Infection Preventionist Nurse

Goodwin Living•Alexandria, VA

2d•$82,000 - $95,500

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for the facility infection prevention and control program (IPCP), which is designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable. environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections. CMS definition: "Infection Preventionist": term used for the person(s) designated by the facility to be responsible for the infection prevention and control program.

Requirements

Must have completed specialized training in infection prevention and control.
Licensed as an RN in Virginia.
CPR certification required.
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in nursing with progressive supervisory experience, preferably in a long-term care environment.
Knowledge of Federal and State regulations required.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
Must be proficient in computer skills.
Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with others.

Responsibilities

Oversight of the IPCP which includes, at a minimum, the following:
A system for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases for all residents, staff, volunteers, visitors, and other individuals providing services under a contractual arrangement based upon the facility assessment and following accepted national standards.
Written standards, policies, and procedures for the program which must include but are not limited to:
A system of surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they can spread to other persons in the facility.
When and whom possible incidents of communicable diseases or infections should be reported.
Standard and transmission-based precautions to be followed to prevent infections.
When and how isolation should be used for a resident, including but not limited to:
The type of duration of the isolation, depending upon the infectious agent or organism involved, and
A requirement that the isolation should be the least restrictive possible for the resident under the circumstances.
The circumstances under which the facility must prohibit team members with communicable disease or infected skin lesions from direct contact with residents or their food if direct contact will transmit the disease.
The hand hygiene procedures to be followed by team members involved with direct resident care and contact.
A system for recording incidents identified under the facility’s IPCP and the corrective actions taken by the facility.
Team members must handle, store, process and transport linens to prevent the spread of infection.
The facility will conduct an annual review of its IPCP and update their program, as necessary. (§483.80[a]-[f])
Maintain a system for all mandatory reporting to include but not limited to NHSN, Local Health Department, VHD /NHSN testing portal, and notification to licensing bodies, residents and resident representatives.
Oversight of Team Member Health, including the following elements:
Leading Goodwin Living Orientation (GLO) presentations at Goodwin House Alexandria.
Completing initial new hire HEP B & TB screening and forms, then filing these once they are signed by the Medical Director.
Uploading team member forms into Docuware (for GHA and TVA)
Completing annual TB screens for GHA and TVA, then filing screening forms.
Administering HEP B vaccine (3-series)
Reviewing and clearing new hire TB tests/xrays
Collaborate with the facility leadership and the medical director to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual infection prevention goals and action plan.
Partner with facility leaders, physicians, and local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention.
Establish a facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections of residents, staff, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread.
Conduct outbreak investigations.
Maintain a system for reporting possible incidents of communicable diseases to local, state, or national agencies as required.
Oversee the antibiotic stewardship program and monitor residents' antibiotic use.
Assess the need for, develop, and present IPCP in-service education for individual departments, general orientation, and annual review as needed
Assess the need for, develop, and implement written policies and procedures for infection control, including those for standard precautions and for transmission-based cautions, including when these should be used, the duration of use, and the type of precautions needed for a particular infection or organism.
Enforce policies prohibiting staff with communicable diseases or infected skin lesions from direct contact with residents and their food and enforce hand hygiene policies consistent with accepted standards of practices.
Serve as a member of the quality assurance process improvement committee.
Be accountable for surveillance of healthcare-acquired and community-acquired infections for residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and ensure that the facility leaders are informed of appropriate issues; understand and comply with infection control, safety, and OSHA procedures and regulations.