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The Nursing Department on the Manhattan campus is seeking an Infection Control Preventionist to join our team.

JOB SUMMARY: The Infection Preventionist is responsible for ensuring that all nursing staff are kept up-to-date on their clinical skills and knowledge of topics essential for the effective and safe delivery of nursing care in the facility. He/she coordinates orientation for all new nursing employees, ensuring competency in their job role upon completion of their orientation. He/she acts as a consultant to the Nurse Managers and clinical consultants in helping plan orientation for clinical employees outside of nursing. He/she works in collaboration with the DON/ADON to improve upon below-standard job performance areas for nursing staff. He/she facilitates student nurse clinical learning experiences with outside agencies. He/she acts as a resource person in facilitating continuing educational activities for all staff in the Home. As well, he/she is responsible for the oversight and coordination of infection control practices in the facility. Including but not limited to COVID 19.

REPORTS TO: Director of Nursing (DON)

SUPERVISES: Employee Health Clinic

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Collaborates with DON and clinical consultants in facilitating orientation for clinical employees outside of nursing and Infection Control issues.

2. Oversees the infection control program in the facility, which includes:

+ collecting and analyzing statistics relating to nosocomial infections, and other infections of concern,

+ discussing with DON and reporting to the Department of Health any reportable infections or outbreaks,

+ coordinating the response to infectious outbreaks in the facility,

+ coordinating the immunization program for residents and staff,

+ maintaining current policies and procedures relating to the control of infections in the facility,

+ coordinating quarterly and ad hoc infection control committee meetings, taking minutes and following up on issues of concern,

+ provide staff education related to infection control practices.

+ participate with medical director and DON as chairperson of Infection Control Committee

3. Ensures regulatory compliance (DOH, JCAHO) in all educational and infection control areas, and actively participates in DOH and JCAHO surveys. Assists in the provision of staff education in response to corrections needed for survey deficiencies.

4. Assists in the design and implementation of performance improvement activities for the clinical departments and Infection Control.

5. Participates in QAPI committee meetings and presents infection control and antibiotic stewardship reports.

6. Utilizes outstanding interpersonal skills with all customers – staff, residents/patients, families, visitors and external agencies and vendors.

7. Observes for, intervenes with and reports safety issues and potential hazards affecting residents/patients, staff and visitors as necessary.

8. Adheres to, teaches and ensures compliance of staff with Infection Control standards.

9. Maintains professional knowledge base by attending outside seminars, courses and workshops, as appropriate.

10.Schedules/tracks employee vaccinations of residents and employees in coordination with employee health nurse.

11.Performs all other related duties as directed by Director of Nursing.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Currently licensed to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State,

2. Baccalaureate in Nursing, Master’s Degree in Education or healthcare related field is preferred,

3. Completed specialized training in infection prevention and control

4. Five years of professional responsibility for the management and administration of educational programs, including curriculum development, preferably in a long-term setting,

5. BCLS Certification.

6. APIC certification preferred and/or equivalent combination of education and infection control experience.

SPECIALIZED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

1. Demonstrated critical thinking skills in areas including:

a. Problem solving

b. Conflict resolution

c. Decision making

2. Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills

3. Demonstrated report and policy & procedure writing ability

4. Broad knowledge base in training and educational principles and in the development of training programs

5. Proficiency in computer skills with MS Office.

6. Knowledge of performance improvement principles and systems.

AGE RELATED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

1. Demonstrated excellence in knowledge of clinical geriatric issues.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. Able to sit for long periods of time

2. Able to walk and stand for long periods of time

3. Able to manage stress

4. Able to engage in direct resident/patient care activities on an as needed basis

5. Skilled in the management of multiple projects.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising resident/patient care.