Infection Control Preventionist

Cape Cod Healthcare•Falmouth, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Control Preventionist is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing infection control programs and activities within the facility. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to enhance infection control practices, conducting training, coordinating with various committees, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. The position also requires assisting with nursing care plans, budgetary planning, and maintaining confidentiality of resident information. A key aspect of this role is to provide service excellence in line with the organization's commitment to compassion, accountability, respect, excellence, and service.

Requirements

Must possess, as a minimum, two (2) years college.
RN License current.
Sufficient previous experience in clinical health care including direct experience in Performance Improvement.
Certification to meet the CMS guidelines to perform as an Infection Control Preventionist.
Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action in a timely fashion.
Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of teamwork and team concept.
Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
Must be knowledgeable of performance improvement, staff development and infection control procedures.
Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
Must possess the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the goals, objectives, policies, procedures, etc., for quality management and outcomes.
Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents and staff.
Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing practices.
Must be able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.
Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and meet all other Physical and Sensory requirements.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and direct infection control programs and activities.
Plan, develop, organize, implement, coordinate, and direct programs designed to enhance infection control practices, in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern nursing care facilities (e.g., Hand Hygiene, Vaccines, Blood borne pathogens, FLU Program).
Develop infection control training objectives, strategies, policies, and programs, in line with Staff Development of the employees of the facility.
Coordinate concurrent review studies performed within the infection control program, and prepare resulting reports as required.
Coordinate with the SDC the implementation of policies and procedures related to infection control training and educational programs for the employees of an organization.
Establish and maintain tracking systems for recommendations of groups involved in infection control.
Head environmental rounds for infection control purposes.
Conduct needs evaluation and design curricula and courses to meet those needs.
Liaise with management to ensure training and educational programs achieve corporate goals.
Direct analysis and design of materials and programs and suggest enhancements.
Prepare reports for management as necessary (e.g., Benchmarking Infections, Annual PI Report).
Serve as chairperson of the infection control committee and serve on various committees of the facility (e.g., safety committee, QAPI, RISK).
Assist in the nursing care plan function development, implementation, and maintenance of a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident in isolation or on infection control precautions that identifies the problems/needs of the resident, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care.
Assist with budgetary and budgetary planning functions, including assisting the Director of Nursing Services in preparing the budget for the department in relation to its infection control program and activities.
Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information; and adhere to Resident's rights.
Assist with Safety and Sanitation, including identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks with potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.
Assist Director of Nurses in Narcotic destruction per DEA regulatory guidelines in lieu of SDC.
Investigate and report to Federal/State Agencies as needed infection outbreaks.
Work with Local Board of Health and State Agencies as needed.
Perform other work-related duties as assigned in job description or requested.
Consistently provide service excellence to all patients, family members, visitors, volunteers and co-workers in a manner that reflects JML’s commitment to CARES: compassion, accountability, respect, excellence and service.