RN - Infection Control and Prevention

Summary:  The Infection Control Practitioner is a qualified individual with knowledge of CDC guidelines and definitions of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), JCAHO standards, federal and state regulations.  She/He is responsible for the identification, investigation, reporting, prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) among patients and personnel. 

Essential Functions:

1.       Comprehensive knowledge of complete infection control process in the healthcare setting.

2.       Knowledge of risk stratified statistics as applicable to trending healthcare associated infections (HAIs).

3.       Develops and implements a system for identifying, investigating, reporting and preventing the spread of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) among patients of all ages and healthcare personnel.

4.       Reviews cultures and sensitivities reported by microbiology laboratory of patients and personnel to determine if infection is healthcare associated in origin.

5.       Confers with staff nurses on all patient care units on a regular basis to determine occurrence of healthcare associated infections (HAIs).

6.       Investigates infections, especially those occurring above established thresholds, and/or in clusters by patient care units.

7.       Assists with inservice education related to infection prevention and control housewide.

8.       Assists in the development, implementation and improvement of infection control practices.

9.       Reviews and/or revised all department policies and procedures related to infection control on a concurrent basis.

10.   Communicates infection control activities to administration, Performance Improvement Committee, the medical staff and MEC via the Infection Control Committee minutes and/or Infection Control Committee Chairperson.

Required Education: 

Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare related field is required

Required Certification: 

American Heart Association BLS is required

CBIC certification is preferred

SPICE certification is preferred

Required Licensure: 

Registered Nurse in North Carolina is required (or compact state)

Required Experience:

Minimum of three to five years’ experience in clinical field and an ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of clinical practice is preferred