Infection Prevention Nurse

Job Summary

The Infection Prevention Nurse is trained in outpatient epidemiology principles and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, interpretation and reporting of community acquired infections and surgical/procedural site infections; educating employees about infection prevention; and the development of health system policies and procedures to ensure rigorous infection control standards that meet TJC, OSHA, Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other nationally organized agencies’ recommendations and requirements.

The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Vice President of Quality and Clinical Services in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer/Director of Infectious Diseases.

• Analytical and Critical Thinking
  • Apply epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target population, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies.
  • Conduct ongoing surveillance using CDC infection criteria, documentation, and investigation of infections through review of microbiology culture results, patient records, consultation requests and post-op visits.
  • Participate in investigations of unusual infection outbreaks in conjunction with county/state public health departments, and when necessary in consultation with the Center for Disease Control. Report epidemiologically significant findings to appropriate customers.
  • Interpret data to determine when patients/employees are at risk for infection and take appropriate measures including notifying physician and/or Director of Operations.
  • Implement and coordinate the execution of the infection control plan.

• Communication
  • Report all patients with communicable disease to the county and/or state health department and maintain appropriate records. Compile and interpret surveillance reports to appropriate Senior Leadership on a regular basis.
  • Collaborates with local and state health departments in the prevention, control, and appropriate reporting of communicable diseases.
  • Collaborate with the Director, Quality to plan, organize, develop and implement educational programs for all employees including administrative and ancillary services which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase employee awareness of nosocomial infections; techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for employees and patients.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of specific conditions, diseases, and treatment therapies for the specific patient/health care worker population in the organization.
  • Serve as a knowledgeable and available resource on infection control practices and policies to patients, families, and employees.
  • Develop appropriate informational materials at appropriate level of understanding and need.
  • Participate in infectious disease research including monitoring and contacting study participants, consenting, and study visits as assigned.

• Planning and Organizing
  • Assist in the organization of regularly scheduled Infection Control trainings and dissemination of recommendations.

• Problem Solving and Decision Making
  • Assess environmental control through surveillance of hand hygiene, water supply systems as needed, and air pressure relationships for high risk environmental monitoring.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the surveillance plan and modify as necessary.
  • Collect data in support of epidemiological studies of specific problems or problem areas to determine the source of the problem and make appropriate recommendations.
  • Participate in quality/performance improvement activities by assessing, monitoring, and measuring nosocomial infections and evaluating outcomes on a…