Stewardship Program, including number of antibiotic starts and days of use, and laboratory culture and sensitivity reports.

• Provide the Director of Nursing Services with a report of pertinent findings and recommendations pertaining to communicable diseases, healthcare-associated infections and antibiotic stewardship.

• Maintain a written record of all residents and employees with community- or healthcare associated infections.

• Monitor and address possible sources of infection within the facility, including personnel, visitors, residents, and the environment.

• Assist in developing infection prevention and control procedures for the handling of clean and soiled laundry/linen, equipment cleaning, etc.

• Assist in developing infection prevention and control procedures for the routine and terminal cleaning of rooms and common areas, equipment cleaning, etc.

• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be directed.

• Assist in developing and implementing discharge plans for the resident on transmission-based precautions or an active communicable infection.

• Assist in maintaining the Respiratory Protection Program as required.

• Assist in the development and implementation of a facility-wide TB management control program.

• Report all reportable diseases to the county and state health departments.

• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary.

• Agree not to disclose assigned user ID code and password for accessing resident/facility information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Executive Director.

• Agree not to disclose resident's protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Executive Director.

• Report any known or suspected unauthorized attempt to access facility's information system.

• Serve on, participate in, and attend Infection Prevention and Control Committee meetings.

• Represent the Infection Prevention and Control Committee as required during QAPI and other meetings as necessary.

• Provide employee orientation, training, and counseling as outlined in our infection prevention and control and employee health programs.

• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

• Meet with the staff to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services, as necessary.

• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with all department directors and personnel to ensure that infection prevention and control services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

• Maintain an excellent working relationship with independent practitioners and other health related facilities and organizations

• Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Executive Director.

• Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

• Ensure that residents with known communicable or infectious diseases are placed on appropriate transmission-based precautions.

• Meet with residents or family members and explain standard, transmission, or enhanced barrier precautions as necessary.

• Make rounds with physicians and other healthcare practitioners as necessary.

• Obtain culture samples in accordance with our established procedures.

• Provide direct nursing care as necessary.

• Participates in the general orientation program that orients the new employee to our infection prevention and control and employee health programs.

• Provide leadership training that includes the administrative and supervisory principles essential for Nurse Supervisors/Charge Nurses.

• Attend and participate in continuing educational programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status.

• Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs

• Ensure that adequate supplies of personal protective equipment are on hand and are readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids.

• Assist in developing policies and procedures in the handling and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments.

• Recommend to the Director of Nursing the equipment and supply needs for maintaining an effective infection prevention and control program.

• Ensure that a stock level of personal protective equipment is maintained on premises at all times to adequately meet the needs of the resident.

• Assist with fit testing of N95 respirators for employees with medical clearance.

• Assist the Director of Nursing in preparing the budget for the department in relation to its infection prevention and control program and activities.

• Assess and/or evaluate new or improved resident care products or procedures.

• Provide counseling for employee testing mandate required for HBV and TB exposure and maintain in confidential manner.

• Maintain resident/employee exposure reports in a confidential manner.

Required Education and Experience

• Current RN license with the state

• At least 3 years of demonstrated success in Nursing leadership position.

• Must have good financial and management skills. Must be able to adapt to a flexible work schedule and occasional overnight travel. Ability to relate positively, effectively and appropriately with residents, families, community members, volunteers and other facility staff. Possess special interest in, and a positive attitude about, working with long-term care residents and the elderly. Ability to read, write, speak and understand English. Meets all health requirements, as required by law. Demonstrates basic computer knowledge and ability with an aptitude to learn company applications.

• Computer proficiency with Microsoft products

• Must have completed specialized training in infection prevention and control.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in a fast-paced environment

• Post-acute care or health care experience preferred

• Experience in a fast-paced environment

Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive benefit packages which includes:

• Health insurance for full-time employees starting the first of the month following 30 days of employment

• Dental and vision insurance for full and part-time staff

• 401(K) Program for full and part-time staff

• 6 paid holidays plus one floating holiday for full-time staff

• Company paid life insurance for full-time staff

• Voluntary life and disability insurance for full-time staff

• Paid Time Off

Our mission is to establish a culture that reinforces the values necessary to be the premier health services provider and employer in each of the communities we serve. We understand that choosing where you want to go in your career is a big decision. We would like the opportunity to show you that North Shore Healthcare is the Right Choice for you.