Staff Development and Infection Prevention RN

We are currently looking to hire an Infection Control Nurse/ Staff Development RN to join our SNF in Watertown, MA!

The Infection Prevention Control Nurse is a qualified RN with knowledge of CDC guidelines, occupational health standards, and federal and state regulations related to infection prevention and control in skilled nursing facilities. This position is responsible for the administration of the center wide Infection Prevention Program, which includes among other functions the identification, investigation, reporting, prevention and control of center acquired infections among residents, staff and guests.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: (Other duties may be assigned).

• Responsible for staff education regarding infection prevention and control protocols and conducting staff skills checks and education competency.
• Provides and/or arranges for facility wide orientation and training programs, in-service education, and other educational programs for the development of facility personnel. Provides orientation to Nursing Department, in-service and educational programs as above. Works closely with all departments and monitors and completes resident Accident / Incident reports.
• Schedules, arranges and conducts mandatory in-services and other in-services for all staff.
• In conjunction with Personnel Director and Department Heads conducts and/or arranges facility orientation for all new employees. Conducts orientation onboarding education classes for Nursing Personnel.
• Responsible for infection prevention and control surveillance, as well as outbreak identification and control.
• Implements and maintains systems for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases for residents, staff, volunteers, visitors, and other individuals providing services under arrangement based upon its center and resident assessments. These systems will be reviewed and updated, as needed, or at a minimum annually.
• Reviews, modifies, and interprets infection prevention and control policies and procedures as necessary, or at a minimum annually.
• Develops, maintains, and periodically updates infection prevention and control processes and techniques in accordance with current best practices.
• Makes written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator, as necessary/required, concerning the infection prevention and control program of the center.
• Participates in new employee orientation and coordinates competency completion related to infection prevention and control policies and practices.
• Serves as lead member of the committee for Infection Prevention and Control.
• Completes the infection prevention and control risk assessment (ICRA). Performs annual and periodic reviews to further enhance center’s ICRA and ensures appropriate QAPIs are in place to address.
• Coordinates and manages adherence to the employee health program (immunizations, exposures, physical exams, fit testing, etc.).
• Maintains and protects the confidentiality of employee and resident health files.
• Completes required forms and documents in accordance with company policy and state and/or federal regulations.

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS

• Have primary professional training in nursing, medical technology, microbiology, epidemiology, or other related field.
• Minimum of five years’ experience as an Infection Preventionist or related healthcare experience with knowledge of patient care practices, microbiology, infectious diseases, and epidemiology.
• Completion of Infection Prevention training/IPCO Certification preferred, but not required.
• Must be an RN in MA