INFECTION CONTROL COORDINATOR

POSITION SUMMARY: - Assists with the planning, organization, development, coordination and direction of the Nursing Department in its Programs and activities in accordance with current Federal, State and Local guidelines and regulations, accepted standards of practice and as may be directed by Administration and/or Director of Nursing

REPORTS TO:

• Director of Nursing

JOB FUNCTIONS:

A job description cannot fully identify all examples of work performed by an employee and should be used as a guideline in understanding the nature of the position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the essential functions of the position if work is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two (2) years minimum experience in a long term facility, or other related health care facility.
• A working knowledge of epidemiology, microbiology, infectious diseases and aseptic technique.
• Knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations and guidelines that pertain to long term care and infection control; including isolation precautions.
• Current license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the State of New York.

THE FOLLOWING DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB THAT MUST BE SATISFACTORILY MET WITH OR WITHOUT ACCOMMODATION

DEPARTMENTAL:

• Assists with the planning, organization, development, coordination and direction of the Nursing Department in its Programs and activities in accordance with current Federal, State and Local guidelines and regulations, accepted standards of practice and as may be directed by Administration and/or Director of Nursing.
• Assist Medical Director in the revision/development of Policies and Procedures that are related to health services issues.
• Directly supervises assigned staff which includes but is not limited to, participating in orientation, manage staff performance in relation to the position's standards, and monitor time and attendance.
• Exercises good independent judgment and discretion in effectively managing assigned staff by, but not limited to, conducting performance appraisals, corrective disciplinary action and other supervisory interventions which may affect a change in the assigned staff's status of employment.
• Makes recommendations to Department Head or designee, as to the hiring, firing, advancement, promotion or any other change in employment status.
• Carries out major assignments in conducting the Horizon Care Center Infection Control Program.
• Investigates and resolves matters of significance on behalf of management.
• Nursing responsibilities have a significant impact on the clinical care operations of the facility.
• Has the authority to formulate, affect, interpret, and implement management policies and operating practices with regard to Nursing responsibilities.
• Responsibilities affect facility operations to a substantial degree.
• Maintains a written record of all residents who have nosocomial infections.
• Compiles and maintains Statistics of all nosocomial infections and comprehensive analysis of same.
• Monitors the appropriate use of precautions and personal protective equipment.
• Provide the facility with monthly and quarterly reports of nosocomial statistics as well as pertinent findings and recommendations for the prevention of spread of infection.
• Assists in the reporting of all reportable diseases to the City/State health departments.
• Prepare summaries of special investigations on the occurrence of nosocomial and community acquired infections of residents.
• Monitors infection control practices and procedures for employee compliance to facility protocol.
• Assists all departments in evaluating and classifying routine and job related functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified.
• Monitors effectiveness of resident immunization program.
• Serves on, participates in and attends Infection Control Committee meeting.
• Assists the Infection Control Committee in evaluating and revising infection control practices including aseptic technique.
• Ensures that all major changes in cleaning procedures or cleaning products are approved by the committee.
• Assists in evaluating and implementing recommendations from the Infection Control Committee.
• Provides the Infection Control Committee with quarterly written/statistical reports concerning all nosocomial infections within the facility.
• Represents the Infection Control Committee as required.
• Employee Health Functions
• Assists the facility in developing and implementing an effective employee health program.
• Monitors all reported employee cases of infectious diseases for the prevention of spread of infection.
• Assists in the development and implementation of employee's vaccination programs as well as post exposure treatments.
• Maintains exposure reports in a confidential manner.
• Develops, implements, and maintains an effective orientation program as well as ongoing inservice training classes and education programs pertinent to infection control.
• Assists departments in the revision/development of policies and procedures to prevent and control the spread of infection.
• Quality Assessment and Assurance Functions
• Serves on, participates in and attend Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee meetings as indicated.
• Conduct Quality Assessment and Assurance audits as outlined in facility's program and report pertinent findings/corrective actions/recommendations to appropriate disciplines, as well as to the committee.
• Meets with staff to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas pertaining to infection control.
• Is required to work all shifts including weekends.
• Participates in emergencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

FACILITY-WIDE:

• Must possess the ability to consistently come to work as assigned, including coming to work regularly and on time.
• Must possess the ability to adhere to the time recording policy, including adhering to meal/break policy/schedules, as assigned.
• Must comply with departmental dress code requirements including prominently wearing one's ID card, and maintaining normal levels of personal hygiene and professional appearance.
• Must have the ability to satisfactorily meet work performance and productivity standards as they relate to the position.
• Must participate in and adhere to facility programs and activities such as but not limited to, employee health, safety, security and corporate compliance.
• Must participate in facility mandatory in-service and job training programs and activities, as assigned.
• Must perform all duties and all interactions in accordance with current Federal, State, Local guidelines and regulations, Facility policies and procedures, and accepted standards of practice.
• Must have the ability to uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity and honesty in matters of conduct and behavior as it pertains to work performance, position and profession.
• Must have the ability to effectively and professionally cope with and manage interactions with patients/residents and their family members and/or visitors, as well as, co-workers, to ensure the best possible care, customer service and satisfaction.
• Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality in all matters concerning Horizon Care Center resident/patients as well as assigned computer/software and work product.
• In an emergency, may be asked to perform other functions as deemed necessary.

JOB COMPETENCY:

• Must maintain and timely provide facility with current license/certification as required by the position.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language with sufficient proficiency to meet the essential functions of the position.
• Must possess the ability to utilize critical thinking skills and make good independent decisions when circumstances warrant such actions.
• Must possess leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with professional and non-professional personnel.
• Must function independently, demonstrate flexibility and have the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing Nursing Department practices.
• Must demonstrate ability to maintain satisfactory competency levels and professional standards of practice.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the essential functions of this position can be fully met.
• Must have the ability to operate a computer or use prosthetics or devices that will enable such use.
• Must be physically able to operate Horizon Care Center specific equipment in relation to the position or use prosthetics or devices that will enable such use.

SETTING:

• Must be able to perform duties throughout Horizon Care Center.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, climb, stretch, and bend with sufficient ability to meet the essential functions of the position.
• Must be able to stand, lift, push and pull at least 50 lbs
• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability with sufficient proficiency to meet the essential functions of the position.
• May be subject to frequent interruptions
• May be subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.
• Must be able to work beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• May be exposed to infectious or communicable diseases (i.e. Chicken pox) and conditions including HIV and the Hepatitis B Virus
• Is exposed to odors.
• Is subject to stay or call back during an emergency (such as but not limited to severe weather, utilities failure, evacuation, disasters etc)