Infection Preventionist

Rocky Hill, CT

20 hours per week

Summary of Position:

Under the direction of the Executive Director, and in collaboration with the ALSA Director, is responsible for Infection Control program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1.Responsible for the infection prevention and control program.

2.Provide support to the team to fill in on any open shifts

3.Responsible for maintaining the system for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases for all residents, staff, volunteers, visitors, and other individuals providing services under a contractual arrangement, based upon the facility assessment conducted according to §483.70(e) and following accepted national standards

4.Responsible to maintain a system for surveillance, based upon national standards of practice and the facility assessment, including the resident population and the services and care provided. It must be an established routine, ongoing, and systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of surveillance data to identify infections, infection risks, communicable disease outbreaks, and to maintain or improve resident health status. As part of the system of surveillance, identification and prevention.

5.Makes regular rounds investigating potential infections.  Maintains an on-going record of each infection noted.  Completes timely logs and communicates all pertinent information, i.e. infection situations, to appropriate personnel.  Assists where possible in resolving problems and concerns; concentrate on maintaining a climate of effective communication with the health care team.

6.Collects statistics, prepares reports for the infection control committee, medical executive committee, and appropriate department heads. Creates interventions and education plan based on monthly inspection report and observed areas of improvement needed. Works as the primary person to gather data and report staff influenza, COVID reporting and vaccination all appropriate regulatory agencies.

7.Implements infection control measures, teaches and demonstrates infection control to all Memory Care personnel involved in resident care. Provides in service education on an on-going basis or as needed to all Departments meeting OSHA and Public Health Regulations. Provides education to newly hired employees on Infection Control isolation Guidelines.

8.Follows policies and procedures in place to address any outbreak occurrences within the Memory Care Setting. 

9.Keeps accurate records of infections, trends, etc. and presents a detailed report summary at the quarterly medical staff meeting. 

10.Understands and follows Standard Precautions as it pertains to potential exposure to all body fluids. Utilizes techniques of infection control.  Acts as a role model in this area.

11.Provides guidance and monitors health care providers in meeting infection control practices and standards for cleaning, sanitation, disinfection and sterilization.

12.Addresses various aspects of resident health, including hygiene, skin care, urinary catheter care, TB screening, and immunizations.

13.Works with Pharmacy to monitor antibiotic usage and resistance.

14.Performs additional duties as assigned.

15.Will provide oversight of infection control and prevention on all three shifts, at least monthly.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:Completion of an accredited LPN or RN program and associated licensure.

Experience:Minimum of five years of clinical nursing experience and three to five years management experience in a healthcare setting.  Long-term care experience required.  Experience in clinical information systems preferred.  Experience in project planning and implementation preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: RN or LPN license in State of Connecticut.  ICN certification required, IP certification and wound certification preferred.  *may be required to pursue within a certain time frame upon hire.