Infection Control Nurse

Countryside Mental Health -

Key Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Infection Control Nurse is responsible for preventing and managing infections within the community. The ICN will report to the Director of Nursing.

The following is a general list of key job duties and responsibilities in your position. The list is not to be considered inclusive and you will be required to perform other duties/responsibilities as assigned by an authorized supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

Make written and oral reports/recommendations concerning the activities of your shift as required.

Cooperate with other resident services when coordinating nursing services to ensure that the resident's total regimen of care is maintained.

Ensure that all nursing service personnel are in compliance with their respective job descriptions.

Participate in facility surveys and inspections made by authorized government agencies as requested.

Interpret the department's policies and procedures to personnel, residents, visitors, and government agencies as required. Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as necessary. Perform routine charting duties as required and in accordance with established charting and documentation policies and procedures. Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

Review care plans daily to ensure that appropriate care is being rendered.

Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.

Implement and manage facility’s infection control protocols and standards

Keep facility up to date on all CDC guidelines

Stay up to date on the latest medical and clinical literature around the diagnosis, care, treatment, and risk factors associated with infectious diseases.

Accurately document and report infection control data to appropriate sources.

Provide infection control education to staff as directed.

Manage testing for the facility.

Provide oversight over all infection control procedures.

Gathering and analyzing infection data, facts and trends to other healthcare personnel.

Providing training and education to other medical professionals on prevention techniques.

Develop plans to prevent patients from spreading diseases throughout the facility.

Coordinator or leader of an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program.

Reinforcing the implementation of infection control practices as provided in the guidelines of the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).

Bringing rates of infection down within a facility.

Determining the origin of a particular pathogen by studying the makeup and composition of it.

Partners with the Medical Director for Epidemiology/Infectious Disease to develop, implement and evaluate annual infection prevention goals and action.

Essential Job Duties/Physical Requirements

The following is a general list of key job/physical requirements for your position. The list is not to be considered inclusive and other job/physical requirements may be necessary as deemed by the Facility.

• Regular worksite attendance.

• Must have a valid professional license (RN/LPN) that is in good standing with the State.

• Must have a valid CPR certification.

• Must have basic computer skills.

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

• Must be able to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.

• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

• Must be able to perform the essential position functions of the job with, or without reasonable accommodation.

• Employee is required to use a transfer/gait belt or to obtain the assistance of another employee when attempting to assist residents when lifting or carrying objects in excess of 25 pounds. The employee must be aware that during the normal, routine performance of the essential functions, some of the following body movements may occur naturally, although they may not be a requirement of the job.

• Primary Physical Requirements:

• Lift up to 10 lbs: Frequently

• Lift 11 to 25 lbs: Rarely

• Lift 26 to 50 lbs: Rarely

• Lift over 50 lbs: Rarely

• Carry up to 10 lbs: Occasionally

• Carry 11 to 25 lbs: Rarely

• Carry 26 to 50 lbs: Rarely

• Carry over 50 lbs: Rarely

• Reach above should height: Frequently

• Reach at shoulder height: Constantly

• Reach below shoulder height: Frequently

• Push/Pull: Constantly

• Hand Manipulation:

• Grasping: Constantly

• Handling: Constantly

• Torquing: Rarely

• Fingering: Constantly

• Other Physical Considerations

• Twisting, Bending, Crawling, Squatting, Kneeling, Crouching, Climbing and Balancing is required.

• Employee may be required to operate an automobile.

• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and hostile people within the Facility.

• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.