Registered Nurse - Infection Control

Overview

The Infection Control Nurse possesses knowledge of hospital epidemiology principles and isresponsible for coordination of the hospital-wide Infection Control Program which includes surveillance, analysis, and reporting of nosocomial infections; educating employees about infection control; and the development of health system policies and procedures to insure rigorous infection control standards that meet Joint Commission, OSHA, Public Health Department, and Center for Disease Control requirements. In collaboration with the Infection Control Director, the Infection Control Nurse supports and acts as a resource to Administration, Medical Staff, and all hospital services.

Responsibilities

• Surveillance:
  • Identify and monitor specified nosocomial infections, performs targeted surveillance, outbreak investigations, and ad hoc projects as defined by the Infection Control Committee, Hospital Epidemiologist and the Board of Trustees.
  • Participates in performance improvement projects related in communicable diseases andemerging pathogens within the facility.
  • Collects, monitors, and maintains records and data pertinent to surveillance, via computersupport (utilizing Center for Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria, documentation andinvestigation techniques.)
  • Reports surveillance, investigations, and projects as defined above to appropriate committees, administrative staff, and supervisors/managers.
  • Makes rounds of hospital units for the purpose of case definition, monitoring of infection control practices, and other related patient care issues.
  • Assists the hospital epidemiologist as necessary, for example:
    • investigation of possible communicable disease exposures among health care workers,patients, and/or visitors.
    • tracing the possible sources of infection or transmission of microorganisms within thehospital.
    • investigation of clusters or outbreaks of infections or colonization.
  • Uses NHSN database and standardized CDC infection definitions for mandatory reporting of infections

• Problem Identification:
  • Meets regularly with the hospital Epidemiologist regarding all relevant problems in the hospital.  Hospital Rounds required with in facility.
  • Understand the transmission of infections and assists in the reduction of risk among patients, facility staff, volunteers, students, and visitors.
  • Assists in identifying epidemiologically important issues for Infection Control Committee, Hospital Epidemiologist, the Board of Trustees, and Administration so that appropriate plans for action can be designed including Surveillance, Outbreak Investigations, and Performance Improvement Projects.
  • Monitors for compliance with federal and state laws regarding Infection Control issues such as medical wastes, chemicals in the workplace, infectious disease exposures, and OSHA, CalOsh, and NIOSH standards related to blood borne pathogens and respiratory pathogens.

• Policies and Procedures:
  • Drafts, reviews, and evaluates Infection Control policies or practices associated with infection control for appropriate manuals every two (2) years or more frequently as needed.
  • In collaboration with the Infection Control Medical Director, utilizes a risk assessment to draft the hospital’s Infection Control Plan and annually reviews, evaluates, and updates plan based upon surveillance data findings.
  • Makes recommendations utilizing professional guidelines (CDC, APIC, etc.) to comply with regulatory and accrediting agencies such as federal, state, and local health agencies, and the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Organization. Updates policies, practices and the Infection Control Plan to reflect and meet any required changes.
  • Attends all meetings of the Infection Control Committee and participates in other committees as assigned by the VP of Patient Services, for example Safety, P&T, Patient Care Services.

• Coordination:
  • Acts as department liaison for Infection Control and as consultant for the facility to integrateInfection Control activities
  • Assists in planning with other departments and personnel to reduce the risk of diseasetransmission and improved infection control practices.
  • Collaborates with appropriate representative of other disciplines and agencies concerned with patient services to provide coordinated services to patients for the improvement of overall patient care.

• Education:
  • In-services of all new employees during orientation programs and continuing educationprograms regarding Infection Control techniques and Policies and Procedures.
  • Provide orientation and training to relief persons who will function as Infection Control Specialist.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Microbiology, preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as an Infection Control Registered Nurse with Hospital/ Nursing Home experience.
• Experience working with CDC and Joint Commission guidelines.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Understanding of nosocomial infection definitions, chart review, functional understanding of sterilization, disinfections and sanitation.
• Basic understanding and use of microbiology and epidemiology principles, statistical presentation, outbreak investigation techniques, and computer use.
• Adult teaching techniques, clear oral and written communication skills, project management,and policy management.
• Working knowledge of OSHA Blood borne Pathogen Standards, OSHA Tuberculosis.
• Protection, Title 22, state and federal laws related to communicable diseases, and JCAHOStandards.
• Ability to organize and work effectively and independently.

Licenses, Certifications:

• Current New York RN license.
• CIC (Certification in Infection Prevention and Control) certification is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Position requires prolonged periods of standing, reaching, walking throughout the working day.  Position will be required to stoops, bends, lifts, carry items weighing up to 25 pounds for routine performance of essential functions.
• Able to lift up to 100 pounds, if necessary, to assist lifting and moving patients.
• An individual in this position may be exposed to: Adverse indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, Blood borne pathogens, Physical hazards (e.g., needle pricks, etc.), and Chemical hazards.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of The Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.

KJMC is an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.