Infection Preventionist - SNF Westland House

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Job Description:

Position Summary

Primary purpose of this position is to plan, organize, develop, coordinate and direct the facility 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 directed by the Administrator and the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.

Administrative Functions

*      Plan, develop, implement, evaluate and oversee the infection prevention and control program in accordance with current regulations and guidelines governing skilled nursing facilities.

*      Ensure that the facility is in compliance with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and local regulations concerning infection prevention and control.

*      Monitor and ensure that all nursing services personnel follow established infection prevention and control practices and aseptic techniques when caring for residents.

*      Establish and maintain an infection surveillance program that is based on standardized definitions of infections (McGreers).

*      Establish, implement and monitor data collection tools for process and outcome surveillance.

*      Assist the Director of Environmental Services in developing and implementing guidelines for environmental cleaning and disinfection.

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

*      Review, summarize and report data relative to key infection prevention and control initiatives including antibiotic stewardship, healthcare acquired infections, immunization programs and outbreaks.

*      Conduct special investigations pertaining to new or significant trends in infections or communicable diseases.

*      Present findings from special investigations and make recommendations to the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.

*      Assist the Administrator in preparing the budget for infection prevention and control programs and activities.

*      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.

Duties and Responsibilities

*      Participate in the annual facility assessment.

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

*      Verify that laboratory support is available including microbiological and serological services.

*      Maintain a reference library of infection prevention and control resources.

*      Interpret infection prevention and control policies and procedures as necessary.

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

*      Develop and implement procedures that ensure infection prevention and control supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

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

*      Monitor the designated shelf life of sterilized and packaged supplies; reprocess as necessary.

*      Recommend to the Director of Nursing the equipment and supply needs for the infection prevention and control program and its activities.

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

Committee Functions

*      Serve on, participate in and attend Infection Prevention and Control Committee, Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee and interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings as requested or indicated.

*      Implement recommendations from the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.

Clinical Functions

*      Assist with discharge plans for the resident on transmission-based precautions.

*      Help review potential resident admissions to determine if their needs can be met adequately by the facility.

*      Educate patients and family members on standard and transmission-based precautions.

Duties and Responsibilities

*      Oversee annual education for residents and families about influenza and pneumococcal immunizations.

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

*      Initiate transmission-based precautions for residents with communicable infections.

*      Assist nursing services personnel in performing nursing care procedures as necessary.

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

Personnel Functions

*      Develop an infection prevention and control orientation program for personnel and tailor the information to the clinical and educational level of the target group.

*      Provide personnel orientation and training on the facility exposure control program.

*      Establish immunization programs for patients.   

*      Meet with the staff to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas and/or improving services as SB necessary.

*      Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel.

*      Staff Development Functions

*      Attend and participate in workshops, seminars and continuing education programs.

Experience 

Must have, as a minimum, two (2) year(s) clinical experience in a hospital, nursing care facility or other related healthcare facility.

Must possess a working knowledge of epidemiology, microbiology, infectious diseases and aseptic technique to include standard and transmission-based precautions.

Education  

Education necessary for required license.

Must pass orientation and initial competency assessment prior to independent assignment of patients requiring the applicable skill, and must complete and pass all annual competencies.

Licensure/Certifications

State of California RN or LVN license required. American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS required.  APIC Certification in infection prevention and control preferred but not necessary.

Equal opportunity employer.

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Assigned Work Hours:

Monday - Friday

0800-1630

Position Type:

Pay Range (based on years of applicable experience):

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