Infection Prevention Nurse/Part time/16 hours

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a health system dedicated exclusively to medical rehabilitation. We provide inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to the most advanced state of recovery they can achieve. Our Mission: To enhance health, maximize function, and transform lives. Our values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. These values guide us in providing quality patient care and transforming the lives of our patients.

Job Summary:The Infection Prevention Nurse is responsible for collaborating with the Infection Preventionist to lead, develop and maintain an organization’s infection control and prevention program. This role ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as industry standards to minimize risk of infection to patients, staff and visitors. The Infection Prevention Nurse works in accordance with the Infection Preventionist and conducts surveillance, analyzes infection data, provides staff training, leads outbreak investigations, and collaborates with clinical and administrative teams to promote a culture of safety and prevention.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES –include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Infection Control Program: Assist the Infection Preventionist in developing, maintaining and implement policies governing control of infections and communicable diseases to meet all regulatory requirements including but not limited to CMS, DPH, Joint Commission and OSHA:

• Assists with maintaining a system for identifying, reporting, investigating and controlling infections and communicable diseases.
• Assists with monitoring includes but is not limited to:  Disinfection, Blood Borne Pathogens and Communicable Disease, and Biomedical Waste Removal.
• Assists with maintaining the infection prevention and control plan as well as goal setting based upon identified risk.
• Assists with the Infection Prevention Consultant, coordinate the work of the Infection Prevention Committee to meet the of the infection prevention and control plan and goal setting, as needed.
• Serve as a resource person to improve the knowledge and practice of appropriate infection prevention techniques throughout the institution.
• Assists with data analysis and regulatory data reporting.

Infection Prevention Performance Improvement:

• Identify infection prevention opportunities for improvement and work with individual managers to bring the opportunities for improvement to completion.
• Facilitation of Apparent Cause Analysis.
• Data analysis to identify infection prevention opportunities and trends.
• Environmental surveillance.

Communication

• Ability to effectively communicate with various roles, including but not limited to leadership, management, staff, and external agencies. 

Assists with managing the annual Employee Health immunization program and employee-related infection issues:       

• Assists with flu vaccine program and other vaccines as indicated.
• Assists with fit testing for N95 masks.

CATEGORY:  IT IS ICARE:      

CRITERIA:

• Innovation: Embracing creativity and new ideas to improve processes and outcomes.
• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with others to achieve shared goals and objectives.
• Inclusion: Fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
• Safety: Prioritizing the well-being and security of patients, individuals and communities.
• Integrity: Acting with honesty and transparency in all interactions and decisions.
• Compassion: Showing empathy and kindness towards others, especially in challenging situations.
• Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and outcomes, ensuring reliability and trust.
• Respect: Treating others with dignity and consideration, valuing their perspectives and contributions.
• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in performance and achievements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• RN or LPN and hold a valid/current license. Bachelor's degree (B.S. or B. A.) preferred and three years clinical experience. 
• Experience in Infection Prevention and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• Current nursing license in the state of CT.
• Infection Certification preferred
• Good interpersonal skills. 
• Knowledge of epidemiologic principles, infectious diseases, sterilization, sanitation, patient care and disinfection practices as well as adult education principles. 

HOURS:

Part-time/16 hours

Position reports to the Director of Quality and Safety.

We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer