Infection Preventionist Full Time

Position Summary and Job Duties

Responsibilities include collecting, analyzing, and providing infection data and trends to nursing staff and health care practitioners; consulting on infection risk assessment, prevention, and control strategies; providing education and training; and implementing evidence-based infection control practices.
Coordinates the care and services provided to residents living at Rock Haven. Practices within State and Federal guidelines to ensure the appropriate delivery of care is being provided. Assists the Director of Nurses in planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operation of the nursing department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern the facility. Provides weekend coverage for the entire facility as needed (this position is in a weekend rotation with nurse management).

60% – Infection Preventionist (IP)

• The Infection Preventionist will oversee the Infection Prevention and Control Program.
• Will ensure that surveillance/monitoring/line listing/care planning of disease is occurring throughout the building.
• Will identify the staff’s roles and responsibilities for the routine implementation of the program, as well as in the case of an outbreak of communicable disease, an episode of infection, or the threat of a bio-hazard attack.
• Will ensure that initial and ongoing infection control education is completed for all staff.
• Will collaborate with the public health nurse for all reporting situations.
• Will participate in the review and development of policy, such as written standards, policies, and procedures.
• The IP will participate in conducting the annual review of the Infection Prevention and Control Program and update the program to meet current federal regulations.
• Monitors and investigates known or suspected sources of infections to determine the source and ensure control.
• Reports infection surveillance, prevention, and control information to local, state, and federal public health authorities in accordance with law and regulation.
• Audit routinely that all residents and staff are update to date on required immunizations.
• Organize and participate in employee and resident vaccination clinics.

10% – Administrative Functions

• Communicates shifts and concerns by unit to appropriate staff (e-mails, voice mail, etc).
• Serves as the administrative authority for the smooth function of the assigned unit.
• Notifies Administrator, DON, or ADON of urgent concerns during the shift. (When the concern is non-urgent, notify the manager by phone message or e-mail.
• Performs rounds at least twice each shift to monitor the conditions and care of acutely ill residents/clients on scheduled weekends.
• Receives reports throughout the shift on scheduled weekends.
• Assists RNs in assessing residents who are experiencing acute changes on scheduled weekends.
• Provides clinical expertise in the management of medical and psychiatric emergencies on scheduled weekends.
• Responds to Code Blue, Medical Assist, and Code Green situations. Assists staff as needed.
• Provides clinical expertise in medical management, crisis, and behavior management techniques.
• Supervises staff and assures survey compliance daily. Provides guidance and support to staff to better plan workflow on scheduled weekends.
• Initiates investigations for all alleged incidents of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident belongings. Maintains administrative records.
• Audits charts routinely. Provides clinical expertise in documentation, including MDS, Medicare PPS, acute illness charting, weekly summaries, and care planning.
• Oversees and tracks compliance with resident and employee vaccinations.

10% – Quality Assurance and Regulatory compliance

• Meets routinely with the nurse manager group and the interdisciplinary teams.
• Represents nursing on the Rock Haven Quality Assurance Committee.
• Assists with the development and implementation of Nursing Policies and Procedures.
• Directs the nursing department in survey compliance, quality assurance, and staff development activities.
• Reviews injury and risk forms. Assures that preventive measures have been initiated.
• Reviews investigations for all alleged incidents of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident belongings. Maintains administrative records. Reports to the State per regulation.
• Receives employee, resident, and family grievances. Refers information to the appropriate supervisor. Works with NHA to ensure that grievances are resolved.
• Directs staff response to emergencies such as severe weather, fire, or bomb scare. Participates in fire drills. Directs disaster evacuation plan as needed.
• Participate in the following: QAPI, Behavior meeting, Care conferences.

10% – Professional Clinical guidance:

• Serves as a professional role model.
• Collaborates with resident care staff at all levels in the development, implementation, and evaluation of resident care programs.
• Provides clinical expertise in the management of medical, behavioral, and psychiatric emergencies.
• Provides clinical expertise in behavior management techniques.
• Provides clinical expertise in the care of clients with cognitive disabilities.
• Assures that appropriate standards are implemented and maintained by all clinical units.
• Monitors and evaluates care delivered on a direct and indirect basis.
• Demonstrates and maintains competence with State and Federal nursing home regulations.
• Demonstrates and maintains competence with the Medicare and Medicaid regulations.
• Provides clinical expertise and management of wound rounds weekly or as needed in collaboration with unit managers.

5% – Public Relations

• Provides tours of the facility to families.
• Complete referral forms for any inquiries/tours. Reviews all referrals to determine medical and nursing needs.
• Referral visits to assess the needs of new admissions with complex needs.
• Represents the facility at community events.
• Collaborates with appropriate community and governmental policy-making bodies.

5% – Performs related work as required.

Success Factors (KSAs)

• Current theory is based in medical, geriatric, and psychiatric nursing
• Current knowledge of State and Federal nursing home and ICF regulations.
• Computer skills, including e-mail, word processing, work scheduling system, and Melyx.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise reports.
• Knowledge of the needs of client populations and treatment sources.
• Ability to plan, assign, and direct the work of others.
• Ability to read, write, and speak effectively and to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret practice standards, professional journals, technical procedures, and government standards and regulations.
• Ability to solve complex problems and deal with a variety of issues.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, employees, residents, families, professionals, and the general public
• Ability to work well as a team leader/member.
• Skill in reviewing the clinical work of others according to professional standards and practice guidelines.
• The IP must maintain current knowledge in the field of infectious disease and epidemiology.

Job Requirements, Education, Training & Experience

• Registered Professional Nurse with current Wisconsin Licensure in good standing.
• Supervisory experience as a Head Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, or Director of Nurses.
• Work experience as a professional nurse, preferably in related fields (long-term care, medical-surgical nursing, mental health, or nursing supervision).
• AED/CPR Certification
• Skill with Microsoft Office, MDS software, Email, and scheduling software.
• The IP is qualified by education, training, experience, or certification. Also works at least part-time at the facility and has completed specialized training in infection prevention and control.
• May need to stay past the normal shift until relieved in order to meet minimal staffing requirements. May have to work outside of normal hours, i.e., nights and weekends.

Essential Job Functions (physical elements, equipment, and working conditions)

• Ability to sit, stand, bend, and stoop for periods of time.
• Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally.
• Ability to push/pull a medication cart.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment.
• Ability to respond to emergencies/crises
• Noise exposure.
• Exposure to blood and/or body fluids.
• Uses personal protective equipment as needed, but not limited to: gloves, gowns, goggles, and protective shield.
• Ability to enter accurate information into charts and reports.
• Work is inside a skilled nursing home facility.
• May be subject to potentially hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, visitors, etc.
• May be subject to falls, burns, odors, etc., throughout the workday.
• May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, blood, body fluids, conditions, etc
• Maintain prompt and consistent attendance.