Infection Control Nurse and Vaccine Manager - Fair Haven Community Health Care

Fair Haven Community Health Care 

FHCHC is a forward-thinking, dynamic, and exciting community health center that provides care for multiple generations at over 143,000 office visits in 21 locations. Overseen by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are patients themselves, we are proud to offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services, as well as evidence-based patient programs to educate patients in healthy lifestyle choices. As we grow and are able to bring high-quality health care to more areas that need access, we continue to put our patients first in everything we do. The mission of FHCHC is “To improve the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high quality, patient-centered care that is culturally responsive.”

For 53 years, we have been a health care leader in our community focused on providing excellent, affordable primary care to all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Fair Haven is proud to have a diverse and motivated team of professionals who are constantly seeking ways to enhance and improve the health and well-being of all patients. We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality medical and dental care, regardless of ability to pay.

Job purpose

The Infection Prevention Nurse, and Vaccine Manager is responsible for the implementation of infection control policies and procedures at Fair Haven Community Health Care to prevent and control infectious disease transmission within the organization. The individual will monitor and report compliance with infection control standards, educate employees and patients about infection prevention, and help implement infection control programs including employee vaccinations, tuberculin skin testing and annual fit testing. The Infection Prevention and Vaccine Manager will help to develop and revise infection control policies and procedures in accordance with The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other nationally organized agency standards and recommendations. This individual will serve on the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and provide administrative support to the committee.  The Infection Prevention and Vaccine Manager will report to the Director of Medicine.

Duties and responsibilities

Infection Prevention and Control

• Conduct infection control audits of hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory hygiene, isolation precautions, safe injection practices, environmental cleaning, sterilization of reusable devices, as well as the other infection control practices. Provide monthly audit results to the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and individual employees.
• Educate employees about infection risk, prevention and control including training of all new employees on Infection Control Policies at the time of orientation. Provide annual updates and ongoing education and support to clinical staff during Infection Control rounds, and Environmental of Care rounds, at all FHCHC sites (374 Grand Avenue, 50 Grand Avenue, Shoreline, Bella Vista,  150 Sargent Drive and School-based sites).
• Ttrain health care nurses and clinicians who administer parenteral injections on safe injections practices. With the support of the Nurse Educator, rovide training on hire, annually, and when new equipment or protocols are introduced.
• Train health care staff who sterilize reusable devices on appropriate sterilization procedures, use of the autoclave machine, recording, and monitoring thereof. With the support of the Nurse Educator, provide training on hire, annually, and when new equipment or protocols are introduced.
• Respond to employee needle stick or other exposure event(s) by providing on-site support to employee and facilitating visit to Occupational Health within one hour of the exposure. Work with Human Resources to maintain data regarding HCP exposure events. Work with Director of Infection Control and Director of Nursing to develop and implement corrective action plan to reduce incidences of occupational exposure.
• Assist Director of Infection Control in response to emerging infectious diseases (i.e., COVID, Measles, Chicken pox, Ebola, Zika, etc.). Provide education to staff using various communication/training methods; i.e. email communications, presentations, self-learning modules and special trainings.
• Work with Facilities’ Team to ensure that all infection control materials, including personal protective equipment and EPA cleaning materials are available at all clinical facilities.
• Assist Director of Infection Control in the development and revision of infection control policies and procedures, the investigation of suspected outbreaks of infection and the preparation for and/or response to TJC and DPH visits.
• Collect infectious disease data within Fair Haven Community Health Care (e.g., cases of STIs, Hepatitis C, Tuberculosis, antibiotic resistant organisms, etc.) to guide infection control policies and clinical programs.
• Serve as infectious disease liaison to patients and members of the community to educate about infection prevention and control, as well as specific infectious diseases. Distribute patient educational material in waiting areas and examination rooms.
• Serve as role model for staff and community at large, exemplifying Infection Control principles and best practice.
• Organize annual employee influenza vaccinations, TB screening and fit testing for healthcare employees.
• Report/follow up “reportable” disease cases from Fair Haven Community Health Care to Connecticut Department of Public Health and local health department. Maintain records of all case reports.
• Participate in monthly Infection Prevention and Control Committee meetings and provide administrative support to the committee including meeting planning and minutes.
• Participate in quality/performance improvement activities as recommended by the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
• Attend trainings in infection control including on-line trainings and webinars. Take Certification in Infection Control Exam (CIC) within 2 years of hire if not previously certified.

