Infection Control Specialist Registered Nurse

Job Summary

Supports the goals and objectives of organization in efforts to provide safe, quality patient care, patient satisfaction, Infection Prevention and Control and successful Joint Commission and DOH surveys. Assists with coordinating inpatient Infection Prevention and Control activities, in collaboration with the medical staff from all healthcare facilities within the system. Assists the processes and goals of the Infection Control Program under the supervision of the Infection Prevention and Control leadership and team members in collaboration with the System Medical Director for Infection Control.

Job Duties

• Coordinates and participates in the development and implementation of Infection Control Programs and activities in the assigned areas/departments.
• Identifies, recommends,and implements changes toimprove infection prevention and controlpractices andprovideseducationtoassuretheeffectiveness oftheInfection Control Program.
• Coordinates rounds in all patient care areas. Recommends changes in patient care and recommends departmentspecific education about infection control practices based on information collected or observed onrounds.
• CoordinatesimplementationandeducationabouttheInfectionControlPlanasassigned.Assists theSystemAdministrative Director forInfection Control withimplementationofhospital-wideinfection control activitiesbasedontheInfection Control Plan.
• ServesasresourcepersonforInfection Controlinitiativesat respective campus.
• Identifiesandrecordshospital acquiredinfections(HAis)perAct52requirements.
• Understands and communicates JC and other governing body requirementswhich relate toInfection ControlandGeisinger'sfulfillmentoftheserequirements. Activelyparticipatesinallsurveys
• Develops, reviews andrevisesinfectioncontrolpolicies andprocedures afterconsultation with leadership.
• Participates in surveillanceactivities to identify unusual epidemic situations, to evaluate theimpact of new proceduresorequipment andto evaluatehow the infection preventionandcontrol programimpactsthe delivery of patient care.
• Collaborateswith representativesof community health agencies andother institutions to assure coordinatedserviceforpreventionandcontrolofinfection.Assists PublicHealthauthoritiesintheinvestigationofreportable infections as required.
• Participates in continuing education programs toexpandknowledge ofprofessional discipline. Participates in health-relatedassociationsto maintain expertise and promote interestsof the health system,
• Developsandmaintains expertise relatedtotheCDCNationalHealthcareSafety Network(NHSN)reportingcriteria andrequirements.
• Performs concurrent andretrospective medicalrecordreview including reviewof physician’sprogress notesandnurses’notes, laboratoryculturedata,radiology/imagingreports,surgeryreports, toidentifypotentialHAis.

Work is typically performed in a clinical environment. Accountable for satisfying all job specific obligations and complying with all organization policies and procedures. The specific statements in this profile are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job. Additional competencies and skills outlined in any department-specific orientation will be considered essential to the performance of the job related to that position.