Infection Control Coordinator

Shepherd Center•Atlanta, GA

14h

About The Position

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation’s top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again. Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers , strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have ke pt over 1 2% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years . Evaluate quality of patient care outcomes as they relate to healthcare associated infections. Collects, prepares and analyzes healthcare associated infection data. Present infection data and make’s recommendations for actions. Monitor employee compliance with the use of barriers, standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, and infection prevention measures. Prepare and present educational offerings for staff regarding Infection Prevention, Policies and Infection control. Serve as a resource to all departments and personnel regarding infection control and prevention. Implement programs to protect the healthcare workers, visitors, and others in the healthcare environment. Provide internal and external reporting of information and data. Promote compliance with regulations, guidelines, and accreditation requirements. Serves as a liaison between the Infection Control Committee (ICC) and all Center personnel.

Requirements

Graduate of a nursing or masters of public health program from an accredited college or university.
BLS
Active Georgia RN license or NCL/eNLC Multistate License, if an RN
One (1) year RN experience preferred.
Basic computer skills
Ability to teach and evaluate clinical performance as it relates to infection prevention and control.
Basic Competencies are expected in nursing practice, patient and employee safety, infection control, performance improvement, practice innovation, professional nursing practice, standards of clinical nursing practice, and systems for patient safety.
Demonstrates competency in time management, organization, prioritization and critical thinking by planning and organizing work assignments and prioritizing the specific needs of the patient.
Ability to assess patient and family needs and coordinate appropriate nursing plan of care.
Takes responsibility for growing professionally and seeks opportunities for improving skills
Communicates effectively using timely verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
Willingly adapts to changing work demands and work environment.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills and makes sound judgments to monitor and respond to patient needs or changes in condition.
Maintains congenial working relationships with RNs and others.
Completes orientation and initial assessment of competency successfully by determined due date.
Completes mandatory education and annual competency assessment requirements by determined due date.

Nice To Haves

CIC (Certification in Infection Prevention and Control) preferred.
Obtain CIC certification within one year of hire.
Previous experience with patients with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and/or Behavioral health preferred.

Responsibilities

Implements best practices for halting the spread of viruses and bacteria and recommends best practices to patients who have contracted infectious diseases.
Develops and monitors implementation of new nursing techniques and standards of practice related to infection prevention and control.
Monitors infection control practices and team member compliance for all departments and personnel.
Stay informed of infection prevention and epidemiology issues and guidance.
Review and revise Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures in accordance with current literature and guidelines.
Communicate all changes to policies and procedures to Shepherd Center staff.
Serves as an educational resource.
Provides educational offerings for New Employee and Clinical orientation and ongoing training needs.
Conducts outbreak investigation and initiates control measures.
Gathers and analyzes infection data to make evidence-based decisions.
Educates team members on infection prevention protocols to facilitate emergency preparedness.
Orders appropriate isolation status and help treat infected individuals to contain the spread of infectious diseases.
Assists with the development of action plans in case of community or hospital outbreak to minimize impact.
Functions as Environment of Care team member, to conduct EOC rounds frequently in all areas of Shepherd Center and make appropriate recommendations based on findings.
Collaborates with outside agencies and internal departments to ensure that infection control practices are implemented and enforced. This includes federal, state, local, CDC, current literature and JCAHO guidelines or recommendations.
Interacts with Employee Health on issues related to staff immunizations, exposures to communicable diseases and blood borne exposures.
Ensures appropriate usage/ordering of PPE supplies and proper charging.
Performs consistent with Shepherd Center standards, clinical policies, and procedures.
Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures.
Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.
Actively participates in center-wide efforts that affect nursing practice.
Adheres to patient/family centered principles per organizational standards.
Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility.
Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.
Complete required reporting of hospital acquired infections to state and federal agencies as indicated/required.
Performs other duties as required/requested/assigned