POSITION SUMMARY

The Infection Control Nurse is responsible for coordinating the activities of the facility's infection control program by assuming direct responsibility for infection surveillance, infection control reporting, and provision of infection control technical support and education for the facility staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:  Graduate from an accredited program of professional nursing required (RN/LPN); Bachelors Degree preferred.  CME units in infection control also preferred.

Experience:  A minimum of three- (3) years experience as a RN/LPN in a psychiatric health-care facility preferred.

Licensure:  Currently licensed to practice by the State Board of Nursing.  Must have a valid driver's license.

Additional Requirements:  Thorough knowledge of JCAHO, HCFA, OSHA requirements, and state and federal regulatory requirements.  Successful completion of CPR Certification and successful completion of a professionally recognized management assaultive behavior course, such as "CPI" Training, within 90 days of employment and prior to assisting with restraining procedures.  May be required to work overtime and flexible hours.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

THE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS ARE CATEGORIZED UNDER THE JCAHO STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE.

Surveillance

1. Develop and maintain a method of identifying and recording known or suspected infections in-patients and employees.
2. Carry out periodic inspections to ensure that procedures for the control of infections are being followed correctly.
3. Collect and maintain statistical data in regards to the identification and control of infections.
4. Coordinate closely with all departments to obtain information regarding patients and staff with suspected infections and ensuring control procedures are in place and adhered to.
5. Monitor employee and patient illnesses and health activities, respond to problem situations in an urgent manner, and report the number and type to the Infection Control Committee.
6. Initiate discussion regarding possible epidemiological causes of illnesses, specifically the determination of nosocomial versus community acquired infections.
7. Contribute significantly to any interventions or recommendations made by the committee in response to the discussion about an illness.
8. Coordinate with the Infection Control Committee to determine the direction of surveillance activities.
9. Conduct periodic inspections to ensure that procedures for the control of infections are implemented and adhered to.

Reporting

1. Identify objectives for infection control monitoring, data collection and reporting.
2. Prepare monthly reports to the Safety/Risk Management Committee, Infection Control Committee, Medical Staff Committee, and Nursing Administration Committee that includes data on infection rates by nursing units, site, and pathogen.
3. Report unusual clusters or outbreaks to Infection Control Committee and conduct investigations as appropriate.
4. Notify the County and/or State Health Department/Board of any reportable diseases, adhering to all internal county and state procedures.
5. Ensure that all information pertinent to surveillance monitoring and reporting is maintained and reported to the Infection Control Committee in a timely fashion.
6. Alert all facility medical staff regarding any actual or suspected infection, and initiate culture and sensitivity testing and all appropriate control procedures.
7. Develop and implement continuously improved patient care procedures and control mechanisms relating to infectious diseases.

Controlling

1. Help control the speed of infection in accord with infection control policies and procedures by ascertaining the nature of the infection and the steps to be followed and judge their degree of implementation.
2. Identify the need for intervention in the care of patients and employees with infection and contact the appropriate individuals when necessary.
3. Track all monitor infection data to evaluate and investigate trends and report all trends to appropriate facility staff.
4. Evaluate and document the effectiveness of infection control activities.

Education and Consultation

1. Participate in infection control education of all employees during orientation and annually thereafter, including classes in infection control practices and employee health.
2. Act as a consultant in infection control for the Nursing Department by assisting with assessing patient infection control problems, planning and evaluating the care of the patient, and making recommendations for home care on discharge.
3. Assist with the development of an education program pertaining to the infection control within the facility.
4. Coordinate with the Infection Control Committee to update and revise facility infection control policies, procedures and practices.
5. Consult with the Infection Control Committee to provide information on infectious diseases, and infection control.
6. Continuously monitor all infections, and investigate and report on unusual events.
7. Ensure the infection control procedures meet JCAHO, county and state guidelines.
8. Organize Infection Control Committee meetings and maintain all meeting minutes.
9. Assist with the ongoing review of antibiotic usage as needed.
10. Act as a liaison between the State/County Board of Health and Health Department.

Additional Standards  

 1.    Adhere to facility, department and Corporate Personnel Policies and Procedures.

 2.    Attend all mandatory facility inservices and staff development activities as scheduled.

 3.    Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.

 4.    Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.

 5.    Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient/resident information.      

Note:  The essential job functions of this position are not limited to the duties listed above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION SHOULD CURRENTLY POSSESS.  THIS LIST MAY NOT BE COMPLETE FOR ALL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION.

1.     Knowledge of infection control procedures, IOSHA, OSHA, and CDC guidelines.

2.     Knowledge of the principles of epidemiology and infectious disease.

3.     Knowledge of the County Health department procedures and practices.

4.     Thorough knowledge of all infectious disease, disease warning signs, and response procedures.

5.     Knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures is essential.

6.     Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.

7.     Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.

8.     Effective oral and written communication skills.

9.     Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.

10.   Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.

11.   Ability to use good judgement and to maintain confidentiality of information.

12.   Ability to work as a team player.

13.   Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.

14.   Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.

15.   Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric).

16.   Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

17.   Ability to meet corporate deadlines.

18.   Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SPECIAL DEMANDS

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES HOW AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION CURRENTLY PERFORMS THE FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION.  MODIFICATIONS TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS JOB MAY BE PERFORMED WILL BE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

1.     Ability to sit and stand (one-third of the shift), and walk (two-thirds of the shift).

2.     Ability to reach above, at or below waist height, kneel, bend, stoop, turn twist, and throw.

3.     Ability to see well enough to reach charts, treatment plans, and typewritten materials.

4.     Ability to hear well enough to detect noises on the unit and to discern odors.

5.     Ability to frequently lift and carry 10-50 lbs.

6.     Ability to frequently push/pull wheeled carts from 100-200 lbs.

7.     Ability to manipulate small and large tools (electric thermometer, telephone, wheelchair, blood pressure cuffs, walkers, paper punch, addressograph, restraints, staplers, EKG machine, copy machine).

8.     Ability to spend 95% of the work day inside in temperatures varying from 60°-90 ° F. and where noise levels ranging from low to high. 

9.     Ability to spend 5% of the workday outside in temperatures varying from 30°-110 ° F.

10.   Ability to frequently handle hazardous/infectious waste.

11.   Ability to work in an environment where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present and where dust, mist and steam are generated in housekeeping tasks.

12.   Ability to work frequently at a rapid pace and perform a variety of repetitive duties.

13.   Ability to respond to exposure to blood and body fluids - category 1.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER WORK AIDES:

THIS SECTION DESCRIBES THOSE MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND OTHER WORK AIDES AN EMPLOYEE IN THIS POSITION MUST BE ABLE TO USE.

1.     Medical and nursing equipment and supplies.

2.     Telephone and paging systems.

3.     Policies, procedures, plan and program manuals.

EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

I have received a copy of the position description and the criteria-based performance evaluation/competency evaluation and have read and understand the contents.