Infection Preventionist - LPN - Full-Time

Summary/Objective:

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 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.
• Maintain a reference library of written infection prevention and control material that will assist the facility in meeting the infection prevention and control needs of the staff and residents
• 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 precautions/practices.
• Visit residents as necessary to ensure that established standard and transmission-based precautions and aseptic technique are followed.

• 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.
• Assist in developing and implementing guidelines for the decontamination and sterilization activities performed in the facility.
• 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
• Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel.
• 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 and transmission-based 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.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective 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 performing such tasks.

• 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.

Safety

o Knows and follows North Shore HealthCare rules

o Follows North Shore HealthCare dress and hygiene policies

o Demonstrates proper use of equipment

o Reports equipment needs or repairs

o Follows North Shore HealthCare smoking policies

o Reports and documents any incidents or accidents of residents, staff or visitors to the appropriate North Shore HealthCare personnel

o Reports all hazardous conditions/equipment to COO

o Uses required protective equipment (as needed during center visits)

o Follows infection control standards, policies and procedures

o Knows Resident Rights

o Helps the residents/patients exercise and/or protect their rights

o Maintains confidentiality of resident/patient and employee information

o Follows and adheres to North Shore HealthCare’s policies and procedures implementing HIPAA requirements for the privacy and security of protected health information

o Uses and/or discloses only minimum amount of Protected Health Information necessary to complete assigned tasks

o Reports all suspected violation of company’s HIPAA policies or procedures to North Shore HealthCare Vice President of Human Resources

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

The responsibilities of this position may involve significant travel and physical activities including standing, occasional lifting (up to 50 pounds unassisted), bending, stooping, pushing, pulling and twisting. All employees when visiting nursing homes may be required to provide lifting and transfer assistance to residents. Lifting and/or transferring some residents will require use of a lifting device and/or assistance of other staff.

• Current LPN 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

• Experience in a fast-paced environment
• Post-acute care or health care experience preferred
• Experience in a fast-paced environment

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.