Infection Control Nurse

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Infection Control:

Participate in Infection Control program to assure compliance with infection control guidelines and regulatory requirements. Infection control officer(s)' responsibility for measures to identify, investigate, report, prevent and control infections and communicable diseases are the following activities:

• Maintenance of a sanitary hospital environment.
• Development and implementation of infection control measures related to hospital personnel; hospital staff, for infection control purposes, includes all hospital staff, contract workers (e.g., agency nurses, housekeeping staff, etc.), and volunteers.
• Mitigation of risks associated with patient infections present upon admission.
• Mitigation of risks contributing to healthcare-associated infections.
• Active surveillance.
• Monitoring compliance with all policies, procedures, protocols and other infection control program requirements.
• Program evaluation and revision of the program, when indicated.
• Coordination as required by law with federal, state, and local emergency preparedness and health authorities to address communicable disease threats, bioterrorism, and outbreaks; Advise Infection Control manager of individual patients with infectious conditions.
• Complying with the reportable disease requirements of the local health authority.
• Collaborate with direction from Infection Control leader and advise and educate staff on infection control techniques and supporting managers in supervising the implementation of such techniques in specific situations.

Nursing Education:

• Assist supervisor with systematic needs, assessments and training throughout the system related to clinical practice to ensure standardization nursing competence and provision of care.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrate understanding of Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), State of Wisconsin Standards, and other regulatory agency compliance regulations.
• Act as a resource for standards.
• Offer interpretation of standards as requested.
• Develop educational plans to achieve compliance with new and revised standards as requested.
• Participate in the Rogers Operating System on an ongoing basis.

Promote department goals and the mission of the Hospital

• Communicate goals to fellow staff members.
• Demonstrate measurable goal achievement.
• Maintain department policies and procedures.
• Include requirements and guidelines from external agencies (i.e., Joint Commission, state).
• Maintain and/or communicate to appropriate party function backlog at a set time.
• Educate new staff regarding regulations or requirements of those functions that relate to their areas or departments, as directed.
• Demonstrate acceptance and training of student interns in the department, as directed.

Participate in Hospital committees, performance improvement team meetings and team projects, as directed

• Demonstrate punctuality and preparedness.
• Demonstrate effective communication and organizational skills.
• Contribute in a positive, solution-focused manner.

Conduct self in a professional manner

• Demonstrate organizational skills that promote timely response to all inquiries and to project completion and problem resolution.
• Communicate with all individuals in a positive and professional manner.
• Attempt to resolve individual issues with peers in a positive, calm manner, with a focus on resolution.
• Communicate concerns and provide solutions for same.
• Attend external seminar to promote professional growth.
• Interact with external professional peers to create a professional network.
• Comply with the Hospital's policies and procedures and the Infection Control and Employee Health programs.
• Project a professional image by wearing appropriate, professional attire.

Additional Job Description:

Physical/Mental Demands:

• Verbal and hearing ability required to interact with patients and employees.
• Numerical ability required to maintain records and operate computer.
• Must be able to read and communicate through written, verbal and auditory skills and abilities.
• Ability to plan, control, and collaborate in all aspects of employee relations. Tact required to deal effectively with employees and professional staff.
• Logical thinking and discretion required to make decisions in initiating, recommending, and implementing policies and procedures and standards.
• Position requires walking, sitting, and standing. Lifting is moderate; must be capable of lifting a minimum of twenty (20) pounds. Reaching, handling, grasping, and manual dexterity are necessary to operate various pieces of office equipment.
• Position requires occasional shift work to accomplish goals of the position.
• Physically/Mentally able to perform job duties as verified by a physical exam by a licensed physician, per post-employment physical.

Education/Training Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) preferred. Registered nurse licensed by State Board of Nursing in the state of employment. License must be in good standing with the State Board of Nursing in the state of employment.
• Previous infection control and prevention and or psychiatric experience preferred.
• American Health Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification or is required within thirty (30) days of date-of-hire. Bi-annual re-certification is required.
• Formal training in management of the aggressive patient is required within sixty (60) days of date-of-hire. Annual re-certification is required.
• Infection Control Board Certification strongly preferred
• Must be able and willing to travel to Rogers' locations by car, plane, or train.

The System also includes Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation, which supports patient care, programs, and research; and Rogers InHealth, an initiative that works to eliminate the stigma of mental health challenges.

With a career at Rogers, you can look forward to a Total Rewards package of benefits, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and your family
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee share program
• Life/disability insurance
• Flex spending accounts
• Tuition reimbursement
• Health and wellness program
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Through UnitedHealthcare, UMR and HealthSCOPE Benefits creates and publishes the Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Rogers Behavioral Health. To link to the Machine-Readable Files, please visit Transparency in Coverage (uhc.com)