Registered Nurse (RN) - Infection Preventionist - Full-Time Day

Job Summary

The RN-Infection Preventionist (RN-IP) is a part of a team responsible for implementation of the infection prevention program and will perform ongoing surveillance and epidemiologic review of patients, employees and the environment for the facility / facilities. The RN-IP uses epidemiological principles and methods for identification and prevention of infectious diseases to patients and healthcare workers. The RN-IP is focused on surveillance, which is done to identify areas of risk and develop evidence based strategies to prevent the development of hospital acquired infections (HAIs). These strategies include staff and physician in-services as well as educational tool development. The position manages, studies, and educates on all aspects of hospital functions related to surveillance, prevention and control of infections for all patient populations.

The RN-IP works collaboratively with the data support specialist/analyst and the Subject Matter Expert (SME) / Manager to coordinate data collection and analysis and assists in the overall risk assessment of the inpatient and outpatient population. The position also provides support in the implementation of guidelines, policies and initiatives. The RN-IP is active in the identification, classification and reporting of all HAIs and when indicated, community acquired infections. The position will adhere to reporting standards as set forth by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other regulatory bodies and will enter this information accurately and timely into the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system. The RN-IP will work with the local and state health department to identify trends in reportable diseases.

Accountabilities

• Program responsibilities- 1. Implement/ participate in a hospital-wide infection prevention program, surveillance reports and the maintenance of the organizations' infection control plan.  2. Facilitate and provide input in the annual infection control program risk assessment/evaluation and the establishment of goals. 3. Accept delegated authority to monitor and resolve issues related to infection prevention. 4. Facilitate Infection Prevention program  compliance with the Joint Commission infection control standards, local, state and federal guidelines. 5. Participate in and promote antimicrobial stewardship. 
• Surveillance - 1. Under the direction of the SME / Manager of Infection Prevention, coordinate investigations of outbreaks, communicable disease exposures and potential transmission. 2. Identify the need for special epidemiologic studies, as well as setting standards, evaluating compliance and ensuring follow up. 3. Participate in department infection surveillance and prevention activities. 4. Carry out infection prevention standards and expectations, ongoing monitoring for timely reporting and meaningful results.  5. Reports all communicable diseases to public health officials.  Obtains and reviews culture reports from the laboratory.  6.  Collects, organizes  and  analyses data.  Prepares and submits reports to the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and Team and other facility / affiliate / corporate entities as indicated.  Prepares written documentation as required by the department. 7.  Maintain general knowledge of and ability to use the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) database.
• Analysis- 1. Provides interpretation and preparation of infection prevention and control data for key stakeholders including clinical staff, infection prevention leadership, infection control committees and facility leaders.  2. Monitors the data reliability and validity of the information used and submitted to third party reporting, reflecting the facility’s surveillance (i.e. NHSN) 3. Use tools and methods for improvement methodologies, including use of evidence-based tool kits and practices.  4. Participate in efforts for concurrent monitoring as needed for compliance and results based on new implementations or processes under review.  5.  Collaborate with the hospital epidemiologist and SME on a regular basis regarding trends in organisms and/or infections. 
• Performance Improvement - 1. Coordinate infection prevention & control improvement efforts with leaders across facilities, care continuum and facility service lines of division.  2.  Support all Safety  efforts. Role models expectations and techniques.  3. Collaborate with facility and department leaders to implement infection control best practices including the establishment of infection prevention and control related  policy and procedures.   4.  Facilitates and/or leads teams to enhance infection prevention efforts.  5.  Facilitates and/or participates in performance improvement activities to reduce healthcare associated infections.
• Consultation - Provides consultation on infection control risk assessment, prevention and control strategies (including activities related to occupational health, construction and emergency management). Provides consultation to patient care and other areas regarding isolation, PPE and cleaning and disinfection products and processes. The RN-IP is clinically trained and charged with consultation related to clinical practice and  procedures.  
• Education -Collaborate with education, facility and department leaders to implement infection prevention best practices.  Provide department based in-services based on request, new initiatives, and identified opportunities.  Develop infection prevention related education programs or assist with the develop of programs that have infection prevention related elements.  Serve as IP subject matter expert to facilities, engineering, safety, and contractors on indoor air quality, construction and new facility development.
• Standards of Practice - Follow the standards of practice that provide the IP framework and defines it’s specialty: surveillance, epidemiology, education, collaboration, consultation, program management, performance improvement, leadership, implementation science, research, technology, occupational health and fiscal responsibility.
• Exposure Management- 1. Collaborate with the Employee Health Department to conduct healthcare worker exposure management. RN IP has the capability of drawing blood and giving post-exposure medication. This includes exposure assessment, paperwork, counseling and facilitating proper treatment.  2. Serve as consultant to Employee Health related to infection prevention and control.
• Rounding - Make rounds a key mechanism to conduct surveillance and communicate with team members regarding infection prevention measures. Recognize potential hazards and take appropriate actions to minimize or eliminate them.  Participate in facility and department specific environment of care rounding (EOC, construction, HLD), regulatory tracers, project rounds and leader focused rounds.  Conduct unit-based rounds to ensure key elements of infection prevention are consistently in place throughout the hospital.