Infection Prevention Nurse (RN)

Harbor Oaks Hospital•New Baltimore, MI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Harbor Oaks Hospital, a mental health and addiction treatment center in New Baltimore, Michigan, is seeking an Infection Prevention RN. This full-time role is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nurse coordinates and leads the facility’s infection prevention and control program and has clinical authority and responsibility for determining, preventing, and containing infectious outbreaks. The position requires a positive, empathetic, and professional approach, with patient safety as a priority. The role develops and implements facility-wide infection surveillance, prevention, and control policies and procedures in accordance with nationally recognized guidelines. It involves monitoring compliance, investigating exposure incidents, maintaining infection records, reporting findings to committees and leadership, and collaborating with the antibiotic stewardship program. The nurse also provides education and training to facility staff and medical staff on infection prevention practices, precautions, isolation techniques, and current infectious diseases.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing, medical technology, microbiology, or epidemiology.
Working knowledge of disease-causing agents, reservoirs, disease spectrum, carriers, modes of transmission, host factors that enhance susceptibility, colonization and infection, and infection-control approaches.
Knowledge of basic epidemiology principles and the infectious disease process.
Current professional license as required by the state for nurses in the role.
CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree preferred.
One or more years of experience in infection control preferred.
Certification by the Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology preferred.
First aid may be required based on state or facility.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement facility-wide infection surveillance, prevention, and control policies and procedures that adhere to nationally recognized guidelines.
Prevent and control health care-associated infections, including auditing staff and medical staff adherence to infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
Communicate and collaborate with the antibiotic stewardship program.
Develop an infection control plan with prioritized goals at least annually and when changes occur, based on the prior program evaluation and current risk assessment.
Gather and interpret data and maintain accurate records of infections.
Compile and present infection reports to the Safety/Infection Control Committee and Performance Improvement Council at assigned intervals.
Inspect the environment and observe personnel activities to detect infection hazards.
Monitor and evaluate compliance with facility policies and industry standards.
Monitor and update department supervisors on area-specific infection prevention policies and procedures.
Investigate exposure incidents and oversee post-exposure evaluation and follow-up, recommending appropriate actions.
Notify designated medical and administrative staff and appropriate health department authorities about reportable communicable diseases.
Develop and provide in-service and orientation programs on infection prevention and control, standard precautions, isolation techniques, and current infectious diseases.
Gather, analyze, and present infection prevention data, facts, and trends to facility or corporate leadership as needed.
Train facility staff and medical staff on infection prevention and control protocols.
Assess and reinforce infection prevention practices.
Communicate therapeutically and professionally with patients, visitors, coworkers, and others.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.