Staff Development/ Infection Control Coordinator

General Purpose:

Plan and implement job skills training, in-service education and a Certification Training Program (if applicable) for all staff, with a special emphasis on nursing department staff, as required by regulations. Supervise and coordinate the multiple facets of the Infection Control Program. Assure a high quality of resident care by:

• Eliminating infection risks to residents and personnel through surveillance of multiple activities and practices;
• Teaching information pertinent to infection control and isolation to all involved associates;
• Implementing monitoring and surveillance programs in an effort to identify and reduce infection hazards in the facility.

Essential Job Functions

This facility expects their employees to do whatever is necessary to promote an atmosphere of teamwork with other employees and hospitality and comfort for its residents. Therefore, the following list is not all-inclusive:

Staff Development Function:

• Work cooperatively with the Administrator, Human Resources Director and Director of Nursing in assessing training needs and plan programs to meet these needs and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and facilitate in-service education for staff
• Prepare/obtain and file lesson plans for all programs taught to facility employees.
• Ensure all nursing assistants complete hours of required training during the required time period. Generally all nursing assistants must complete a minimum of twelve (12) hours of in-service education each year.
• Develop and facilitate a clinical orientation for the New Hire Orientation program.
• Complete a Skills Checklist on each C.N.A. and licensed nurse, which indicates that they are competent to perform all resident care tasks to which they will be assigned.
• Provide skill training to new staff in any deficient area noted above before allowing the nursing assistant to perform the task with a resident.
• Implement all staff in-services addressing mandatory in-service topics.
• Evaluate in-services training to develop programs that enhance resident care skills.
• Regularly check the competency of C.N.A. skill performance, positive regard for residents, and developmental needs of direct care staff. Provide 1:1 instruction immediately, if necessary.
• Participate in C.N.A. hiring process as interviewer or screener of resumes.
• Participate in QA meetings to identify training needs.
• Provide in-service resources for licensed staff in clinical skills development.
• Develop training interventions to resolve problems/issues.

Infection Control Function

• Inform DON, Medical Director and the Infection Control Committee of problems and progress in preventing and controlling infections.
• Advise facility personnel of isolation policy for disease-specific precautions for residents with infection
• Act as a liaison with the local health department in reporting infectious diseases in the facility and make recommendations to the Infection Control Committee
• Maintain close communication with all supervisors and nurses and verify that he/she is the primary focal point for accumulation of information related to possible communicable disease present when a resident is admitted or infection is acquired in the facility.
• Review all infections acquired and nosocomial infections monthly and quarterly.
• Investigate unusual epidemics, clusters of infections and/or infections due to unusual pathogens.
• Make facility rounds to verify techniques and procedures are performed in accordance with standards set by the QA committee according to the Infection Control Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Train facility personnel to complete Infection Surveillance Reports and supervise follow-up activities
• Assist with programs regarding infection control and prevention
• Assist in the development and/or implementation of infection control measures
• Attend the Infection Control Committee/QA Committee meetings and coordinate the implementation of committee recommendations
• Compile data related to the facility infections according to the Infection Control Policy and Procedure and report to the Infection Control Committee.
• May be assigned to work as Charge Nurses, if necessary.

Other Duties:

• Attend in-service education programs in order to meet facility educational requirements.
• Be familiar with Standard Precautions, Exposure Control Plan, Fire Drill and Evacuation Procedures and know how to use the information.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident and facility records/information.
• Protect residents from neglect, mistreatment, and abuse.
• Protect the personal property of the residents of the facility.
• Others as directed by the supervisor or administrator.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be an LPN or RN – active and in good standing.
• Organized and detailed in work performance.
• Good communication skills with excellent self-discipline and patience.
• Genuine caring for and interest in elderly and disabled people in a nursing facility.
• Comply with the Residents’ Rights and Facility Policies and Procedures.
• Perform work tasks within the physical demand requirements as outlined below.
• Perform Essential Duties as outlined above.

Working Conditions

• Subject to frustrations in meeting work demands due to frequent interruptions.
• Fast paced, required to make decisions quickly
• Involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• May work beyond normal duty hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations
• Function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Meet general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.
• Relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people within the facility.