Infection Prevention Nurse - Echo Cliffs

Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation; Arizona; On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation is seeking an Infection Preventionist RN to lead hospital epidemiology efforts, surveillance, and reporting of hospital-acquired infections. The role includes educating staff and developing policies to meet Joint Commission, OSHA, and CDC requirements.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, an active nursing license, BLS, and CIC certification within one year of employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing is required.
• RN license to practice in any US state, Puerto Rico, or US territory.
• BLS certification required; CIC certification must be obtained within 1 year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular assessments to identify infection risks.
• Train staff on infection control techniques and protocols.
• Monitor and report incidence and trends of infections.
• Investigate infection reports and respond appropriately.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to implement infection control programs.
• Stay updated with current infection control practices and regulations.
• Provide guidance to patients and families on infection control measures.

Skills

Infection control

Data analysis

Staff education

Written and verbal communication

Leadership

Ethical standards

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Tools

Job description

Navajo Preference Employment Act

In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an Affimative Action Plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Pursuant to this Plan and corresponding TCRHCC Policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally-recognized American Indian Tribes will be given tertiary preference.

Overview

POSITION SUMMARY

The Infection Preventionist is a Registered Nurse trained in hospital epidemiology principles and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, and reporting of hospital-acquired infections. Educates employees about infection control and the development of health system policies and procedures to ensure rigorous infection control standards meet the Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Public Health Department, and Center for Disease Control (CDC) requirements.

Qualifications

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing

Experience

• Must have at least two (2) years of experience in infection control, prevention in a healthcare setting, and active engagement of infection prevention that includes the following: the trending, tracking and surveillance of infections, identification of specific infections in patients, managing risks (perceived or real) and complying with mandates issued by licensing and accrediting agencies, identifying, managing, reporting and following up on persons with reportable and/or transmissible diseases.
• In addition, verifiable experience in an employee health program; vaccinations, blood borne pathogen exposures, occupational exposures, and a TB risk assessment/ respiratory protection program.

License/Certifications

• A valid, current, full and unrestricted Professional Nursing License to practice nursing in any state of the United States of America, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States
• Must have and maintain a current valid certification of the following throughout employment:
• Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology from The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) must obtain within one year of employment

Other Skills and Abilities

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:

• Positive working relationships with others
• Collaboration with other departments and programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with all levels within the organization
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience in staff education and training
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
• Must have administrative and leadership skills, effective interpersonal relationships
• Able to plan and obtain objectives to ensure the development of service
• Good analysis and statistical collation skills; excellent written and verbal communication skills and proofreading skills
• Ability to compile, validate, and present data.
• Knowledgeable in the principles of sterilization, disinfection, and surgical asepsis
• Completion of and above-satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewees and Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screens indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical

This position requires an individual of high energy who can maintain a long and flexible schedule to meet the management requirements. The physical requirements include sitting at a desk for long periods of time, long periods of sitting in meetings; frequent sitting for intense work on a personal computer, prolonged ability to stand, bend, crouch maintain balance, and reach. This position requires frequent walking to interact with staff within the facility, and frequent twisting. This position may require occasional need to drive, climb and kneel. The incumbent must be able to hear, speak and comprehend over the telephone and in person with others. Must have ability to lift, push and pull up to 34lbs frequently. Sensory requirements for position include prolonged ability for far, near, and color vision, depth perception, seeing fine details, hearing normal speech, telephone use and ability to frequently hear overhead pages. Must have ability to utilize both hands in frequent manipulation doing in simple and firm grasping, fine manipulation, and prolonged use of keyboard.

Mental

Uses independent judgment and analytical skills to make decisions that impact operations, finances, and customer service within the organization. The incumbent must have the ability to perform in structured and unstructured environments and possess a keen attention to detail and propose practices/mechanisms to enhance customer satisfaction. Must have ability to continually cope with high levels of stress, make decision s under high pressure, cope with anger/fear/hostility of others in calm way, manage altercations, concentrate, handle a high degree of flexibility, handle multiple priorities in stressful situation, work alone, demonstrate high degree of patience, adapt to shift work, and work in areas that are close and crowded. This position requires accepting flexible schedule to meet unit needs.

Environmental

May frequently be exposed to infectious diseases, chemical agents, dust, fumes, gases, hazardous or moving equipment, unprotected heights and loud noises. Will require ability for prolonged exposure to extremes in Temperature or Humidity.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Conduct regular assessments of the facility to identify and mitigate potential infection risks
2. Train staff on proper infection control techniques and protocols
3. Monitor and report on the incidence and trends of infections
4. Investigate and respond to reports of infections
5. Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to develop and implement infection control programs
6. Stay up to date with current infection control practices and regulations
7. Provide guidance and education to patients and families on infection control measures applies epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target population, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies. Participates in investigations of unusual hospital infection outbreaks utilizing the microbiology laboratory, consultation with Infectious Disease specialists, county/state public health departments, and when necessary, in consultation with the Center for Disease Control. Report epidemiologically significant findings to appropriate customers. Collect data in support of epidemiological studies of specific problems or problem areas to determine the source of the problem and make appropriate recommendations. Conduct on-going surveillance using Center of Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria, documentation, and investigation of hospital-acquired infections through review of admission diagnoses, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, patient records, , post-discharge surveillance, and other pertinent information.
8. Conduct environmental rounds in all inpatient and outpatient care areas with either the Safety Officer and/or Departmental Director Collect data on the incidence of selected device use in identified patient care units. Assess environmental control through surveillance of water supply systems, temperature, humidity and air pressure relationships.
9. Develop and update isolation techniques and procedures in accordance with current standards of practice, rules and regulations. Participate in maintaining policies and procedures which provide for a program of preventive medicine for hospital personnel to include establishment of policies and procedures relating to exposure to infectious diseases and prevention of cross-contamination. Recommend and evaluate procedures or policy statements relating to infection prevention/control within TCRHCC; maintain an updated reference manual on infectious diseases and