Infection Control Nurse

Registered Nurse (RN)

General Purpose

The primary responsibility of your job position is to supervise the day-to-day nursing activities of the facility during your tour of duty.  Such supervision must be accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations that govern the facility and may be required by the Director of Nursing (DON)and or/Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) when applicable, to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.  

Essential Duties

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position. 

Administrative Functions

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, coordinate, and direct our infection control program in accordance with

current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern such requirements in nursing care facilities.

• Ensure that the facility follows current CDC, OSHA, and local regulations concerning infection control or

standard/universal precautions.

• Develop, maintain, and periodically update infection control precautions and aseptic technique that successfully correct

problem areas.

• Interpret infection control policies and procedures as necessary.

• Maintain a reference library of written infection control material that will assist the facility in meeting the day-to-day

needs of the isolated resident.

• Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the infection

control program of this facility.

• Assist all departments in evaluating and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks involving

exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified.

• Monitor infection control practices and procedures to ensure that all personnel are implementing our standard operating

procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.

• Make rounds to nursing units for the purpose of case findings, review of environmental sanitation procedures, and

supervision of isolation precautions/practices.

• Visit isolated residents as necessary to ensure that established isolation precautions and aseptic technique are followed.

• Ensure that laboratory support is available, including microbiological and serological services.

• Review and analyze infectious disease laboratory reports and consult with the Director of Nursing Services in

developing the care plan for assuring that aseptic techniques are implemented.

• Assist in developing and implementing guidelines for the decontamination and sterilization activities performed in the

facility.

• Perform periodic testing of our prepared sterile packs, bundles, and supplies, including sterilization equipment.

• Monitor the designated shelf life of medical items wrapped and sterilized at the facility. Reprocess as necessary.

• Ensure that all personnel follow established procedures for the disposal and removal of infective and contaminated

materials from the facility.

• Prepare monthly summaries of all resident/personnel infections, corrective action taken, and the results of the

corrective action. Submit copies to the Administrator and Director of Nursing Services.

• Prepare summaries of special investigations on the occurrence of nosocomial and community-acquired infections.

• Provide the Director of Nursing Services with a report of pertinent findings and recommendations pertaining to

nosocomial infection.

• Maintain a written record of all residents and employees who have nosocomial infections.

• Participate in surveys of possible carriers among residents and personnel, and in tracing possible sources of infection

within the facility.

• Assist the Director of Laundry Services in developing infection control procedures for the handling of clean and soiled

laundry/linen, equipment cleaning, etc.

• Assist the Director of Environmental Services in developing infection control procedures for the routine and terminal

cleaning of isolation rooms and areas, equipment cleaning, etc.

• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as may be

directed.

• Assist the Discharge Planning Coordinator in developing and implementing discharge plans for the resident in isolation

or on infection control precautions.

• Assist in the development and implementation of a facility-wide TB management control program.

• Report all reportable diseases to the county and state health departments.

• Perform administrative duties such as completing medical forms, reports, evaluations, studies, charting, etc., as

necessary.

Committee Functions

• Serve on, participate in, and attend Infection Control Committee meetings.

• Represent the Infection Control Committee as required.

• Assist the Infection Control Committee in evaluating and revising our infection control practices and aseptic technique

to ensure continued sanitation practices are maintained throughout the facility.

• Assist the Infection Control Committee in establishing the criteria for classifying all routine and reasonably anticipated

job-related tasks to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.

• Provide the Infection Control Committee with written and oral reports concerning all nosocomial infections within the

facility.

• Ensure that major changes in our cleaning products or techniques are approved by the Infection Control Committee.

• Assist in evaluating and implementing recommendations from the Infection Control Committee.

• Provide information relative to TB assessment and make recommendations concerning the protocols to follow in

isolating TB cases.

Personnel Functions

• Develop and implement a practical system of detecting, evaluating, recording, and reporting infections that originate

with facility personnel.

• Assist the personnel director in developing and implementing our employee health services program, to include

individual counseling.

• Provide employee counseling as outlined in our infection control and employee health program.

• Provide personnel with information concerning the facility’s policies governing hepatitis B vaccinations.

• Assist in establishing the TB Mantoux testing and recordkeeping protocols for all employees.

• Orient new employees to the importance of infection control policies and procedures, personal hygiene,

handwashing/hand hygiene techniques, etc., as well as the employee’s responsibility in following our established

procedures for tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids.

• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals in accordance with

the facility’s policies and procedures governing accidents and incidents.

• Meet with the staff to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services, as

necessary.

• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with all department directors and personnel to ensure that infection

control services and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and

organizations

Review complaints and grievances made or filed by department personnel.

• Make appropriate reports to the Administrator and/or Director of Nursing Services as necessary.

• Report known or suspected incidents of fraud to the Administrator.

• Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected

automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

Nursing Care and Consultation Functions

• Participate in the interviewing and selection of residents for admission to the facility.

• Ensure that all nursing service personnel follow established isolation precautions and aseptic technique to include

standard/universal precautions.

• Ensure that residents with known communicable or infectious diseases are placed in isolation or on infection control

precautions to include standard/universal precautions.

• Interview residents or family members and explain isolation and standard/universal precautions as necessary.

• Make rounds with physicians as necessary.

• Encourage attending physicians to record and sign progress notes, physicians’ orders, etc., on a timely basis and in

accordance with current regulations.

• Monitor medication passes and treatments to ensure that appropriate handwashing/hand hygiene techniques are being

followed in the handling and administering of drugs, medications, and treatments.

