Infection Control Prevention Officer, LPN/LVN

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The Infection Preventionist is responsible for the facility infection prevention and control program (IPCP), and the antibiotic stewardship program (ASP), which are designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.
Establish and manage a facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections of residents, staff, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread.

Establishment, oversight, and enforcement of facility Infection Control Program (program management)

• Establish a facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections of residents, staff, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread
• Create and manage a system for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases for all residents, staff, volunteers, visitors, and other individuals providing services under a contractual arrangement based upon the facility assessment and following accepted national standards
• Create and manage written standards, policies, and procedures for the program, which must include, but are not limited to:
  • A system of surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they can spread to other persons in the facility;
  • When and to whom possible incidents of communicable disease or infections should be reported;
  • Standard and transmission-based precautions to be followed to prevent spread of infections
• Conduct outbreak investigations
• Maintain a system for reporting possible incidents of communicable diseases to local, state, or national agencies as required
• Assess the need for, develop, and implement written policies and procedures for infection control, including those for standard precautions and for transmission-based precautions, including when these should be used, the duration of use, and the type of precautions needed for a particular infection or organism.
• Enforce policies prohibiting staff with communicable diseases or infected skin lesions from direct contact with residents and their food, and enforce hand hygiene policies consistent with accepted standards of practices.
• Be accountable for surveillance of healthcare-acquired and community-acquired infections for residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors

Collaborate and communicate effectively with key stakeholders (regulatory requirement management, quality control assurance, and continuous improvement)

• Collaborate with the facility leadership and the medical director to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual infection prevention goals and action plan
• Partner with facility leaders, physicians, and local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention
• Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and ensure that the facility leaders are informed of appropriate issues; understand and comply with infection control, safety, and OSHA procedures and regulations.
• Incorporate IPC process and outcome measures into the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program.

Design and conduct facility training on Infection Prevention and Control (education and training)

• Assess the need for, develop, and present IPCP in-service education for individual departments, general orientation, and conduct annual review as needed.  Education includes but is not limited to:
  • Hand hygiene
  • Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization
  • Specific direct and indirect care settings
  • Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and devices
  • Use of isolation/barrier precautions when indicated
  • Resident placement, transfer, and discharge
  • Environmental hazards
  • Use of patient care products and medical equipment
  • Resident immunization program

Occupational Health

• Provide consultation to occupational health personnel in the following areas:
  • Occupational health policies and procedures related to IPC
  • Risk of occupational exposures to infectious disease
  • Rates and trends of occupational exposures
  • Work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable diseases or following an exposure

• Assist with immunization and screening programs as needed.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

Required Degree:  Associate degree or LPN/LVN certificate

         

Preferred Degree:  Bachelor’s degree

Certificate(s):

• Must hold an active LPN / LVN Nursing license in good standing
• Professional training in nursing, medical technology, microbiology, epidemiology, or other related field; and have completed specialized training in infection prevention and control as required by the state

Experience: 

• Be qualified by education, training, experience, or certification in infection control.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY:

• Conduct analysis and formulate conclusions
• Identify occurrences, reservoirs, incubation periods, periods of communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and susceptibility associated with the infectious disease process
• Interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests
• Differentiate between colonization and infection
• Differentiate between prophylactic, empiric, and therapeutic uses of antimicrobials
• Foster effective working relationships and build consensus
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Plan, organize, prioritize, work independently, and meet deadlines
• Use judgment and make sound decisions
• Work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Speak, read, write, and understand English effectively at a level appropriate for the safe and effective performance of the job

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Mobility to move around campus and skilled nursing facility.
• May encounter unpleasant circumstances. 
• Must be able to speak, write and read clearly in English. 
• Must be able to instruct in the use of related nursing equipment.

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For full time employees, we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Employer paid group term life and disability
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & six paid holidays
• 403(b) with a 3% employer match
• Fitness center use at most facilities.
• Various voluntary benefits:
  • Life, AD&D
  • Tuition assistance and scholarships
  • Employee assistance program
  • Legal services, home/auto insurance, discount purchasing program
  • Pet Insurance

For more information about Covenant Living and CovenantCare at Home, please visit www.covliving.org or www.covenantcareathome.org.

Covenant Living and CovenantCare at Home are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by local laws, regulations, or ordinances.