Infection Preventionist-SNF-TCH-Sacaton

Position Summary: The Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for identifying, investigating, monitoring, and reporting healthcare-associated infections. The IP collaborates with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies. The IP is responsible for facility compliance with CMS Long Term Care Standards or Joint Commission. Coordinates facility's infection control and prevention program.

Critical Tasks:

• Oversees infection prevention plan and infection prevention and control program.
• Oversee vaccines/immunizations for all patients.
• Continually evaluates all patient care and infection prevention procedures and activities within the facility while making recommendations for and taking all necessary steps toward continuous patient care improvements.
• Designs and oversees a systematic, comprehensive, and data-driven Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) approach to maintaining and improving facility safety and patient/resident care quality while involving all caregivers in practical and creative problem solving.
• Approaches all opportunities and necessary operational remediations rapidly and with a high-quality methodology while engaging other staff members similarly.
• Evaluates and takes all necessary corrective steps regarding any individual employee(s) not complying with facility patient/resident care policies, infection control policies and procedures, and all regulatory requirements and statutes.
• Establishes and continually updates written standards, policies and procedures for all patient/resident care purposes and all patient-facing staff members.
• Provides highly effective education on multiple subjects while using multiple instructional designs for all staff members so that full facility regulatory compliance may occur.
• Takes all steps necessary to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment while preventing the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.
• Maintains full responsibility for the Infection Prevention and Control Policy while continually ensuring compliance by all staff members with that program.
• Develops and implements an infection prevention and control program (IPCP) to prevent, recognize, and control the onset and spread of infection and reviews/updates the IPCP annually and as necessary. This includes timely revision of the IPCP as national standards change.
• Establishes facility-wide systems for the prevention, identification, investigation and control of infections of residents, staff, and visitors.
• Establishes and oversees surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they can spread to other persons in the facility as well as procedures for reporting possible incidents of communicable disease or infections.
• Develops and implements written policies and procedures for infection control.
• Oversees patient/resident isolation procedures including the type of isolation and duration depending on the infectious agent or organisms involved.
• Establish and oversees successful antibiotic stewardship program that includes antibiotic use protocol and contemporary prescribing practices.
• Compares laboratory reports with communicable diseases list to identify conditions that require infection control procedures.
• Advises and consults with physicians, nurses, and other facility staff members concerning precautions to be taken to protect patients, staff, and other persons from possible contamination or infection.
• Investigates infection control problems and arranges for follow-up care for persons exposed to infection or disease.
• Instructs hospital personnel in universal and specific infection control procedures as well as general patient/resident care procedures.
• Conducts and maintains facility assessments and reports on a scheduled and as needed basis.
• Performs bedside nursing services and patient/resident care on a frequent basis.
• Oversees employee immunization program while assuring that available immunizations are offered to all interested employees.
• Performs occasional scheduled duties on an equal basis with other nursing administrators as nursing administrator on call.
• Participates actively and constructively on the Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee.
• Demonstrates ability to regularly change priorities to accomplish all tasks despite frequent interruptions.
• Demonstrates ability to clearly communicate, both orally and in writing, while performing all essential functions.
• Performs other special projects and duties as assigned.

Required Qualificatins:

• Graduate of a Registered Nurse nursing program from an accredited university or college, Bachelor's Degree preferred, or Master of Public Health (MPH) with Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) certification.
• Registered Nurse licensure in Arizona in good standing or qualified Compact Licensure.
• Detailed and updated knowledge of infection control regulations and best practices.
• Successful completion of a certified Infection Preventionist Specialized Training program - IPCO within 90 days of hire
• 2 years of nursing experience in infection control. Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC preferred) or, attainment within 2 years after employment - for Registered Nurse, and required for MPH.
• Successful completion of APIC EPI 101 and 102 Training program within 180 days of hire unless CIC certified.
• CIC certification within 2 years- Registered Nurse, required for MPH.
• Current and continuing BLS training and CIC certification
• Employment at the Caring House requires AZ Department of Public Safety Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Demonstrated ability to relate to diverse cultures and specifically the Gila River Community and/or other Native American cultures and community health services.