Infection Control Registered Nurse Per Diem

Under the supervision of the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) the ICRN will be responsible for coordinating the activities Infection Prevention/Control Program by assuming direct responsibility for infection control related surveillance and monitoring activities, auditing, infection control reporting, staff training, and provision of infection control technical support and education for each facility staff. The Infection Control Registered Nurse maintains knowledge of, participates in further training provided, and understands the potential risks regarding occupational health hazards (e.g. bloodborne pathogen exposures).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – Infection Prevention:

• Develop and maintain a method of identifying and recording known or suspected infections in patients and employees. Provide Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) letters as clinically necessary.
• Carry out periodic inspections (minimum weekly) to ensure that procedures for the control of infections are being followed correctly.
• Collect and maintain statistical data in regards to the identification and control of infections.
• Coordinate closely with all departments to obtain information regarding patients and staff with suspected infections and ensuring control procedures are in place and adhered to. Human Resources will have oversight of employee health related issues.
• Monitor employee and patient illnesses and health activities, respond to problem situations in an urgent manner, and report the number and type to the Infection Control Committee.
• Initiate discussion regarding possible epidemiological causes of illnesses, specifically the determination of nosocomial versus community acquired infections.
• Contribute significantly to any interventions or recommendations made by the committee in response to the discussion about an illness.
• Coordinate with the Infection Control Committee to determine the direction of surveillance activities.
• Supportive infection prevention programming to support community infectious response (example: COVID-19, Influenza, Body Parasites).
• Identify objectives for infection control monitoring, data collection and reporting.
• Prepare monthly reports to the Safety/Risk Management Committee, Infection Control Committee, Medical Staff Committee, and Nursing Administration Committee that includes data on infection rates by nursing units, site, and pathogen.
• Report unusual clusters or outbreaks to Infection Control Committee and conduct investigations as appropriate.
• Notify the County and/or State Health Department/Board of any reportable diseases, adhering to all internal county and state procedures.
• Ensure that all information pertinent to surveillance monitoring and reporting is maintained and reported to the Infection Control Committee in a timely fashion.
• Alert all facility medical staff regarding any actual or suspected infection, and initiate culture and sensitivity testing and all appropriate control procedures.
• Develop and implement continuously improved patient care procedures and control mechanisms relating to infectious diseases.
• Help control the speed of infection in accord with infection control policies and procedures by ascertaining the nature of the infection and the steps to be followed and judge their degree of implementation.
• Identify the need for intervention in the care of patients and employees with infection and contact the appropriate individuals when necessary.
• Track all monitor infection data to evaluate and investigate trends and report all trends to appropriate facility staff.
• Evaluate and document the effectiveness of infection control activities.
• Participate in infection control education of all employees during orientation and annually thereafter, including classes in infection control practices and employee health.
• Act as a consultant in infection control for various hospital departments.
• Responsible for new employee orientation including but not limited to: Presentation, Fit Testing, Donning and Doffing Techniques, Hand Hygiene, Vaccination Clinics, Annual and Onboarding Employee Health needs.
• Assist with the development of an education program pertaining to the infection control within the facility.
• Coordinate with the Infection Control Committee to update and revise facility infection control policies, procedures and practices.
• Consult with the Infection Control Committee to provide information on infectious diseases, and infection control.
• In collaboration with hospital clinical department staff and leaders, continuously monitor all infections, and investigate and report on unusual events.
• Ensure the infection control procedures meet The Joint Commission (TJC), Texas Department of Public Health, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Local and County Health guidelines.
• Organize Infection Control Committee meetings and maintain all meeting minutes.
• Assist with the ongoing review of antibiotic usage as needed.
• Act as a liaison between the State/County Board of Health and Health Department.
• Adhere to facility, department and Corporate Personnel Policies and Procedures.
• Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
• Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.
• Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient/resident information.
• Monitor and consult with Medical Director to ensure antibiotic stewardship activities aimed at optimizing antibiotic utilization and attend appropriate meetings.
• Physical onsite support during survey preparation and actual survey activities.
• Perform annual risk assessments and work with QA/PI Director to establish plans and annual objectives.
• Maintain Infection Prevention Manual and policies and procedures related to hospital needs.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the hospital

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a healthcare related field and/or completion of an accredited nursing program preferred.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) upon hire or within 24 months of hire. If CIC is not in possession at time of hire, incumbent must obtain Associate Infection Prevention & Control (a-PIC) Certification within 180-days of hire.
• Must meet the minimum educational requirements for Certification in Infection Control (CIC) as defined by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working in a hospital setting preferred. Direct experience in an infection prevention role preferred.
• Current CPR certification (or obtained within 30 days of employment).
• Verbal de-escalation and physical intervention program as approved by the CNO.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of infection control procedures, OSHA, and CDC guidelines.
• Knowledge of the principles of epidemiology and infectious disease.
• Knowledge of the County Health department procedures and practices.
• Through knowledge of all infectious disease, disease warning signs, and response procedures.
• Knowledge of psychiatric and medical nursing procedures is essential.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.
• Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to use good judgement and to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Ability to demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication.
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to meet corporate deadlines.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit and stand (one-third of the shift) and walk (two-thirds of the shift).
• Ability to reach above, at or below waist height, kneel, bend, stoop, turn twist, and throw.
• Ability to see well enough to reach charts, treatment plans and typewritten materials.
• Ability to hear well enough to detect noises on the unit and to discern odors.
• Ability to frequently lift and carry 10 lbs., occasionally lift and carry, 10-50 lbs.
• Ability to frequently push/pull wheeled carts from 100-200 lbs.
• Ability to manipulate small and large tools (electric thermometer, telephone, wheelchair, blood pressure cuffs, walkers, paper punch, addressograph, restraints, staplers, EKG machine, copy machine).
• Ability to spend 95% of the workday inside in temperatures varying from 60 degrees -90 degrees F. and where noise levels ranging from low to high. 
• Ability to spend 5% of the workday outside in temperatures varying from 30 degrees-110 degrees F.
• Ability to frequently handle hazardous/infectious waste.
• Ability to work in an environment where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present and where dust, mist and steam are generated in housekeeping tasks.
• Maintain Material Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) for facility wide products.
• Ability to work frequently at a rapid pace and perform a variety of repetitive duties.
• Manage supplies related to prevention and containment of infectious diseases
• Maintain facility Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Cleaning Supplies “Burn Rates.”
• Ability to respond to exposure to blood and body fluids - category 1.

Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, company paid disability, 401(k) and a generous amount of paid time off.