INFECTION PREVENTION RN - Infection Control - Full Time - Days

Sierra View Medical•Porterville, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Prevention Registered Nurse (RN) reports directly to the Manager of Infection Prevention. This role is responsible for educating, conducting surveillance, and participating in the organization-wide Infection Prevention Program and its activities. The position assumes responsibility and accountability for assuring the department achieves its mission and clinical expectations for patient assessment, treatment, and care, and is competent to deliver care appropriate to the ages of patients served. In the absence of the Infection Prevention Manager, the RN will assume 24-hour, 7-day week coverage. The role requires participation in emergencies and community disasters, and as a designated disaster service worker, assisting in times of need is mandatory. The employee must work well under pressure, meet deadlines, and demonstrate cooperative behavior.

Requirements

Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) required or must be actively enrolled in a BSN program and obtain their degree within two (2) years of hire.
Minimum of two (2) years of Acute Care experience in an Acute Care hospital setting.
Familiarity with organization and functions of all departments.
Familiar with policies and procedures, and regulations relating to Infection Prevention.
Working knowledge of Microbiology, Epidemiology, infectious diseases, aseptic techniques, and current practices.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence if required.
Ability to calculate figures, ratios, proportions, and percentages if required.
Knowledge of statistical calculations.
Knowledge of basic computer software.
Must have and maintain license as a Registered Nurse in the state of California.
Must have and maintain current BLS certification or obtain within orientation process, prior to hands-on patient care.

Nice To Haves

Preferably two (2) years in Infection Prevention.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with the Infection Prevention Employee Health Manager to plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and coordinate the Infection Prevention program in accordance with current CDC guidelines and definitions, TJC standards, and Federal and DOH state regulations.
Ensures program compliance with regulatory guidelines and recommendations, including providing supervision for the Employee Health Services LVN staff members.
Provides education to staff, community, licensed independent practitioners, students, and volunteers in infection prevention precautions and aseptic techniques.
Conducts surveillance activities hospital-wide, both inpatient and outpatient areas, to detect and record all hospital-acquired infections and implements appropriate intervention strategies.
Confers with staff nurses on all patient units to determine the occurrence of healthcare associated infections.
Reviews and analyzes cultures and sensitivities reported by the microbiology of patients and personnel to determine if hospital-acquired.
Confers with Infection Prevention/Employee Health Manager, nursing and medical staff to determine appropriate implementation of isolation precautions.
Investigates infections, especially those occurring above established thresholds and/or in clusters by patient units.
Initiates cultures and sensitivity and/or appropriate isolation precautions when indicated.
Provides the Manager of Infection Prevention with a report of pertinent findings and recommendations pertaining to hospital-acquired infection.
Maintains a written record of all patients placed in isolation or on infection prevention precautions, as well as those residents and employees who have hospital-acquired infections.
Submits required reports, in conjunction with analyst, to appropriate authorities and regulatory compliance agencies (e.g., NHSN reporting of MRSA, VRE, C.Difficile, Central Line Insertion Practices, Influenza Data, Urinary Catheter lines, Ventilators, Central Lines, and surgical site infections).
Acts as a liaison with the Public Health Department and other local, state, and federal agencies.
Actively participates in achieving and maintaining department compliance with all state, federal, and third-party regulatory agency standards, ensuring the department is 'survey ready' at all times.
Provides information to the Infection Prevention Manager to demonstrate continuous improvement in department-specific measures that benchmark the organization's performance against national standards.
Documents compliance with established hospital policies and procedures.
Promotes vaccinations of staff and patients as necessary. Administers and reads PPD tests. Gives influenza vaccinations to staff and LIP. Assists Employee Health in immunization projects and other related infection prevention activities.
Prepares reports for committees, Senior Administration, and/or Board of Directors.
Documentation reflects compliance with established hospital policies and procedures.
Makes rounds with physicians, as necessary.
Provides education to families related to communicable diseases, prevention of disease, and prevention of transmission.
Works in conjunction with Employee Health, and other departments, to coordinate/implement the Safe Patient Handling & Mobility Program.