Infection Control Coordinator

Position: Infection Preventionist

Location: The Springs Post Acute in Norwalk, CA

Schedule: Full Time Monday-Friday

Pay Range: $35-45/hour

Job Description:

The primary purpose of your job is to plan, organize, develop, coordinate, and direct our infection 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 Administrator and the Infection Control Committee to ensure that an effective infection control program is maintained at all times.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the development and monitoring of our facility’s established infection prevention and control policies and practices
• Report information related to compliance with our facility’s established infection prevention and control policies and practices to the Administrator and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Committee
• Keep abreast of changes in infection prevention and control guidelines and regulations to ensure our facility’s protocols remain current and aide in preventing and controlling the spread of infections
• May designate other employees to assist him/her in the performance of these duties upon approval from the Administrator
• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct our infection control program in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern such requirements in the long-term care facility.
• Ensure that the facility is in compliance with current CDC, OSHA, and local regulations concerning infection control or universal precautions.
• Develop, maintain, and periodically update infection control precautions and aseptic techniques that successfully correct problem areas.
• Interpret infection control policies and procedures as necessary.
• Maintain a reference library of written infection control material that will assist the facility in meeting the day-to-day needs of the isolated residents.
• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the infection 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 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 isolation precautions/practices.
• Visit isolated residents as necessary to ensure that established isolation 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 Services 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 infective 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 Administrator and Director of Nursing Services.
• Prepare summaries of special investigations on the occurrence of nosocomial and community-acquired infections.
• Provide the Director of Nursing Services with a report of pertinent findings and recommendations pertaining to nosocomial infection.
• Maintain a written record of all residents and employees who have nosocomial infections.
• Participate in surveys of possible carriers among residents and personnel, and in tracing possible sources of infection within the facility.
• Assist the Director of Laundry Services in developing infection control procedures for the handling of clean and soiled laundry/linen, equipment cleaning, etc.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
• Assist the Discharge Planning Coordinator in developing and implementing discharge plans for the resident in isolation or on infection control precautions.
• 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.

Education

• Must possess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• Must have, as a minimum 1 year as a charge nurse in a long-term care facility

Specific Requirements

• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as a Nurse in the state.
• Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to long-term car and infection control, to include universal precautions.
• Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for preventing and controlling infections, to include the establishing of universal precautions.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

The Springs Post Acute offers a unique healthcare experience that specializes in post-acute rehab. Throughout the years, we’ve continuously committed to providing a higher level of nursing care by personalizing our services to our patients’ needs. The Springs is proud to offer a fun, exciting program including outings, high-tech gaming, and various events and classes to cater to our residents’ psychosocial needs. The Springs is incredibly proud of our 5-star CMS rating!