The primary function of this position is to ensure that all facility personnel are educated on and actively practicing proper infection control techniques in compliance with all federal, state and local guidelines, standards and regulations. As well as plan, implement, direct, and supervise staff training and educational activities in compliance with all federal, state, and local guidelines standards and regulations, and, as directed by the Director of Nursing so as to ensure that only eligible and competent persons are employed in rendering care and services for the resident population.
Duties and Responsibilities: Infection Control/Staff Development Nurse:
- Identifies and addresses on-going staff training needs in conjunction with Department Directors and/or Administrator.
- Plans, directs and/or conducts In-service Education Programs for the facility.
- Plans, develops, organizes, evaluates, coordinates, and directs the infection control program in compliance with all federal, state and local guidelines and regulations.
- Develops, updates, and maintains infection control policies and procedures.
- Conducts follow-up to all training activities.
- Maintains records of all training activities.
- Makes regular rounds of the facility to monitor for utilization of proper environmental sanitation procedures, universal precautions, and overall supervision of isolation practices. Uses infection control techniques to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and incorporates infection control principles in staff training.
- Provides instruction and direction to all appropriate personnel in following established infection control procedures including but not limited to, Exposure Control Plan, Universal Precautions, Aseptic Technique, and Isolation.
- Ensures that residents with suspected and known communicable or infectious diseases are placed on appropriate infection control/isolation precautions.Reviews assessments, plans of treatment, and daily nursing notes of those residents on isolation precautions to ensure adequacy of care and the resident’s response or lack of response with respect to the same.
- Performs performance improvement functions related to infection control.
- Ensures all staff are educated and knowledgeable on proper infection control techniques.
- Maintains a safe work environment and instructs employees in maintaining a safe work environment and the use of safe work practices.
- Trains staff in the effective execution of the Emergency and Disaster Plans and assist with the on-going updates of fire, safety, and disaster plan.
- Conducts nurse aide certification classes and schedules nurse aide competency testing as needed.
- Assist subordinate positions in rendering care and services to the residents.
- Answers resident call bells as necessary.
- Adheres to, upholds, and enforces all facility policies and procedures.
- Performs all other related duties as assigned
- Actively participates in overall facility management and makes recommendations for quality improvement.
- Assists with reviewing, revising, and implementing facility policies and procedures
- Adheres to and upholds/enforces regulations and recommendations of the Department of Health, the Department of Public Welfare, the Health Care Financing Administration, etc.
- Serves on various committees as directed.
- Assumes all other duties as assigned.
- Maintains a professional, customer-oriented demeanor at all times.
- Works within a team concept and thus fosters the same within the nursing department.
- Maintains confidentiality of information.
- Represents the facility, management, and the Board of Directors in a positive manner.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
- Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of the facility including a medical and physical examination.
- Must possess sight and hearing senses at all times or use prosthetics, which will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be fully met.
- Must be able to walk extensively, sit for extended periods of time, and bend, lift, and carry up to fifty (50) pounds frequently.
- Must be able to operate lifting equipment regularly and push and pull carts and/or resident transportation devices up to three hundred (300) pounds.
- Other demands include frequent arm, finger, and low reaching movements and some occasional climbing and crawling.
- Required to reach, handle, and manipulate equipment frequently.
- Moves intermittently throughout the workday
- Works in and around all areas of the facility.
- Is subject to frequent interruptions and must then adjust schedule accordingly.
- Is subject to falls, burns from equipment, and reactions from smoke, disinfectants, and other air contaminants. May be subject to handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, blood and body fluids, diseases, conditions, etc., such as TB, AIDS, and Hepatitis B viruses.
- May be subject to emotionally distraught residents, family members, visitors, personnel, etc. and must possess the ability to cope with the stresses of the environment.
- Must be able to work mandatory overtime as needed and/or as outlined in the personnel policies.
Education and Experience Requirements:
- Graduate from an accredited school of nursing and in possession of a valid license issued by the Commonwealth of PA.
- Minimum of three (3) years in long term care with experience in educational services.
- Ability to ready, write, and speak English.
- Ability to follow oral and written direction.
