RN Behavioral Health Manager Infection Prevention

Masonicare Behavioral Health Hospital - Wallingford, CT

Day Shift / 40hrs/wk

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for the system for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases for all patients, staff, volunteers, visitors, and other individuals providing services under a contractual arrangement, based upon the facility assessment conducted according to §483.70(e) and following accepted national standards

2. Responsible for written standards, policies, and procedures for the program, which must meet all guidelines, including Covid.

3. Responsible to establish a system for surveillance, based upon national standards of practice and the facility assessment, including the resident population and the services and care provided. It must be an established routine, ongoing, and systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of surveillance data to identify infections (i.e., HAI and community-acquired), infection risks, communicable disease outbreaks, and to maintain or improve resident health status. As part of the system of surveillance, identification and prevention.

4. Serves as the Infection Preventionist, as well as the chairperson for the Infection Control Committee.

5. Consults with Infection Control Committee concerning the implementation of infection control program and helps in the development of data gathering, establishment of policies and procedures, and control measures.  Keeps committee informed of all surveillance findings and control activities, and makes recommendations as appropriate.

6. Consults with other nursing personnel on the implementation of infection control policies and procedures.        Reviews microbiology reports for pathogens and exercises authority in implementing such control measures as isolation and corrective actions, as appropriate.

7. Makes regular rounds investigating potential infections.  Maintains an on-going record of each infection noted.  Completes timely logs and communicates all pertinent information, i.e. infection situations, to appropriate personnel.        Assists where possible in resolving problems and concerns; concentrate on maintaining a climate of effective communication with the health care team.

8. Collects statistics, prepares, and presents regular reports to the infection control committee, medical executive committee, and appropriate department heads. Creates interventions and education plan based on monthly inspection report and observed areas of improvement needed. Works as the primary person to gather data and report CLABSI, CAUTI, C. Difficile, staff influenza, covid reporting and vaccination reports to NHSN and all other appropriate regulatory agencies.

9. Implements infection control measures, teaches and demonstrates infection control to all facility personnel involved in patient care. Provides in service education on an on-going basis or as needed to all Departments meeting OSHA and Public Health Regulations. Provides education to newly hired employees on Infection Control isolation Guidelines.

10. Develops and updates infection control and isolation policies and procedures.

11. Follows policies and procedures in place to address any outbreak occurrences for Behavioral Health Hospital. Serves as the responsible person for timely reporting of communicable diseases to public health officials. 

12. Collaborates with laboratory partner regarding the antibiogram report and communicates best proposal to medical providers for treatment recommendations and interventions. 

13. Keeps accurate records of infections, trends, etc. and presents a detailed report summary at the quarterly medical staff meeting. 

14. Understands and follows Standard Precautions as it pertains to potential exposure to all body fluids. Utilizes techniques of infection control.  Acts as a role model in this area.

15. Provides guidance and monitors health care providers in meeting infection control practices and standards for cleaning, sanitation, disinfection and sterilization.

16. Addresses various aspects of patient/resident health, including hygiene, skin care, urinary catheter care, TB screening, and immunizations.

17. Collaborates with the Pharmacist on Antibiotic Stewardship program and compliance.

19. Performs additional duties as assigned.

20.  Attends meetings/calls from all regulatory agencies and affiliations on a regular basis to keep current on Infection Control issues.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:                   Registered Nurse

Infection Control Certification preferred

Wound certification preferred

Experience: Minimum of five years of clinical nursing supervisor experience and 1-3 behavioral health experience preferred.  Experience in clinical information systems preferred.  Experience in project planning and implementation preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:             RN license in State of Connecticut.  ICN certification preferred. IP certification and wound certification preferred.  

Key Competencies:     Behavioral Health Hospital, health care environment, managed care, health systems and financial systems preferred.  Knowledge and understanding of nursing professional practice, hospital/long term care systems, systems theory, patient care management, and business management.   Clinical, business and interpersonal skills to have the ability for decision-making, dealing with changes and communication with people of diverse goals and professions.  Understanding of the needs of the geriatric population and needs related to the aging process.  Ability to work in a time-oriented environment including exposure to all patient elements.  May be exposed to environmental hazards.

This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the essential responsibilities and duties of the job, but is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.