LVN, Infection Prevention Full-time Days

KPC GLOBAL MEDICAL CENTERS INC.•Hemet, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for preventing the transmission of infectious agents within the hospital. This includes identifying disease processes, recognizing significant organisms, interpreting diagnostic reports, and implementing infection prevention strategies. The role involves surveillance of admissions and laboratory reports to identify healthcare-acquired infections, conducting outbreak investigations, and participating in rounding. Data collection for epidemiological studies and inputting infection data into the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) are key functions. The position also involves performance improvement activities, developing and implementing educational programs for hospital employees, serving as a liaison to community agencies, and ensuring compliance with national standards and regulating bodies such as JCAHO, CMS, CDC, and OSHA.

Requirements

Possession of Associate Degree in Nursing or successful completion of an accredited Nurse Program as evidence by licensure, from a recognized college or university.
Minimum 2+ years’ experience in acute hospital care
Minimum of 1- 2 years of acute care infection control and epidemiology experience preferred
Possession of a valid license to practice as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the State of California.
Knowledge of Federal, state and local, (CMS, The Joint Commission, OSHA, CDC etc.), regulations pertaining to infection prevention and control
Knowledge of Principles of public administration, organization, and supervision
Knowledge of Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs
Demonstrates computer literacy (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and Power Point)
Ability to Understand and interpret laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to clinical patient safety and infection control
Ability to Effectively develop, introduce, and implement policies, procedures, and programs design to limit exposure, reduce errors and control costs
Ability to Analyze complex issues and prescribe effective interventions
Ability to Establish and cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work
Ability to Effectively communicate utilizing verbal and written communication skills
Ability to Maintain current knowledge of developments in the field of clinical patient safety and infection control.
Maintains, demonstrates and is assessed on the knowledge and skills necessary to provide for physical, psychosocial and cultural needs appropriate to patients of all ages on the continuum of life.

Nice To Haves

BSN preferred
Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred; required within 2years of date of hire or transfer
Basic course in Infection Control / Epidemiology within 9 months of date of hire or transfer – hospital will sponsor

Responsibilities

Preventing the Transmission of Infectious Agents
Identification of infectious disease processes
Recognize epidemiologically significant organisms for immediate review and investigation
Interpret results of diagnostic/laboratory reports
Identify indications for environmental microbiological monitoring
Report communicable diseases to public health departments
Assists with implementation of infection prevention and control strategies related to controlling the transmission of infectious agents.
Surveillance
Assists with outbreak and exposure investigations
Participates in environmental, and safety unit rounding
Reviews daily admission diagnoses and readmissions to identify potential readmissions for healthcare acquired infection.
Reviews and researches all positive laboratory culture reports to validate healthcare acquired status.
Identifies problems of surveillance findings, develops plan of approach and communicates plan appropriately to the Director of Infection Prevention.
Data collection in support of epidemiological studies of specific problems or problem areas to determine the source of the problem and make appropriate recommendations
Uses the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) infection definitions and inputs all infection data into NHSN.
Performance Improvement: Utilizes appropriate Quality Assurance monitoring activities to address issues of potential risk of infection for patients or employees. Documents problems and implemented control measures in performance improvement projects
Management and Communication: Assist with the planning, organizing, development and implementation of educational programs for all hospital employees including administrative and ancillary services.
Functions as hospital liaison to community agencies as well as other Health Care Providers; provides internal expertise on communicable disease issues to hospital staff
Assists with development and review of infection prevention and control policies and procedures
Regulatory: Maintain compliance with national standards and regulating bodies such as JCAHO, CMS, CDC, OSHA, etc