Infection Control Nurse - AHS - Sherman Medical Center

Job Summary:  Supervises, assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the hospital surveillance, prevention and control of infection.  Assists with policy and procedure development and implementation while maintaining CDC, OSHA, TJC/CMS and other regulatory agency directives.  Acts as a primary education consultant to hospital employees, physicians, patients and visitors in safe Infection Control/Prevention practices.  Coordinates all hospital infection control activities with the Pharmacy, Therapeutics, Nutrition and Infection Control (PTNIC) Committee, Medical Staff and hospital employees.  Responds to potential exposures by communicating with patients, physicians, employees and regulatory agencies.  Performs safety rounds of the physical plant to insure basic Infection Control/Prevention and safety practices are adhered to in all hospital departments in order to maintain a safe environment for patients, physicians, visitors and hospital employees.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, TRAINING

1. Must have current and valid license as a RN.
2. Preferred three years' experience in an acute care hospital setting.
3. Knowledge of theory, techniques and practices of infection control and employee health.
4. APIC membership and attendance.
5. Completion of courses in Infection Control and Epidemiology within 1 year.
6. BLS upon hire or obtained within 30 days.                       

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. Conducts regular surveillance to determine the presence of infections.
2. Screens all patients and identifies those with active infection potential from the neonate through geriatrics.
3. Review all culture reports to identify cultures in which a specific pathogen has been isolated and makes appropriate recommendations. Collaborates with laboratory, pharmacy personnel and wound care nurse in identifying and analyzing any issues requiring special handling or follow up.
4. Makes patient rounds on each unit to identify possible infectious processes and to evaluate previously instituted infection control measures.
5. Collaborates with the emergency preparedness team in developing a surge plan and ensuring availability of PPE supplies.
6. Documents statistical information on all healthcare associated infections, unusual trends or clusters of infection, specific studies and ongoing infections.
7. Prepared detailed information for the P&T committee which includes surgical infection rates and categories and hospital associated or drug resistant infections present within the hospital. In addition, supplies the committee with a report on employee health problems, sharps injuries and infection control issues from various hospital departments. May suggest and carry out necessary studies.
8. Monitors dialysis cultures and reports on a quarterly basis.
9. Participates in the annual review and revision of Bloodborne Pathogen, Needle/Sharps safety, tuberculosis control, facility TB Risk assessment and maintains a current status of the Infection Control Manual.
10. Assists in development and implementation of the wound care program, patient care procedures and new products relating to safety/infection control.
11. Initiates necessary programs to decrease infection and safety hazards within the hospital.
12.Makes routine facility rounds to evaluate compliance with infection control/prevention policies and procedures.
13. Tactfully discusses correct infection control/prevention policies and procedures to reinforce compliance with appropriate physicians/staff members.
14. Initiates culture and sensitivity testing and/or appropriate isolation procedures in the interest of early and complete reporting. Will report to the medical staff member responsible for the patient when these actions are taken.
15. Participates in the hospital orientation program by presenting the hospital Infection Control Program principles and the importance of employee participation, emphasizing use of appropriate precautions, hand hygiene and needle/sharps safety.
16. Provides in-service education to hospital personnel at least annually regarding infection control/prevention principles, standard precautions, isolation precautions, bloodborne pathogens, sharps safety, hand hygiene, etc.
17. Actively participates in employee health recommendations and monitors employee illness related to infectious or communicable disease. Follow up on all needlestick/ splash exposures as per policy.
18. Monitors patient safety/well being during construction/remodeling activities in the facility.
19. Initiates corrective action for any safety issues noted in the facility.
20. Maintain regular attendance
21. Performs other duties as assigned or required.