Employee Health/Infection Control Nurse

Description

Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Little Rock exists to care for patients in need of intensive and specialized care. Designed as a bridge in the continuum of care, patients who transition to Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals from a traditional hospital/short-term acute care hospital receive a customized treatment plan from a dedicated team. With a connection from the heart, we're focused on empowering our patients to achieve their goals.

Job Summary

Consults with physicians, managers, and staff for the management of infectious and/or immunosuppressed patients. Implements an effective hospital-wide infection control program in keeping with Centers for Disease Control (CDC), JCAHO, and other regulatory agencies. Directs all functions of the Employee Health program.

Essential Functions

• Develops, implements, and continually monitors the infection control policies and procedures for all departments.
• Implements a surveillance system for detecting and monitoring hospital acquired and community infections. Ensures compliance to regulatory requirements.
• Provides physicians and staff with updates of infection control policy changes.
• Investigates outbreaks or clusters of infections. Monitors, analyzes, and interprets bacteriology reports and infection statistics, recommends appropriate control measures to prevent dissemination of resistant microorganisms and pathogens.
• Consults with physicians, managers, and staff for the management of infectious and/or immunosuppressed patients.
• Participates in Infection Control Committees.
• Collaborates with local and state health departments in the prevention, control, and appropriate reporting of communicable diseases.
• Participates in ongoing infection control educational programs for employees, including TB, HIV/Hep/Universal Precautions. May educate patients as necessary.
• Acts as a resource person for staff concerning infection control.
• Undertakes regular infection control audits and appropriate follow up action where required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Knowledge of local, state and federal regulations and requirements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all patient and/or employee information to assure patient and/or employee rights are protected.
• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills when working or interacting with residents, their families, and other staff members.
• Ability to work under stress and to respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Must have good and regular attendance.
• Must read, write and speak fluent English.
• Approximate percent of time required to travel: 0%
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in nursing or healthcare related field.
• Master's degree in clinical specialty preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may substitute for education requirements.

Licenses/Certification

• Current State RN license required.
• BLS Certification required.
• ICP or related certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 1 year clinical experience in medical-surgical or critical care nursing.
• Experience in Infection Control with basic knowledge of the principles of epidemiology and infections, diseases, sterilization, sanitation, and disinfection practice preferred.