Infection Preventionist Registered Nurse (RN), Part-Time

Community Hospital•Grand Junction, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist RN is responsible for case finding, surveillance, analysis and interpretation, reporting, inspection, education, consultation, and recommendations to prevent and control infections. The position helps ensure Community Hospital meets infection prevention standards established by external agencies, including the CDC, CMS, The Joint Commission, WHO, APIC, and OSHA. The role conducts ongoing surveillance using applicable external-agency criteria and supports epidemiological studies to determine the sources of specific problems. It develops, updates, and implements isolation techniques and procedures in accordance with current standards, rules, and regulations, and supports adherence to those procedures for patients with healthcare-acquired infections. The Infection Preventionist collaborates with public health agencies, physician offices, Occupational Health, hospital departments, and the education department. The role keeps hospital facilities and environmental services informed about infection prevention activities and policy or procedure changes; advises on staff TB testing and immunizations; and establishes and facilitates infection prevention education for employees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
Unrestricted Colorado nursing license.
Current certification in Infection Control (CIC).
Three years of Infection Prevention experience in an acute care setting.
Five years of clinical experience.

Responsibilities

Conduct case finding, ongoing surveillance, analysis and interpretation, reporting, inspection, education, consultation, and make recommendations to prevent and control infections.
Help ensure Community Hospital meets infection prevention standards applied by external agencies, including the CDC, CMS, The Joint Commission, WHO, APIC, and OSHA.
Use applicable accredited external-agency criteria for surveillance and support epidemiological studies to identify the sources of specific problems or problem areas.
Develop, update, and initiate isolation techniques and procedures according to current standards of practice, rules, and regulations, and ensure adherence to them for patients with healthcare-acquired infections.
Collaborate and network with CDPHE, Mesa County Health Department, CHA, and physician offices as applicable to the Infection Prevention Program.
Keep hospital facilities and environmental services informed about infection prevention activities and relevant policy and procedure changes.
Collaborate with Occupational Health and departments regarding individuals with potential or actual exposure to infectious or disease processes.
Advise on annual TB testing requirements, staff Hepatitis immunization, annual staff influenza immunization, and assessment of staff immunization status.
Establish employee infection prevention education requirements and adjust them to departmental needs; work with the education department to facilitate training.