Infection Control/Associate Health RN

Coordinates the Infection Prevention and Associate Health programs through monitoring, providing guidance and recommendations. Develops and implements policies governing control of infections and communicable diseases utilizing current research and practice. Promotes the health and wellbeing of all staff through health assessment, education, immunizations, blood-borne pathogen exposure, follow policy in regard to diagnostic testing including labs, imaging and medications (under the direction/supervision of a physician), workplace injury programs, maintains log of incidents related to infections and communicable diseases and educates staff on issues related to regulatory requirements. Serves as a resource for Infection Prevention Specialists and Associate Health staff in multiple facility locations regarding Infection Prevention and Associate Health. Position is required to be recommended by Medical Staff and approved by the Board of Directors per the CMS regulations.

Required:

-Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN).
-Completion of basic surveillance course by a recognized body required or must complete with in one year of employment.
-A minimum of five years of acute care.
-Knowledge of general nursing and practice.

Certificates and Licenses:
-Current registered nurse licensure in the State of Kansas or has work permit from the State Board of Nursing.
-BLS certification required or must complete BLS certification with in the first two weeks of employment.

Preferred:
-Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) preferred
-Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred

Essential Functions:

-Coordinates the infection prevention program.
-Coordinates the associate health program.
-Coordinates the sepsis program and monitors the bundle compliance concurrently.
-Provides positive leadership by fostering an environment of teamwork, open communication, customer service and effective problem solving.
-Serves as a clinical resource to staff and assists with patient care when required.
-Reviews and revises policies and work instructions for compliance with regulatory standards and to improve the overall operation of the facility.
-Ensures that nursing standards of patient care and nursing practice are consistent with current nursing research.
-Studies trends in industry and identifies opportunities for service improvements and enhancements as it relates to infection prevention and nursing care.
-Monitors, addresses and finds resolutions to incidents of noncompliance of established quality and risk management standards.
-Ensures the compliance of policies and work instructions with regulatory standards and to improve the overall operation of the facility.
-Maintains familiarity with all relevant emergency management policies and procedures; participates in drills and post-event debriefings and provides constructive input to improve the processes.
-Reviews and signs off on the ICRA management for construction projects.
**Rounds in construction areas as needed.
-Coordinates the Infection Prevention Committee for the prevention and control measures of infections and communicable diseases. Significant infection prevention data/information shall be disseminated no less than quarterly to the committee.
-Coordinates the Sepsis Committee, reports on concurrent and abstracted data and identifies opportunities for improving.
-Coordinates the annual infection prevention goals as identified in the Infection Prevention Plan and Risk Assessment.
-Responsible for any local, state or federal infection programs the facilities are required to or voluntarily participates in (example-CDC National Safety Health Network).
-Assists the Director of Patient Quality Services with management and implementation of the BCBS Quality Based Reimbursement Program Measures as applicable to infection prevention.
-Provides quarterly infection data updates to Kansas at HaysMed quality website.
-Develops and participates in patient outcome comparative data bases - Evaluates own infection prevention practice in relation to Center for Disease Control (CDC) or Association of Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) and relevant statutes, regulations and accreditation standards.
-Reviews weekly electronic medical records (EMR) and laboratory reports concerning infectious disease, monitors occurrences and reports follow up procedures.
-Incorporates data into quality software systems as required.
-Prepares statistical reports for the infection prevention committee, medical staff and nursing.
-Gathers communicable disease reports by reviewing electronic record and lab reports or through interviews with nursing staff.
-Compiles and reports findings to Federal, State and Local agencies as required by standard.
-Maintains a log of incidents related to infections and communicable diseases, including Healthcare-associated infections (HAI).
-Coordinates mandatory vaccination programs.
-Coordinates mandatory respiratory mask fit testing.
-Coordinates the annual community drive through flu vaccination program.
-Provides staff educational training for vaccinations and proper hand washing techniques.
-Identifies communicable diseases that local, state, or federal health agencies require be reported.
-Maintains and updates the exposure control plan/policy on an annual basis.
-Provides blood borne pathogen, environmental and communicable disease exposure education to staff.
-Coordinates blood borne pathogen exposure follow up by counseling exposed staff.
-Works with workers compensation representative to ensure proper reporting of incidents.
-Reviews laboratory tests and makes recommendations for further testing.
-Provides required exposure follow-up.

HIPAA: This position will have access to the following Protected Health Information in order to carry out the duties related to their position at Hays Medical Center based on the following criteria:

Primary - required (routine) to do the job;
Secondary - required for the job, but mostly be exception; and
None - no approved access

Description of Information
Primary:
Patient Demographic Information (information used to identify a person): Name, Date of Birth, Address, Race, Marital Status, Religion

Clinical Information (information that describes a patient's health status): Diagnosis, Reports/Medical Notes, Test Results, Problem List, Procedures, History and Physical

Coding Information (clinical information that is in (alpha) numeric format): ICD-9 Codes, Rev Codes, CPT Codes

Financial Information/Insurance (information related to insurance, billing and payment): Billing Information, Payer Name, Payer ID, Account Balances, Plan Elements Covered, Payment Information, Payment Rates