Infection Control Coordinator - RN

GENERAL PURPOSE:

 Under the supervision and direction of the Boulder City’s Infection Control / EE / QI Nurse, The Infection Control /EE Nursing Coordinator will support the Nursing Administrative initiatives in the hospital and its affiliates. This role will have some operational impacts including but are not limited to serving as the point of contact for employees, vendors, and leadership. This role will work in tandem to assist with identified infection control programs, protocols; Quality Improvement program; and assist with staff education. This role will be a key support for ensuring data is entered and trending/analysis feedback is to hospital leadership in conjunction to CMS reporting per state mandated regulations. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Must be able to work under sustained pressure and during stressful situations. This role will perform responsible and moderately complex mid-level duties by troubleshooting, maintain, and modifies infection control process and/or protocols. Troubleshooting is done (in person, by telephone, or via work order) in a timely and accurate fashion and provide end-user assistance/education where required. Clinical reporting and technical report writing are some expected functions performed by this role. This position must offer great customer service to hospital and its affiliates and acts as a liaison between departments, Infection Control and vendors related to system issues resolution and training.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Infection Control

1.   Collaborates with all departments to incorporate infection control policies and procedures to provide a safe environment for facility patients and personnel.

2.   Conducts ongoing surveillance of infections concerning patients and personnel.

3.   Collaborates with Infection Control Nurse to identify epidemiological variations in the level of diseases and develops appropriate measures for prevention and control.

4.   Ensures reporting of infections and/or communicable diseases to appropriate regulatory bodies, as directed by the Infection Control Nurse, for prevention and control.

5.   Develops and participates in a Staff Development Program regarding prevention and control of infection for healthcare personnel.

6.   Monitors patient care activities to identify methods, techniques, equipment, supplies, new products, and/or specific policies or procedures that may constitute a risk of originating or transmitting infection.

7.   Influences changes through participating on appropriate committees.

8.   Continues self-education by reviewing current literature, attending workshops, seminars and formal courses relating to Infection control.

9.   Implements all Federal and state regulations and requirements.

Employee Health

1.   Assists in the new hire Employee Health process.

2.   Maintains employee health records.

3.   Administers the annual TB testing, Flu program and Mask Fit testing.

Staff Development

1.   Identifies, evaluates, and cooperates with pertinent regulatory agencies. In collaboration with other department managers, promotes and develops programs for orientation and continuing education for hospital and related health personnel.

2.   Assists department managers in maintaining competencies of their staff.

3.   Maintains staff education records, which includes documentation of all required education programs.

Quality Assistant

1.   Audit patient charts for required CMS Abstractions related to Quality Measures

2.   Establishes and maintains tracking systems as needed to maintain Quality Improvement programs.

3.   Coordinates concurrent and retrospective review studies performed within the quality improvement program and prepares resulting reports as required.

4.   Assists and can occasionally attends and reports to the Quality Improvement Committee on items related to infection control and CMS abstraction results.

5.   Keeps the Infection Control/EE Nurse and/or Chief Nursing Officer informed of departmental activities, needs and problems.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

For Operations:

1.   Works directly with other departments and medical staff to assure provision of highest standard for total patient care.

2.   Patient and family teaching to enhance patient’s understanding of his needs and potentially accelerate recovery.

3.   Liaison activities to promote a better understanding between patients, nursing staff and medical staff thus assuring continued quality of communication and care.

4.   Working knowledge of hospital wide EMR and associated software programs, e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.

For Personnel:

1.    Knowledge of and cooperation with personnel policies regarding the position.

2.    Provide moral support to nursing staff, co-workers, and medical staff.

3.    Possesses the following qualities: flexibility with scheduling; positive attitudes; easy adjustment to workload increase and demands; maintenance of good physical health.

For Staff Development:

1.     Actively participates in developing hospital educational programs.

2.     Each licensed nursing personnel shall have 30 contact hours of continuing education as required by licensure of the State of Nevada. This will be documented and should include workshops outside the facility.

For Quality Assurance:

1.     Report to Infection Control/EE Nurse and/or Chief Nursing Officer deviations in quality of care as outlined by current nursing standards.

2.     Cooperate with quality assurance programs and actively participate in ongoing concurrent Quality Assurance Monitoring. Including but not limited to Quality Committee and Safety Committee.

3.     Ability to pass high Efficiency Respirator Fit and Use Program as required by OSHA Vol. 58 No. 195

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

1.      Graduate from an accredited School of Nursing.

2.      Current Licensure by the Nevada State Board of Nursing.

3.      Current BLS Certification.

4.      Capable both physically and mentally for:

       a.        Close work with patients, their families, nursing staff and medical staff.

       b.    Demands of walking and standing during duty time. 

5.      Performs other reasonable related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.