Sterilization Oversight

• Train and manage a team of autoclave operators, assigning tasks and ensuring proper technique is used.
• Monitor performance, identify training needs, and address any operational issues.
• Ensure staff adheres to safety protocols and proper handling of sterilized materials.

• Implement and oversee quality control procedures to validate sterilization effectiveness.
• Conduct regular monitoring of sterilization parameters and perform necessary adjustments as needed.
• Investigate and address any quality concerns or non-conforming sterilization cycles.

• Stay updated on all applicable sterilization regulations and industry standards.
• Ensure detailed documentation and records are maintained to comply with regulatory requirements.
• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with sterilization procedures and protocols.

• Manage inventory of sterilization supplies, including packaging materials and chemicals.
• Monitor stock levels and place orders as needed to maintain adequate supplies.

Vaccine Manager

• Responsible for vaccine ordering, including vaccines ordered through the Connecticut Vaccine Program.
• Responsible for proper vaccine storage in appropriately temperature-controlled refrigerators.
• Responsible for monitoring vaccine storage refrigerators and responding to out of range temperatures.
• Responsible, with Facilities Director, for transferring vaccines to alternate facility in event of power outage or other reason that may jeopardize vaccine safety.
• Responsible for working with Director of Nursing and Nurse Educator  on nursing education regarding proper handling and administration of vaccine(s), as well as safe infection practices.
• Responsible for reporting to and communicating with CT Department of Public Health regarding vaccines ordered through the Connecticut Vaccine Program…
• Responsible for returning unused or expired vaccines to CT Department of Public Health.
• Responsible for working with Director of Medicine, CT Department of Public Health, local pharmacies and other sources to obtain CDC-recommended adult vaccines.
• Responsible for communicating any vaccine-related incidents and/or adverse events to Director of Nursing and Director of Medicine.

Vaccine Education

• Responsible for educating clinical staff regarding pediatric and adult immunizations, including any changes to CDC recommendations.
• Responsible for obtaining educational materials for patients and/or parents regarding recommended pediatric and adult immunizations.
• Responsible for working with the Director of Nursing on educating employees regarding annual influenza vaccinations and other recommended vaccines (Tdap, Hep B, etc.) for health care workers.

Vaccine Quality Improvement

• Responsible for obtaining CIRTS, CTWiz, and EPIC vaccine reports to be used for improving individual patient care as well as evaluation of overall vaccination performance.
• Responsible for working with Director of Nursing on quality improvement projects related to pediatric and adult vaccinations.

Management Responsibilities

• Establishes time lines and consistently meets mutually established deadlines for project work and initiatives.
• Maintains detailed records of education and training for all staff; meeting both FHCHC and outside Regulatory body requirements in an organized and easily retrievable fashion (electronic or manual files).  These files will include all documents pertaining to Infection Control and Vaccine program education, training, Fit Testing activities that are held on an annual basis.
• Consistently updates HR employee files with orientation and ongoing IC/Vaccine training and educational offerings on an annual basis or more frequently if requested. Keeps Master Files readily available in Infection Control office.
• Actively problem solves issues and recommends solutions with realistic implementation plan; executing plan per agreed upon timeline.
• Demonstrates consistent time management skills and keeps all projects on track and on schedule.
• Keeps supervisor abreast of issues and plan of action to address them.
• Keeps abreast of best practices though community networking channels and shares information accordingly.
• Maintains organized annual calendar of events, plotting out required trainings and updates including New Hire Orientations, IC/Vaccination Program education and training activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Current RN licensure, three years of nursing experience and BLS Certification required.  Certified in infection control (CIC) with one year of infection prevention experience preferred.

American with Disabilities Requirements:

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.

Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

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