RN/LPN SDC/IP Nurse

TITLE: RN/LPN Infection Preventionist (OSHA Classification 2)

 

FLSA: Exempt

 

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for the daily routine operation of an environmental surveillance program to maintain a safe environment for facility residents and personnel. Responsible for ensuring that mandated in-service training is completed by all staff on an annual basis and for ensuring that all newly hired staff members receive an adequate orientation to the facility.

 

 

TITLE OF SUPERVISOR: Director of Nursing Services

 

TITLE OF IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATES:  N/A

 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS - Education / Experience

•       Registered Nurse licensed in the State of Massachusetts.

•       Minimum of one year of education or experience in geriatric nursing or rehabilitation preferred.

•       CPR certified.

•       Works in close cooperation with all department heads and facility personnel as appropriate.

•       Ability to read, write and comprehend English; ability to follow oral and written instructions.

•       Fluent knowledge of the MS Office suite and other office equipment.

•       Ability to work hours as scheduled based on the requirements of the position assignment.

Working Conditions: Works in an appropriately lighted and ventilated environment.  

Physical Requirements:

•       Must be able to move intermittently throughout the day, proper body mechanics required. Ability to perform physically demanding work involving frequent bending, stooping, turning, stretching, and reaching above the shoulders are involved.

•       Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics/equipment that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure meeting the requirements of this position.

•       Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.      Detects, records, and monitors nosocomial infections/communicable diseases and reports them to the Director of Nursing Services. 

2.      Manages outbreaks of disease within the facility and ensures appropriate communication with outside agencies.

3.      Acts as a resource person for all facility staff regarding personnel educational needs and awareness of the importance of infection control.

4.      Provides staff education and assures staff competencies as it relates to infection control policies and procedure. i.e., handwashing, isolation precautions, PPE, IV etc.

5.      Implements, under the direction of the Infection Control Committee, standards for surveillance of incidence of nosocomial infections, community acquired infections, conditions predisposing to infection and periodic review of the clinical use of antibiotics.

6.      Implements and Manages the Antibiotic Stewardship Program in accordance with current regulations.

7.      Implements a mechanism for monitoring and reporting infections in residents and environmental conditions with infection potential.

8.      Implements control measures including isolation policy, aseptic techniques, and a personnel health program.

9.      Institutes isolation precautions, as necessary.

10.  Maintains Infection Control Policy and Procedures in accordance with current regulations standards of practice. Participates in annual review revisions of these in cooperation with the Director of Nursing Services.

11.  Attends Medical Staff meetings and participates in QAPI.

12.  Develops written agenda for Infection Control Committee meetings, keeps minutes of meetings and makes reports to the Director or Nursing Services.

13.  Conducts monthly environmental surveillance rounds and reports findings in writing to the Administrator.  Discusses problematic areas with appropriate department heads.

14.  Manages the IV program and acts as the IV Coordinator.

15.  Manages the Wound Program and conducts weekly wound rounds, completes weekly tracking reports, identifies trends, and provides education on an ongoing basis.

16.  Assumes any duties assigned by the DNS to provide optimal quality resident care.

17.  Attends meetings as assigned by the DNS.

19.  Performs other related duties and attends meetings as deemed necessary by Supervisor / Administrator and or Director.

20.       Assumes full responsibility for in-service training and orientation of all facility staff and maintains appropriate records.

21.       Act as facility champion for Healthcare Academy (or other similar software) which facility utilizes for staff education/competencies, etc. 

22.       Assures competency of all nursing staff throughout their 90-day probationary period.

23.       Meets with new nursing staff and preceptors at regular intervals throughout orientation as well as prior to being released to the unit after orientation.

24.       Ensures the completion of skills sheets and that they are properly maintained in their personnel file.

25.       Maintains competency testing records on all staff.

26.       Provides education to staff as needed and for identified areas of need.

27.       Records and updates listing of employee participation at in-services. Coordinates with all department heads to ensure employee participation at mandated in-services. 

28.       Administers PPD and Hepatitis B Vaccine when new staff members are hired. Administers PPD’s annually to all staff. Maintains appropriate documentation.

29.   Prepares, schedules and updates monthly and annual calendars of in-service topics including mandated requirements. Secures appropriate and qualified trainers as necessary.

30.   Performs competency testing of all nursing employees. Assists other department heads with competency testing of their staff.

31.   Maintain all annual Life Safety/Fire Safety in-service records for all employees.

32.   Coordinate, Implement and Organize the new hire orientation program according to all state regulations and facility requirements.  

33.   Manages the Preceptor Program and assess, implements, and evaluates the program on an ongoing basis to meet the training needs of the facility staff.

34.   Assumes any duties that are assigned by the DNS to provide optimal quality resident care.

35.   Attends meetings as assigned by the DNS. Conducts ongoing needs assessment of facility and schedules educational programs as needed.

36.   Performs other related duties and attends meetings as may be deemed necessary by Supervisor / Administrator and or Director.

37.   Participates in the facility on call rotation schedule.

38.   Assumes duty of the charge nurse role as required. Maintains knowledge of the charge nurse role as well as proficiency with the Electronic Health Record.