Infection Preventionist (RN)

JOB SUMMARY:

The Infection Prevention Nurse (RN) is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and maintaining the community’s Infection Prevention and Control Program. This position works collaboratively with nursing leadership, clinical staff, providers, environmental services, and other departments to promote a safe environment for residents, employees, and visitors.

The Infection Prevention Nurse provides leadership and education related to infection prevention practices, conducts infection surveillance, identifies trends and potential outbreaks, monitors compliance with infection control standards, and supports the community in meeting applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.

This role serves as a clinical resource to the interdisciplinary team and promotes a culture of infection prevention, resident safety, and continuous quality improvement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, implement, maintain, and evaluate the community’s Infection Prevention and Control Program in accordance with current regulations, standards of practice, and organizational policies.
• Conduct ongoing surveillance for healthcare-associated infections, communicable diseases, multidrug-resistant organisms, and other infection-related concerns.
• Review resident clinical information, laboratory results, antibiotic use, symptoms, and other relevant data to identify infections and emerging trends.
• Maintain infection surveillance logs, reports, documentation, and supporting records.
• Investigate suspected or confirmed outbreaks and assist with implementation of appropriate interventions, isolation precautions, testing, monitoring, and follow-up.
• Communicate infection-related concerns and trends to the Director of Nursing Services, Administrator, medical providers, and other appropriate members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Report communicable diseases and outbreaks to appropriate public health or regulatory agencies as required.
• Monitor adherence to standard and transmission-based precautions, including appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Conduct infection prevention rounds and audits related to hand hygiene, PPE, isolation precautions, environmental cleaning, resident care practices, and other infection prevention standards.
• Provide education and ongoing training to employees regarding infection prevention and control practices, including hand hygiene, PPE, bloodborne pathogens, transmission-based precautions, respiratory hygiene, and outbreak response.
• Participate in employee infection prevention initiatives, including exposure follow-up and coordination with appropriate departments as applicable.
• Collaborate with pharmacy, nursing leadership, providers, and the interdisciplinary team to support the community’s Antibiotic Stewardship Program.
• Monitor antibiotic utilization and assist in identifying opportunities to promote appropriate antibiotic use.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) activities and present infection prevention data, trends, concerns, and recommendations as appropriate.
• Assist with development and implementation of performance improvement plans related to identified infection prevention concerns.
• Review and update infection prevention policies and procedures to reflect current regulatory requirements and evidence-based practices.
• Assist nursing leadership with preparation for state and federal surveys and respond to infection prevention-related survey findings as directed.
• Serve as a resource to staff regarding infection prevention practices, isolation precautions, exposure concerns, and communicable diseases.
• Collaborate with Environmental Services, Dietary, Nursing, and other departments to promote infection prevention practices throughout the community.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident and employee information in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
• Maintain current knowledge of infection prevention standards, regulatory requirements, and evidence-based practices applicable to skilled nursing and long-term care settings.
• Provide direct resident care or clinical nursing support when necessary and within the scope of licensure.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Nursing Services, Administrator, or clinical leadership.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Current, active, and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.
• Current CPR/BLS certification as required by the community.
• Infection prevention training or certification required in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.
• Infection prevention certification or specialized training in long-term care infection prevention preferred.
• Previous nursing experience in skilled nursing, long-term care, Post-Acute care, or a related healthcare setting preferred.
• Previous experience with infection prevention, infection surveillance, quality assurance, staff education, or clinical leadership preferred.
• Knowledge of long-term care regulations and infection prevention standards is strongly preferred.