Job Information
Acadia Healthcare Infection Control- RN in Valdosta, Georgia
Description
PURPOSE STATEMENT:
Coordinate and lead the facility’s infection prevention and control program. Responsible for determining, preventing and containing infectious outbreaks within the facility.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Conduct ongoing surveillance of infections.
Gather and interpret data and keep accurate records of all infections.
Compile and present Infection Reports to the Safety/Infection Control Committee and the Performance Improvement Council at assigned intervals.
Inspect environment and observe personnel activities for the purpose of detecting infection hazards.
Monitor and evaluate compliance with standards set by facility policy and industry.
Monitor and update all facility department supervisors on all area-specific policies and procedures important to infection prevention principles. Investigate all 'exposure incidents,' oversee post-exposure evaluation and follow-up process in order to recommend appropriate actions to be taken.
Notify designated medical, administrative staff and appropriate health department authorities all reportable communicable disease.
Develop and provide in-service and orientation programs concerning prevention and control of infection, standard precautions, isolation techniques and education on current infectious disease.
Responsibilities may also include gathering, analyzing and presenting data, facts and trends on infection prevention to facility or corporate leadership.
Train staff on infection prevention and control protocols.
Assess and re-enforce infection prevention practices.
Communicate therapeutically and professionally with patients, visitors, coworkers and others in an effective manner.
OTHER FUNCTIONS:
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
Graduation from an accredited school of nursing, Bachelor's degree preferred. Minimum one year experience as an RN with the patient population of the facility. Minimum 1 year of infection control experience preferred. Must have a working knowledge of agents which cause disease, reservoir, knowledge of spectrum of disease, disease carriers, modes of transportation, host factors that enhance susceptibility, colonization of infection and approach to control infection. Must have knowledge of the basic principles of epidemiology and the infectious disease process. Formal training in the basic principles of epidemiology and the infectious disease process preferred.
LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:
Current RN license as required by state. First Aid, CPR, de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS:
GREENLEAF INFECTION CONTROL AND EMPLOYEE HEALTH NURSE ADDENDUM
The Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse has accountability and responsibility for planning, developing, directing, implementing and evaluating infection prevention and control activities within the hospital. The Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse supervises the infection control services for patients, visitors and staff. The Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse plans, organizes, implements and evaluates educational programs for all employees to enhance skills, knowledge and awareness of hospital associated infection avoidance techniques, and preventative measures. The Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse promotes the health and safety of all employees by facilitating an Employee Health Program which includes disease detection, prevention, and treatment; follow-up on employee illnesses and injuries; conducts employee health screenings; and promotes a safe work environment. The Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse consults on an ongoing basis with Medical and Nursing Staff, CDC, the local health department, Human Resources, and Quality/Risk Management.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse is responsible for the direction of the Infection Control Program. S/he interfaces with all departments/services and is responsible for identifying, controlling, and preventing outbreaks of infections in the facility. The Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse also coordinates the daily activities of the Employee Health program by tracking and notifying employees due for injections and other employee health requirements, administers and documents all injections given to employees that are required, audits and maintains Employee Health files, and tracks aggregating data for Committee reports. The Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse is a key member of Nursing Leadership.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Graduate of an accredited School of Nursing. B.S.N. or complete within five years. Continued education in Infection Control/Epidemiology preferred. EXPERIENCE: Three years of experience as an RN, with a minimum of one year of Infection Control experience, preferably in acute care.LICENSURE: Licensed as a registered nurse in the State of Georgia.
CERTIFICATIONS: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support certification. Infection Control Certification. Public Health Nursing Credential desirable.PHYSICAL: Medium work: Exerting 20 to 30 pounds of force occasionally. Requires
standing and walking for long periods.
SPECIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Basic computer skills with minimal guidance, excellent command of the English language (written and orally), and leadership/management/teaching skills. Must be able to work with several distractions including background conversations. Must be able to deal with aggressive, hostile, and irrational behaviors of patients. Must be able to respond immediately in crisis situations.
ENVIRONMENT: Inside. Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. Noise level is moderate to high in dealing with patients. May be exposed to risk of bodily harm.
JOB HAZARDS: Bending, lifting, walking, and standing are routine. Possible exposure to the outside environment. Possible exposure to verbal/physical abuse from patients. Possible exposure to hazardous wastes in the clinical and non-clinical areas. When coming in contact with patients, exposure to physical and verbal aggression is possible.
WORK RELATIONSHIPS: Supervised by the Director of Nursing. Works closely with Hospital nurses, other hospital managers, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners/Clinical Nurse Specialists, Medical Staff, Administrative staff, and other hospital departments. Presents a positive image to the general public. Supervises Unit-level Nursing Department Staff and Charge Nurses. Interacts with patients and families.
**This role requires that you are fully vaccinated for COVID19 due to local, state and federal laws and regulations. A Religious or Medical exemption is available.
Qualifications
Skills
Required
Attention to Detail: Advanced
Computer - Word: Advanced
Computer - Powerpoint: Advanced
Computer - Excel: Advanced
Problem Solving: Advanced
Oral Communication: Advanced
Written Communication: Advanced
Preferred
Customer Focus: Advanced
Leadership: Advanced
Planning & Organizing: Advanced
Safety Minded: Advanced
Behaviors
Required
Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
Preferred
Loyal: Shows firm and constant support to a cause
Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
Motivations
Required
Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks
Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization
Preferred
Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work
Financial: Inspired to perform well by monetary reimbursement
Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
Job Security: Inspired to perform well by the knowledge that your job is safe
Education
Required
- Bachelors or better in Nursing/Healthcare
Licenses & Certifications
Required
- Reg Nurse
Experience
Required
- 1 year: Infection Control and Employee Health
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)