Infection Preventionist (RN or LPN)

Job description

INFECTION PREVENTIONIST

Job Description:

The infection preventionist is responsible for the facility infection prevention and control program (IPCP), providing a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.

Essential Job Duties:

Oversight of the Infection Prevention and Control Program, which includes, at a minimum, the following elements:

A system for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases for all residents, staff, visitors, volunteers and other individuals providing services under a contractual arrangement based upon the facility assessment and following accepted national standards;

Written standard, policies, and procedures for the program, which must include, but are not limited to:

A system of surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they can spread to other persons in the facility;

When and to whom possible incidents of communicable disease or infections should be reported;

Standard and transmission-based precautions to be followed to prevent spread of infections;

When and how isolation should be used for a resident; including but not limited to:

o The type and duration of the isolation, depending upon the infectious agent or organism involved,

o A requirement that the isolation should be the least restrictive possible for the resident under the circumstances.

o The circumstances under which the facility must prohibit employees with a communicable disease or infected skin lesions from direct contact with residents or their food, if direct contact will transmit the disease; and

o The hand hygiene procedures to be followed by staff involved in direct resident contact. A system for recording incidents identified under the facility's IPCP and the corrective actions taken by the facility.

Personnel must handle, store, process, and transport linens so as to prevent the spread of infection.

The facility will conduct and annual review of its IPCP and update the program as necessary. (§483.80(a)(e)(f))

Work together with the facility leadership and the medical director to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual infection prevention goals and action plan

Work with facility leaders, physicians, and local, state and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention

Establish a facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections of residents, staff, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread

Conduct outbreak investigations

Maintain a system for reporting possible incidents of communicable diseases to local, state, or national health agencies as required

Oversee the antibiotic stewardship program and monitor residents' antibiotic use

Assess the need for, develop and present IPCP in-service training for individual departments, general orientation, and annual review as needed; training includes but is not limited to:

Hand Hygiene

Cleaning and disinfection

Use of isolation precautions when indicated

Resident placement, transfer and discharge

Environmental hazards

Use of resident care products and medical equipment

Resident and employee immunization programs

Enforce policies prohibiting staff with communicable diseases or infected skin lesions from direct contact with residents and their food, and enforce hand hygiene policies consistent with accepted standards of practice

Serve as a member of the quality assessment and assurance (QAA) committee and report to the committee on a regular basis

Be accountable for surveillance of healthcare-acquired (HCA) and community-acquired (CA) infections for residents, staff visitors and volunteer

Maintain current knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and ensure that the facility leaders are informed of appropriate issues; understand and comply with infection control, safety and OSHA procedures and regulations

Qualifications & Education: Primary professional training in nursing, medical technology, microbiology, epidemiology, and have completed specialized training in infection prevention and control as specified in F880 of Appendix PP.

Must demonstrate a moderate level of computer literacy in order to use and access our systems and tools within our facilities to complete online tasks and documentation.

Must be able to effectively communicate and interact professionally with staff and residents.

Please note that all candidates must be able to perform the full range of job functions as outlined in this description to be considered for this position. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact Human Resources.

Worksite address

oklahoma city, OK, 73116, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.