Infection Control Coordinator

William Newton Hospital•Winfield, KS

44d

About The Position

Job Summary: The Infection Control Coordinator is a qualified individual with knowledge of CDC guidelines and definitions of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), CMS, federal and state regulations. This person is responsible for the identification, investigation, reporting, prevention and control of healthcare associated infections among patients and personnel. By authority of the Infection Control Committee, she/he may institute collection of cultures and initiate appropriate isolation precautions. This person is responsible for assisting with in-service programs related to infection prevention and control. Job Duties & Responsibilities: Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of complete infection control process in the healthcare setting. Demonstrates knowledge of and prepares statistics and other information as applicable to trending healthcare associated infections. Demonstrates understanding of standard and isolation precautions as set forth by the CDC. Attends continuing education programs and maintains current knowledge of all aspects of infection control. Demonstrates knowledge of microbiology, and modes of disease transmission. Demonstrates ability to teach principles and practical application of infection control to all levels of healthcare personnel in written or oral forms. Demonstrates ability to develop infection control policies and procedures. Develops, implements and maintains systems for identifying, investigating, reporting and preventing the spread of healthcare associated infections among patients of all ages and healthcare personnel. Reviews cultures and sensitivities reported by microbiology laboratory of patients and personnel to determine trends and origins of infections. Confers with staff nurses on all patient care units on a regular basis to determine occurrence of healthcare associated infections. Confers with medical and nursing staff to determine appropriate implementation of isolation precautions. Investigates infections, especially those occurring above established thresholds, and/or in clusters for each patient care unit. Initiates culture and sensitivity and/or appropriate isolation precautions when indicated. Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors. Demonstrates appropriate choices relating to the financial cost of providing care for both the patient and hospital. Prepares for and conducts quarterly infection control committee meetings. Prepares appropriate reports to Performance Improvement Coordinator in a timely fashion. Assists with in-service education related to infection prevention and control house-wide. Completes required reports to public health organizations in a timely and accurate manner. Maintains accurate records of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) among patients and personnel. Monitors proper use of germicides, cleaning products, antiseptics and disinfectants in use throughout the facility. Monitors methods of asepsis, sterilization and disinfection employed throughout the facility. Reviews and/or revises all department policies and procedures related to infection control on a concurrent basis. Communicates infection control activities to Infection Control Chairperson, administration, performance improvement committee, medical staff and executive committee via the infection control committee minutes. Implements and conducts special studies when appropriate or requested by the infection control committee chairperson or administrator. Collaborates with the infection control committee chairperson to review and approve infection control manual policies and procedures at least every two (2) years. Based on studies which identify areas of improved patient outcomes, submits targeted surveillance indicators for infection control committee approval on an annual basis. Stays abreast of changing infection control practices and presents plan for compliance in a timely manner. Establishes effective interpersonal relationships with physicians, nurses and all other members of the healthcare team. Communicates in a manner that conveys mutual understanding and respect. Designs and implements new methods to improve the efficacy and outcomes of the infection control program.

Requirements

Licensed nurse or professional medical person with appropriate credentials in microbiology or related field.
Two years experience in clinical nursing preferred.
Working knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology, infectious diseases, aseptic techniques and current practices.

Responsibilities

Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of complete infection control process in the healthcare setting.
Demonstrates knowledge of and prepares statistics and other information as applicable to trending healthcare associated infections.
Demonstrates understanding of standard and isolation precautions as set forth by the CDC.
Attends continuing education programs and maintains current knowledge of all aspects of infection control.
Demonstrates knowledge of microbiology, and modes of disease transmission.
Demonstrates ability to teach principles and practical application of infection control to all levels of healthcare personnel in written or oral forms.
Demonstrates ability to develop infection control policies and procedures.
Develops, implements and maintains systems for identifying, investigating, reporting and preventing the spread of healthcare associated infections among patients of all ages and healthcare personnel.
Reviews cultures and sensitivities reported by microbiology laboratory of patients and personnel to determine trends and origins of infections.
Confers with staff nurses on all patient care units on a regular basis to determine occurrence of healthcare associated infections.
Confers with medical and nursing staff to determine appropriate implementation of isolation precautions.
Investigates infections, especially those occurring above established thresholds, and/or in clusters for each patient care unit.
Initiates culture and sensitivity and/or appropriate isolation precautions when indicated.
Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/healthcare errors.
Demonstrates appropriate choices relating to the financial cost of providing care for both the patient and hospital.
Prepares for and conducts quarterly infection control committee meetings.
Prepares appropriate reports to Performance Improvement Coordinator in a timely fashion.
Assists with in-service education related to infection prevention and control house-wide.
Completes required reports to public health organizations in a timely and accurate manner.
Maintains accurate records of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) among patients and personnel.
Monitors proper use of germicides, cleaning products, antiseptics and disinfectants in use throughout the facility.
Monitors methods of asepsis, sterilization and disinfection employed throughout the facility.
Reviews and/or revises all department policies and procedures related to infection control on a concurrent basis.
Communicates infection control activities to Infection Control Chairperson, administration, performance improvement committee, medical staff and executive committee via the infection control committee minutes.
Implements and conducts special studies when appropriate or requested by the infection control committee chairperson or administrator.
Collaborates with the infection control committee chairperson to review and approve infection control manual policies and procedures at least every two (2) years.
Based on studies which identify areas of improved patient outcomes, submits targeted surveillance indicators for infection control committee approval on an annual basis.
Stays abreast of changing infection control practices and presents plan for compliance in a timely manner.
Establishes effective interpersonal relationships with physicians, nurses and all other members of the healthcare team. Communicates in a manner that conveys mutual understanding and respect.
Designs and implements new methods to improve the efficacy and outcomes of the infection control program.
Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
Completes annual education requirements.
Maintains regulatory requirements including all state, federal and CMS regulations.
Maintains and ensures confidentiality of patient and employee related information.
Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
Wears identification while on duty, uses computerized punch time system correctly.
Performs staff in-services on infection control.
Attends committee meetings as required.
Maintains open lines of communication with all departments.
Initiates duties, appropriate measures and sets priorities independently.
Remains open to suggestions of methods to reduce the incidence of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) thus improving patient outcomes.
Shows professional interest through attendance at seminars, continuing education conferences and involvement in professional organization.
Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (QI) activities.
Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
Communicates the mission, vision, ethics, goals and core values of the hospital as well as the mission statement of the department.
Participates in community education relating to infection control.
Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.
Attends committee, CQI and management meetings, as appropriate, actively participates in the department CQI activities.
Ensures compliance with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire safety and infection control.
Effectively and consistently communicates administrative directive to personnel and encourages interactive departmental meetings and discussion.