RN Infection Preventionist in Cincinnati, OH, 45211   CDC Infection Certification Course Preferred Position Summary:

The Infection Preventionist (IP) serves as the facilities Infection and Prevention and Control Officer and functions as a practitioner, resource, and educator for all staff in the area of Infection Control.

Responsibilities: Supports general orientation by providing infection control training for all newly hired employees. Reviews the immunization documentation/status for all new hires to ensure compliance upon hire. Ensures necessary TB screening and documentation is completed per regulatory requirements. Ensures Hepatitis B vaccination is offered, and initiated or declination signed, for new hires, within regulatory requirements. Nurse Education: Develops education programs in response to identified infection control needs identified through QAPI, rounding, facility quality measures, or any others means. Teaches staff current accepted patient care and facility practices as they relate to infection control. Performs rounds on the units to: review and monitor infection control issues; monitor/observe infection control practices to identify educational needs; identify environmental issues that could contribute to the spread of infectious diseases and discuss findings; and evaluate compliance with Standard and Transmission Based Precautions and provide education regarding appropriate usage when needed. Infection Control and Employee Health: Manages the facility’s Infection Control and Prevention Program and activities with the goals of the program being the following: 1) Preventing: preventing the spread of infections for both residents and staff. 2) Identifying, 3) Reporting, 4) Investigating, and 5) Controlling: to minimize the risk of infection-related outbreaks within the center. Completes surveillance and tracking. 1) Maintains infection control records per policy and regulatory requirements 2) Analyzes and identifies and presents facility trends/variances and develops plans in conjunction with the center QAPI process. Completes the Infection Control Risk Assessment of the facility and resident population. Integrates the Infection Control and Prevention program with the facility’s QAPI process. Oversees the facility Antibiotic Stewardship Program that includes antibiotic use and prescribing protocols, laboratory communication, and a system for monitoring antimicrobial use. Directs implementation of Infection Control and Prevention policies and procedures and periodically reviews and updates the program as needed. Manages the Employee Health Program to include: Administering and tracking for both Tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis B series for regulatory compliance; training and competency testing of licensed nurses upon hire and annually, who administer and record, in mm of induration, the results of TB skin tests. Manages the Influenza immunizations for all residents and staff. Manages the Pneumococcal immunizations for all residents. Reviews the Initial Employee Health Survey completed by all new employees and requests appropriate documentation. Manages the facility Infection Control and Prevention Committee/QAPI. Performs other duties as requested. Compliance: Complies with applicable legal requirements, standards, policies, and procedures. Cooperates with monitoring and audit functions and investigations. Participates, as requested, in quality assurance and process improvement activities. Specific Education/Requirements/Certifications: Must be a graduate of an accredited School of Nursing with current licensure in good standing by the State Board of Nursing. Registered Nurse preferred but may be a Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse. Infection Preventionist Certification required. Minimum of 2 years nursing experience in a long-term care facility with 1 year in an administrative position preferred. Previous Infection Control experience is preferred. Must be able to work flexible hours in order to meet facility needs. Must have good verbal and communication skills with the ability to demonstrate organizational and educational skills. Must be able to analyze, organize, and respond to infection control data. Must have computer skills.