Infection Prevention Nurse

Hillcrest Healthcare•Knoxville, TN

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Prevention Nurse supervises and coordinates the facility’s Infection Control Program to support high-quality resident care. The role focuses on identifying and reducing infection risks for residents and personnel through surveillance, education, monitoring, and implementation of infection-control measures. The nurse works with facility leaders, staff, local health authorities, and committees, while supporting Hillcrest Healthcare’s emphasis on dignity, socialization, and whole-person care for residents.

Requirements

Current state license as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse.
Organized and detailed work performance.
Good communication skills, self-discipline, and patience.
Genuine caring for and interest in elderly and disabled people in a nursing facility.
Comply with Residents’ Rights and facility policies and procedures.
Meet the physical-demand requirements of the work and perform the essential duties.

Responsibilities

Inform the Director of Nursing, Medical Director, and Infection Control Committee about problems and progress in preventing and controlling infections.
Advise facility personnel on isolation policies and disease-specific precautions for residents with infections.
Serve as a liaison with the local health department for reporting infectious diseases and make recommendations to the Infection Control Committee.
Maintain communication with supervisors and nurses and act as the primary focal point for information about possible communicable diseases present at admission or acquired in the facility.
Review facility-acquired and nosocomial infections monthly and quarterly.
Investigate unusual epidemics, infection clusters, and infections caused by unusual pathogens.
Conduct facility rounds to verify that techniques and procedures meet standards established by the QA Committee and the Infection Control Policy and Procedure Manual.
Train personnel to complete Infection Surveillance Reports and supervise follow-up activities.
Assist with infection-control and prevention programs and with developing or implementing infection-control measures.
Attend Infection Control Committee and QA Committee meetings and coordinate implementation of committee recommendations.
Compile facility infection data according to policy and procedure and report it to the Infection Control Committee.
Work as a Charge Nurse if necessary.
Attend in-service education programs to meet facility educational requirements.
Know and follow Standard Precautions, the Exposure Control Plan, and fire drill and evacuation procedures.
Maintain confidentiality of resident and facility records and information.
Protect residents from neglect, mistreatment, and abuse, and protect residents’ personal property.
Perform other duties as directed by the supervisor or administrator.