Infection Control Nurse Job Avalon area,California USA,Nursing

Infection Prevention Nurse

The Infection Prevention Nurse is a hybrid clinical and infection prevention role responsible for coordinating, implementing, and monitoring the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program across Emergency Services, Acute Care, Swing Bed, Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), and clinic settings. This role provides direct bedside nursing support while ensuring compliance with CMS, CDPH, and organizational infection prevention standards in a rural Critical Access Hospital environment.

The Infection Prevention Nurse integrates infection prevention standards into daily clinical operations through frontline clinical support, surveillance activities, staff education, outbreak management, and regulatory oversight.

All employees are expected to perform their duties in alignment with CIH's mission, values, and vision. This position is responsible for supporting safe patient care, infection prevention compliance, regulatory readiness, and operational excellence while treating all individuals with respect and dignity.

Essential Functions

Provides direct patient care and bedside nursing support as assigned across Emergency Services, Acute Care, Swing Bed, SNF, and clinic settings.

Serves as a clinical resource and role model for infection prevention practices including hand hygiene, PPE use, isolation precautions, and environmental safety.

Reinforces infection prevention standards during admissions, procedures, patient care activities, and transitions of care.

Assists with staffing support during surges, outbreaks, staffing shortages, or operational emergencies while maintaining infection prevention oversight.

Collaborates with nursing leadership and frontline staff to support safe clinical workflows and patient outcomes.

Coordinates and supports the facility-wide Infection Prevention and Control Program in compliance with:

CMS Conditions of Participation for Critical Access Hospitals
CMS Requirements of Participation for Skilled Nursing Facilities
CDPH regulations and guidance

Conducts ongoing surveillance for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) across acute care, SNF, and clinic settings.

Tracks, trends, analyzes, and reports infection prevention data and identifies opportunities for intervention.

Participates in outbreak identification, investigation, containment, and reporting activities.

Monitors infection prevention practices including device care, isolation procedures, cleaning and disinfection standards, and employee compliance.

Ensures timely and accurate infection-related reporting including:

CDPH reportable diseases and outbreaks
NHSN reporting as applicable
Internal leadership and governing body reporting

Maintains infection prevention logs, policies, procedures, audit tools, and documentation in accordance with regulatory standards.

Maintains readiness for CDPH, CMS, and other regulatory surveys and inspections.

Participates in tracers, audits, corrective action planning, and follow-up activities related to infection prevention compliance.

Provides education, coaching, and competency support to staff, providers, and ancillary personnel regarding:

Standard and transmission-based precautions
PPE selection and use
Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices
Infection prevention policies and regulatory expectations

Supports onboarding and annual competency activities related to infection prevention practices.

Promotes a culture of accountability, patient safety, and infection prevention awareness throughout the organization.

Collaborates with Quality, Nursing, and Leadership teams on infection prevention and patient safety initiatives.

Participates in root cause analyses (RCA), infection-related event reviews, and corrective action follow-up.

Supports integration of infection prevention metrics into QAPI activities and organizational dashboards.

Performance Requirements

Knowledge of acute care nursing practices, CAH regulations, and mixed-acuity patient management.

Knowledge of telemetry monitoring, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and EKG procedures.

Knowledge of medication administration, IV therapy, and clinical equipment common to acute care.

Strong clinical assessment and critical-thinking skills, especially in an environment with limited on-island specialty support.

Skilled in prioritizing care for varied patient conditions.

Effective communication with providers, staff, and families.

Competency in emergency response and stabilization.

Ability to operate independently and collaboratively in a rural CAH setting with limited immediate resources.

Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced or emergent situation.

Ability to maintain accurate documentation that meets CAH and acute care regulatory standards.

Ability to lead and supervise LVNs, CNAs, and support staff as needed.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a Critical Access Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility, and Rural Health Clinic setting. Frequent interaction with patients, physicians, staff, visitors, and regulatory representatives is…