Infection Control Nurse-Administration Nursing - LMC-Full Time

General Statement of Job: This position is responsible for the daily management of the infection prevention, control and employee health program, provides specialized clerical, data abstraction, and entry support for the quality, case management, and clinical education functions.

Essential Functions:

• 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 that adhere to nationally recognized guidelines.
• Develops and implements written policies and procedures in accordance with current standards of practice and recognized guidelines for infection prevention and control. 
  Annually, and as needed, updates and/or reviews the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Plan and policies and procedures, including those pertinent from other
  departments.
• Responsible for the prevention and control of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI), including auditing of adherence to infection prevention, and control policies and procedures.
• Responsible for communicating and collaboration with Antibiotic Stewardship program. Participates in antimicrobial stewardship program efforts to support appropriate antibiotic usage.
• Leads the facility’s Infection and Prevention Control Committee. Develops action plans to address opportunities for improvement.
  Participates on the facility’s QAPI Committee. 
• Implements an annual infection control risk assessment process and participates in the facility’s annual facility assessment review process.
• Provides education related to infection prevention and control principles, policies, and procedures to staff, residents, and families (where appropriate). On orientation and annually for staff and volunteers.
• Meets reporting requirements established by public health at the federal, state and county level, including Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• condition of participation, accreditation standards, Department of Health, and medical/legal items related to infection prevention and control healthcare data and issues.
• Ensure facility data is reported to NHSN in accordance with guidelines.
• Ensures facility vaccination data is reported to state and federal agencies in accordance with current
  recommendations. 
• Submit Influenza data to Department of Health as required during Influenza season.
• 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 and update as needed.

Additional Duties: 

• As part of clinical leadership, maintain 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. • Maintains current infection prevention and control certification and attends educational sessions as needed. 
• 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 need to be placed on isolation 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. 
• Uses proper lifting and body mechanics while delivering care to residents. • Performs administrative duties as assigned.