• Review nurses’ notes of those residents in/on isolation precautions to ensure that they are informative and descriptive

of the nursing care being provided and that they reflect the resident’s response to the care.

• Assist nursing service personnel in performing nursing care procedures as necessary.

• Obtain culture samples in accordance with our established procedures.

• Provide direct nursing care as necessary

Staff Development • Participate in developing, planning, conducting, and scheduling in-service training classes that provide instructions on “how to do the job,” and ensure a well-educated nursing service department. • Assist the In-service Director/Educator in developing annual facility in-service training programs (e.g., OSHA, TB, HIPAA, Abuse Prevention, Safety, Infection Control, etc.). • Assist the Director in planning clinical supervision for nurse aide trainees. • Attend and participate in continuing education programs designed to keep you abreast of changes in your profession, as well as to maintain your license on a current status. 

Safety and Sanitation • Assist the Safety Officer in developing safety standards for the nursing service department as necessary. • Assist the Director and/or Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and jobrelated functions to ensure that tasks in which there is potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded. • Ensure that all personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood/body fluids participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing such tasks. • Ensure that an adequate supply of personal protective equipment is on hand and readily available to personnel who perform procedures that involve exposure to blood or body fluids. • Ensure that personnel follow established procedures for the use and disposal of personal protective equipment. • Monitor your shift’s personnel to ensure that they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies. • Ensure that all nursing service personnel comply with established departmental policies and procedures. • Ensure that nursing service work areas (i.e., nurses’ stations, medicine preparation rooms, etc.) are maintained in a clean and sanitary manner. • Ensure that all resident care rooms, treatment areas, etc., are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner. • Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established handwashing and hand hygiene procedures. • Ensure that nursing service personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner. • Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the infection control program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among the residents and personnel. • Ensure that nursing service personnel follow established infection control procedures when isolation precautions become necessary. • Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of the procedures for reporting hazardous conditions or equipment. • Ensure that all personnel wear and/or use safety equipment and supplies (e.g., back brace, mechanical lifts, etc.) when lifting or moving residents. • Report missing/illegible labels and MSDSs to the safety officer or other designated person. 

Equipment and Supply Functions • Recommend to the Director the equipment and supply needs of the department. • Ensure that an adequate stock level of medications, medical supplies, equipment, etc., is maintained on premises at all times to meet the needs of the resident. • Assist the Maintenance Director in developing a preventive maintenance program for maintaining the nursing service department’s equipment and supplies in a safe and operable manner. • Participate in the development and implementation of the procedures for the safe operation of all nursing service equipment. • Ensure that only trained and authorized personnel operate the nursing service department’s equipment. • Ensure that all personnel operate nursing service equipment in a safe manner. • Monitor nursing procedures to ensure that nursing service supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste. • Ensure that appropriate MSDSs are on file for hazardous chemicals used in the nursing service department.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions • Participate in the development of written preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the nursing needs of each resident as necessary. • Participate in the development of a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identifies the problems/needs of the resident, indicates the care to be given, goals to be accomplished, and which professional service is responsible for each element of care. • Encourage the resident to participate in the development and review of his/her care plan. • Review resident care plans for appropriate resident goals, problems, approaches, and revisions based on nursing needs. • Ensure that all personnel involved in providing care to the resident are aware of the resident’s care plan. Ensure that nursing personnel refer to the resident’s care plan prior to administering daily care to the resident. • Review nurses’ notes to determine if the care plan is being followed. • Assist the Resident Assessment/Care Plan Coordinator in planning, scheduling, and revising the MDS, including the implementation of RAPs and Triggers. • Review resident’s medical and nursing treatments to ensure that they are provided in accordance with the resident’s care plan and wishes. 

Budget and Planning Functions • Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations, and recommend to the Director adjustments in nursing services that ensure the continued ability to provide quality care. • Recommend to the Director the equipment needs of the nursing service department. • Report suspected or known incidence of fraud relative to false billings, cost reports, kickbacks, etc. 

Supervisory Requirements  

Assist with the overall supervision of and management of the nursing staff. As RN, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.  

Qualification

Education and/or Experience

Must posess, as a minimum, a Nursing Degree an accredited college or university. Must have training in rehabilitative and restorative nursing practices. 2 years or more experience preferably in a long-term care facility.      

Language Skills

Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language. Ability to read technical procedures.  Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers and employees.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Must possess  

• the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action with the ability to solve practical problems.  

• the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.  

• leadership and supervisory ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and supervise other personnel.

• the ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures, etc., that are necessary for providing quality care.  

Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.  

Be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.  

Must be knowledgeable of nursing and medical practices and procedures, as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines that pertain to nursing care facilities.  

Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.  

Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing nursing practices.  

Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as an RN in this state. Current CPR certification.

Knowledge and experience with PCC preferred.  

Must maintain all required continuing education/licensing.  

Must remain in good standing with the State Board of Nursing at all times.

Physical Demands

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.

Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

Must function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.

Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.

Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.

Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet. May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.  

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Works in office area(s) as well as throughout the nursing service area (i.e., drug rooms, nurses’ stations, resident rooms, etc.). Moves intermittently during working hours. Is subject to frequent interruptions. Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances. Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors. Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel, and other department directors. Works beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary. Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.). Is involved in community/civic health matters/projects as appropriate. Attends and participates in continuing educational programs. Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other air contaminants. Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses. May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Maintains a liaison with the residents, their families, support departments, etc., to adequately plan for the residents’ needs.  

Additional Information

Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.  The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.