Job Description

Essential Responsibilities: This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the major 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.

• Work with clinicians and administrators to improve resident and systems-level outcomes and reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs) and related adverse events. Evaluates current infection control status, goals, and develop action plan.
• Monitors compliance with mandates of accrediting and regulatory agencies related to practices associated with the prevention and control of HAIs. Conducts an annual review of the Infection Prevention and control Program as necessary.
• Maintains a system for reporting possible incidents of communicable diseases to local, state and/or national agencies as required.
• Monitors and benchmarks healthcare acquired infection rates to implement quality improvement activities designed to improve resident outcomes. Utilizes accurate methodology in the selection, risk adjustment and analysis of indicators. Completes the facility wide assessment to help determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during day to day operations and emergencies.
• Promotes awareness of the Health System’s compliance with all legal and accreditation standards and other guidelines and recommendations that pertain to the appropriate practice of infection control. Collaborates and provides liaison with local and state health departments for reporting of communicable diseases and other related conditions and assists with control of infectious diseases in the community.
• Works collaboratively with the Team Member Health program to reduce the incidence of communicability of infections between residents, staff, and other healthcare workers, volunteers and visitors.
• Intervenes directly to prevent transmission of infection by the identification and implementation of control measures during outbreaks or clusters of infectious diseases. Conducts investigation of all outbreaks.
• Provides educational programs in infection prevention and control to healthcare workers.
• In collaboration with the DON and other department leaders, monitors cleaning, disinfection and sanitation processes.
• Oversees antibiotic stewardship and monitors resident antibiotic use.
• Is a member of the facility Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) Committee and reports on a regular basis.
• Successfully completes any other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Current RN degree with BSN preferred or a Masters in Public Health (MPH) or certification as an Infection Preventionist.
• Experience
• 3-5 years LTC healthcare experience preferred. Previous infection control experience preferred.

Licensure

• Completion of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’S) “Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course”.
• Certification as Infection Control Practitioner (CIC) required within 12 months of hire or transfer – 24 months if no prior infection prevention experience.
• RN licensed to practice in the state of Georgia.