Infection Control Preventionist &EE Health RN-Part-time

Position Summary

The Infection Control Preventionist and Employee Health Nurse (ICP) provides a comprehensive infection control program by current standards of practice and compliance with regulatory agencies and governmental policies and procedures. The ICP aids the Quality Department with a monthly audit/process improvement program. Administers the goals of the infection control and quality programs, including protecting patients, healthcare workers, volunteers, students, visitors, and others in the healthcare environment; and accomplishing the goals cost-effectively. Additionally, this role serves as a Registered Nurse who provides direct and indirect nursing care for Nexus Children’s Hospital employees, contract employees, and non-employee groups, with particular emphasis on occupational health. The Nurse Clinician utilizes established protocols and current standards of care to meet the wide variety of healthcare needs of the Nexus Children’s Health-Dallas population.

Job Specific Responsibilities

Infection Preventionist Role:

• Establishes and revises guidelines and processes to meet current practice standards.
• coordinates multidisciplinary Infection Control Program.
• Coordinates the Infection Control Dashboard and necessary reporting through the appropriate committee.
• Collaborates with the Quality Department to complete required audits and process improvement programs.
• Assists with training/education/coaching staff on the quality improvement indicators.
• Implements all infection control regulations/standards required by CDC, TDADS, APIC, and state or other governmental agencies.
• Uses nationally recognized definitions and best practice guidelines to maintain a practical surveillance program that incorporates the systematic and current review of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), significant communicable diseases, and environmental events with potential impact on the patient, visitor, and healthcare provider safety
• Competent in Infection Control Practices, including Isolation Precautions, hospital surveillance, and construction projects
• Implements procedures to monitor and control potential infections.
• Complete routine surveillance activities, monitor trends and assist with appropriate corrective action for infection control and quality.
• Develop and provide annual training materials for Infection Control and within the Quality Department, as directed.
• Provide continuing education on IC practices as necessary for staff.
• Serve as a member of the facility Safety Committee and the Quality Committee and aids in facilitation and meeting minutes for the Infection Control Committee.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other leaders to address findings of the various dashboards and databases. (Licensure database, employee health database, Infection Control, Quality, and Plant Operations Dashboards.)
• Coordinate multidisciplinary performance improvement teams to ensure compliance with all regulatory bodies during any development/construction on campus, including CDC, OSHA, TDADS, APIC, CARF, DARS, and DNV.
• Maintain, monitor, and review policies and procedures annually.
• Participate and facilitate the policy review and form committees in concert with quality.
• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development in infection prevention.
• Proficient with computer programs to complete job duties independently.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Employee Health Role

• Completes Employee Health visits per organization policy and department protocols.
• Provides safe, competent, and efficient nursing care for minor and acute injuries and illnesses via protocols and medical directives.
• Monitors employee work-related illness and injury trends and assesses, develops, and implements strategies to prevent work-acquired injury or illness and expedite return to work.
• Performs bloodborne pathogen exposure assessment, treatment, and follow-up.
• Participates in preventative screening programs (e.g., TB skin testing, influenza, hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, and other appropriate immunizations) and surveillance programs designed to identify and monitor employee health risks.
• Safely administers and appropriately documents immunizations and TB skin tests given to UW Health employees per protocol.
• Perform communicable disease exposure follow-up.
• Identifies and refers employees with personal health needs to the EHS MD, NP, or personal physician when appropriate.
• Counseling employees on physical and mental health issues and guiding them toward community resources and/or employee assistance programs.
• Demonstrates cost control in all practice activities.
• Documents employee visits thoroughly and accurately in Agility.
• Maintains and ensures the confidentiality of patient information and medical records.
• Act as an advocate for the rights of employees by ensuring access to preventative health and safety measures.
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Education

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
• Maintain continuing education in the epidemiological study of infection control
  
  

Experience

• Two years of related infection control experience
  
  

Licensure/Certification

• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control CIC® within six (6) months of employment.