| Job Summary: Assumes responsibility and accountability for the surveillance of infections and for the hospital Infection Prevention and Control Program. In collaboration with hospital leadership, develops implements and evaluates the Infection Control Program. Responsibilities : - Develops the annual hospital wide Infection Control Plan; evaluates the effectiveness of the program and reports findings to leadership and appropriate committees.
- Assures systems are in place to report infection surveillance, prevention and control information to:
- appropriate staff in the hospital
- federal, state and local public health authorities in accordance with law and regulation
- accrediting bodies
- other referring or receiving hospitals or organizations needing information regarding the presence of infection in a patient received or transferred
- Plans, implements and directs the surveillance of infection of all departments and services that provide direct patient care or provide the support of patient care.
- Collaborates with Employee Health/Human Resources in the prevention and surveillance of infections among hospital personnel; includes interventions for immunization and/or treatment to staff and licensed independent practitioners.
- Identifies potential sources of nosocomial infection and implements actions to eliminate the source; and evaluates infection data to distinguish between nosocomial and community-acquired infection.
- Assists in identifying, monitoring and controlling outbreaks of nosocomial infection among patient and hospital personnel.
- Maintains surveillance in order to collect, analyze and trend data; provides accurate and timely reports to the Director of Continuous Quality and Performance Improvement, leadership and appropriate committees.
- Assures the hospital implements infection prevention and control activities to reduce the risk of infections associated with medical equipment, devices and supplies.
- Acts as a resource to hospital personnel in implementing isolation techniques or other infection control measures.
- Communicates and collaborates with the Laboratory in order to identify significant laboratory information.
- In collaboration with hospital leadership and personnel from applicable departments or services, reviews and revises the program to improve outcomes.
- Provides education for employees regarding infection control during orientation and ongoing in-services as required.
Professional Requirements: - Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
- Maintains regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and Joint Commission regulations.
- Maintains and ensures patient confidentiality at all times.
- Reports to work on time and as scheduled.
- Wears identification while on duty.
- Attends departmental in-services and completes annual competencies/education requirements.
- Works at maintaining a good rapport and a cooperative working relationship with physicians, departments and staff.
- Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
- Attends committee, CQPI and management meetings, as appropriate.
- Complies with policies and procedures regarding department operations, fire, safety, infection control and emergency management.
- Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
- Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the hospital, as well as the focus statement of the department.
Experience/Skills: - Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse, issued by the State Board of Nursing.
- Minimum of two (2) years of staff nursing.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, evaluate and direct activities of clinical personnel; effective oral and written communication skills, in English with additional languages preferred; proficiency in basic computer skills required.
- Qualified Infection Control Practitioner, Certification Board for Infection Control (CBIC), preferred.
Physical and Safety Requirements: - Good general health and stress coping ability. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Normal walking, standing, sitting, bending, carrying of light items such as books and papers and computer related work. Ability to clearly and effectively communicate with all constituents (patients, families, peers, and other healthcare team members) as needed for leadership, assessment, intervention, and professional development.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising patient care.
OSHA Exposure Determination: A key element for a successful Exposure Control Plan is to identify situations that place all employees at risk for exposure. To facilitate this, the Hospital maintains a list of job classifications and contact status for all employees in which employees have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This position has been identified as Category I: All employees who routinely have contact with blood or body fluids and/or used sharps. Job : Nursing Primary Location : OH-Beachwood-CHC Payroll - University Hospitals Rehab Organization : 6781 - CHC Payroll - University Hospitals Rehab Shift : Day |
