Infection Control Nurse (LPN/RN)

Must have an Active Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in Washington state.

Job Summary:

The Infection Preventionist Control (IPC)/Wound nurse is responsible for identifying, investigating, monitoring, and reporting healthcare-associated infections. The IP collaborates with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies.

Reports to: DON

Responsibilities

• Work cooperatively with the Administrator, Director of Nursing Services, and facility staff in assessing training needs and plan programs to meet these needs and regulatory requirements.
• Write/update staff development policies, including absenteeism, completion and pass/fail requirements, history and physical and screening for criminal history.
• Ensure all nursing assistants hired by the facility complete a certification program.
• Prepare applications for staff development, orientation, in-service, Continuing Education and CNA Certification Training to appropriate agency as required and prepare renewal applications when applicable to appropriate agency.
• Provide program change information to appropriate agency within time requirements.
• Prepare/obtain and file lesson plans for all programs taught to facility employees.
• Maintain a current schedule of all employees and outside instructors who may be in the facility doing clinical training.
• Review all employees records for history and physical and criminal record screening.
• Implement orientation program for all new employees beginning the first day of employment.
• Confirm the validity of certificates and their good standing for all CNAs
• Ensure all nursing assistants complete hours of required training during the required time period.
• Complete an Orientation Skills Return Demonstration checklist on all new NAs and Care Specialists which indicates they are competent to perform all resident care tasks they will be assigned after the first 8 hours of employment. Provide skill training to new staff in any deficient area noted above before allowing the nursing assistant to perform the task with a resident.
• Implement and review the facility’s infection prevention program.
• Collect and analyze data related to infections and antibiotic usage, monitoring for trends and increasing resistance.
• Resource for facility staff regarding infection prevention issues, including the management of infectious residents and other infection prevention concerns.

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified licensed RN or LPN/LVN in good standing and currently licensed by the State in which employed.
• Two years of full time experience as a licensed nurse, at least one year of which must be in the provision of direct resident care in a nursing facility and within six (6) months of employment, and prior to teaching a certification program, the Director of Staff Development must obtain a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education in nursing courses in planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs in nursing.
• Completion of post-secondary education or otherwise able to read, write and follow oral and written directions at a level necessary to accomplish the job.
• Basic computer knowledge and ability with an aptitude to learn company software.
• Must be able to relate positively and favorably to residents and families and to work cooperatively with other employees.
• Must pass drug screening, criminal background investigation, and reference inquiry.

Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology (i.e.: CICO preferred) or attainment within 3 months after employment.

Essential Skills:

• Analytical
• Problem solving
• Collaboration
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to implement evidence-based guidelines
• Conflict resolution
• Program and project management
• Expertise in data collection and analysis, report writing, and data presentation Leadership
• Familiar with software technologies