Infection Control Nurse

Tohono O•Sells, AZ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Control Nurse provides comprehensive management of the Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care (TONHC) Infection Control Program and assists with management of the employee health program as needed. The position is located at Sells Hospital and may temporarily require relocation to other TONHC facilities: Santa Rosa Health Center, San Simon Health Center, and San Xavier Health Center. The role focuses on identifying and reducing the risks of acquiring and transmitting infections through surveillance, prevention, and control activities, and works under the general supervision of the Director of Quality Management. The position oversees infection-control activities, including surveillance and records, investigations, reporting, interventions, education, and consultation. It also supports employee health and wellness, occupational illness reporting, risk management, and direct professional nursing care as required. The incumbent may act on behalf of the Director of Quality Management as delegated and may perform other job-related duties as assigned. A degree from a professional nursing program approved by the appropriate state accrediting agency and an active, current, unrestricted professional nursing license from a U.S. state are required. Three years of health-care experience, including one year in infection control or epidemiology in an acute-care setting, is required. Current CPR certification is required, as is membership in APIC. Infection Control certification by the National Board of Infection Control is preferred and must be obtained within two years of hire. Hiring is subject to criminal background and National FBI fingerprint checks, including a 39-month driving record. A valid driver's license and driving-permit eligibility may be required. Depending on departmental needs, fluency in Tohono O'odham and English may be an employment condition.

Requirements

Degree from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated state accrediting agency when the applicant completed the program.
Active, current, unrestricted license as a professional nurse in a U.S. state.
Three years of health-care experience.
One year of infection-control or epidemiology experience in an acute-care setting.
Current CPR certification.
Membership in the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
Ability to work extended hours and varied work schedules, independently, and within strict timelines.
Ability to maintain privileged and confidential information.
Ability to operate medical equipment, including blood-pressure equipment, Accu-check and glucose machines, and sphygmomanometers.
Ability to operate company vehicles; a valid driver's license may be required, with no DUIs or major traffic citations within the previous three years. If required to operate program vehicles, must meet tribal employer insurance requirements for a driver's permit.
May be required, based on departmental needs, to demonstrate fluency in both Tohono O'odham and English.
Upon recommendation for hire, must complete a criminal background check and National FBI fingerprint check, including a 39-month driving record.
Knowledge of Tohono O'odham traditions, language, history, geography, and culture.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and tribal laws, regulations, and requirements.
Knowledge of health-related issues, medical terminology, and health and child-care education.
Knowledge of comprehensive health programs and professional public-health nursing principles, practices, and procedures across clinic, home, school, and community settings.
Professional knowledge of nursing concepts, principles, and practices related to neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and elderly patients.
Ability to understand and apply statistical principles; define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and interpret abstract and concrete variables.
Knowledge of current research methods, including statistical compilation and interpretation, for epidemiological surveys, field investigations, and research.
Ability to teach and communicate effectively with TONHC departments to establish standards and implement change.
Knowledge of microbiology sufficient to interpret laboratory data for patient and environmental studies and evaluate disease processes and treatment.
Knowledge of health-care risk management and safety principles and regulations enforced by TJC, CMS, OSHA, HCFA, APIC, and applicable hospital departments.
Ability to evaluate and counsel employees on health problems and prevention, and to manage an employee health and wellness function.
Knowledge of community resources and programs.
Ability to work with groups to teach and help initiate standards, and to present information and respond to inquiries or complaints from employees, patients, representatives, and the public.
Knowledge of pharmaceuticals sufficient to recognize intended effects, side effects, and complications.
Knowledge of health records and ability to accurately and completely document clinical data.

Nice To Haves

Certification by the National Board of Infection Control (CIC); certification must be obtained within two years of hire.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage infection-control programs for assigned service lines, including data collection, recordkeeping, analysis, reporting, interventions, recommendations, and follow-up.
Investigate infection clusters and changes in infection patterns and implement appropriate interventions.
Interpret and apply relevant state, county, federal, and other guidelines; help develop programs to implement them and report diseases to authorities as required.
Participate in developing and implementing infection-control procedures and coordinate surveillance, prevention, and control activities.
Work with local, state, tribal, and federal organizations to reduce infection risks from the environment.
Chair or co-chair the Infection Control Committee and prepare agendas, coordinate meetings, and produce minutes and departmental reports.
Serve on the safety committee and liaise with departments and programs on infection-control matters.
Follow up on clinical and patient-related incident and accident reports involving infection control; identify hazards and prepare corrective-action reports.
Coordinate surveillance and recordkeeping for patients with nosocomial infections with TONHC departments and community agencies.
Maintain a resource library of infection-control and risk-management standards, legislation, texts, and journals.
Prepare and present infection-control and risk-management in-service education and orientation for Service Unit employees.
Maintain nosocomial infection records and report infection counts and types to the Executive Committee; coordinate submissions for the bi-annual Governing Body Infection Control report.
Advise on patient placement, policy and procedure revisions, isolation, decontamination, and disease-prevention measures.
Order infection-control supplies and equipment as needed and assist patients in maintaining safe, infection-free home environments.
Report infection information internally and to public health agencies.
Serve as the TONHC contact for employees regarding occupational disease or illness related to infection control and safety, and assist with required reports and forms.
Coordinate aspects of TONHC's risk-management program.
Provide direct professional nursing care for patients as required and act on behalf of the Director of Quality Management when delegated.
Assist with the TONHC employee health program, including developing policies, goals, and objectives as needed or in the absence of an Employee Health Nurse.
Help organize employee health screenings; administer physician-authorized medications and treatments as needed; treat minor health problems; and provide counseling and health education.
Coordinate an employee wellness program and counsel employees on health topics, including nutrition, dental and safety practices, minor injuries and illnesses, family and health problems, communicable disease home care, infant care, and prenatal care.
Advise employees to obtain medical care and refer them to appropriate providers or community resources.
Maintain professional knowledge through research, seminars, workshops, classes, conferences, and consultation with contracting agencies and related organizations.
Contribute to a team effort and perform other job-related duties as assigned.