SNF INFECTION PREVENTIONIST

SOUTHERN INYO HEALTHCARE DISTRICT•Lone Pine, CA

26d•$47 - $72•Onsite

About The Position

The Southern Inyo Healthcare District (SIHD) Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for identifying, investigating, monitoring, and reporting healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in the Distinct Part (D/P) Skilled Nursing Facility at SIHD. The IP collaborates with departments and individuals to create, provide feedback on, and sustain infection prevention strategies, and designs, manages, and evaluates the facility's Infection Prevention and Control Program (ICPC) to protect residents, staff, and visitors. The IP merges clinical surveillance with data-driven quality improvement. The IP tracks infections, is an active member of the Antibiotic Stewardship Program with the Medical Director and Pharmacy, ensures compliance with all regulatory agency mandates, and drives Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives. This role is full-time and onsite.

Requirements

Current California Nursing License, Maintained in Good Standing
College Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, or a Related Field
Valid CPR and BLS Certification, Kept Current During Employment
Satisfactory Completion of the Conditions of Employment Under Hr-032, Including Criminal Background Clearance as Required by California Law for Long-Term-Care Personnel, Drug Test, Tuberculosis and Other Required Health Clearance, Physical Exam, and Satisfactory References
Ability to Meet Immunization and Health-Clearance Requirements Applicable to Long-Term-Care Personnel
Knowledge of CDPH Title 22, CDC, NHSN, OSHA, and CMS Infection Control Program Regulations
Knowledge of NHSN Reporting Guidelines and Timelines, the NHSN Reporting Portal, and Mandatory SNF Reporting Requirements for HAIs
Knowledge of Surveillance Methods and Standardized Infection Definitions, Antibiotic Stewardship, and MDRO Management
Familiarity with CDPH Survey Processes and Guidelines, and Inyo County Public Health Resources and Reporting Processes
Knowledge of Outbreak Investigation, Contact Tracing, and Quality-Improvement Methods
Ability to Communicate Clearly in Both Oral and Written Forms Using the English Language
Ability to Respond to Common Inquiries or Complaints from Residents, Patients, Physicians, Peers, Regulatory Agencies, or Members of the Business Community
Ability to Work Independently, Set Priorities, and Manage Multiple Deadlines
Ability to Work with Confidential Information and Handle Protected Health Information Consistent with HIPAA
Ability to Collect, Analyze, and Present Data and Use it to Drive Improvement
Ability to Tolerate Wearing Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Prolonged Periods

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred
Two or More Years of Experience as an Infection Preventionist
Two or More Years of Experience as an LVN Or RN
Knowledge of and Previous Experience with Infection Control Surveillance
Board Certification in Infection Control, Such as CIC or LTC-CIC Through CBIC, and Membership in a Local APIC Chapter
Bilingual English/Spanish Ability
Experience With NHSN, QAPI, Survey Readiness, And Outbreak Response in a Skilled Nursing or Long-Term Care Setting

Responsibilities

Performs surveillance of residents and staff when indicated, reported to have infections, or reported to have infections by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting documented data.
Maintains the Infection Line List and Surveillance Report for each resident who has an infection, and an Infection Control Log for each infection occurring in the facility monthly.
Maintains a tracking log for MDRO infections and reviews antibiotic resistance patterns, especially MDROs (MRSA, VRE, CRE, ESBL, and others).
Collaborates with laboratory staff on any results flagged with an MDRO.
Summarizes data for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
Develops an annual surveillance plan based on the population served, services provided, and analysis of surveillance data, and evaluates and modifies it, and the Infection Prevention and Control Policies and Procedures, as needed and no less than annually.
Completes required reporting to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), CDPH, and Inyo County Public Health, with accuracy and on time.
Participates in the Antibiotic Stewardship Program and the Infection Control Committee to ensure safe and appropriate use of antibiotics.
Reviews every antibiotic order to confirm a proper indication for use and appropriateness for the resident based on criteria being met, including whether cultures were done before treatment, the physician starting therapy, and the length of therapy and any changes during the course of treatment.
Reviews, monitors, and reports antibiotic usage patterns, and collects and reviews the types of antibiotics used in the facility.
Coordinates and consults with the pharmacist or pharmacy consultant on antibiotic use, and communicates with physicians regarding appropriate use of antibiotic medications.
Shares feedback with physicians on individual prescribing patterns, including cultures ordered and antibiotics prescribed.
Reviews the assessment by the facility nurse for appropriateness of care for infection control and adherence to isolation policies and procedures, according to evidence-based practices, including Standard Precautions, Transmission-Based Precautions, and CDC Enhanced Barrier Precautions.
Completes the Infection Risk Assessment and Scale upon admission and when changes in condition occur.
Conducts resident tuberculosis screening during admission using a 2-step Tuberculin Skin Test, with a chest x-ray when the skin test is positive, consistent with CDPH guidance and District policy.
Directs the immunization program for influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and pneumonia, ensures informed consent or declination is completed, and maintains a current immunization log for all residents.
Performs daily rounds in the facility to identify infection-control issues and problems, and conducts in-service education when needed to correct known problems.
Performs hand hygiene observations and documents findings for all departments, including clinicians and outside contracted providers.
Conducts and reports findings of environmental rounding for infection control compliance in general maintenance, plumbing and ventilation, food preparation and storage, laundry collection and cleaning, infectious waste collection and disposal, housekeeping and cleaning, disinfection and sanitation, and equipment cleaning.
Confirms, investigates, and reports outbreaks, and leads response efforts and contact tracing for outbreaks such as influenza, COVID-19, and gastrointestinal illness.
Manages and follows up on employee and resident exposures to infectious diseases, in coordination with Employee Health.
Notifies the Medical Director, Director of Nursing, Administrator, and Public Health Authorities as required, and recommends admission, visitation, or staffing restrictions to the Medical Director and Administrator.
Ensures all Infection Prevention and Control Policies and Procedures are complete, up to date, and carried out.
Maintains the Infection Prevention Quality-Control Plan and the Annual IPCP Risk Assessment.
Provides infection prevention education at the time of hire, no less than annually, and when training or re-education is required or needed.
Assists Employee Health with education programs for staff on proper infection control practices.
Acts as subject matter expert and resource within the SNF to residents, families, staff, partners, providers, visitors, the community, and public health personnel on infection prevention and control measures, including identification of infectious disease processes.
Creates a process for demonstrating infection prevention competencies following each training activity.
Attends Quality Improvement Committee (monthly) and QAPI (quarterly) meetings and participates as a member of the QAPI Committee.
Collects and gathers data for committee review and reports monthly, quarterly, and annual findings of infection control data review and analysis to the QA Committee.
Complies with the SIHD Attendance Policy requiring regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
Complies with HIPAA and District privacy and security policies, and handles confidential information and protected health information as authorized and necessary for assigned duties.
Adheres to all District policies and procedures, completes work promptly in compliance with state and federal regulations, accepts new assignments, and initiates new projects as indicated.
Demonstrates flexibility and willingness to adapt to workday expectations as the need arises, and performs other duties as assigned.