Infection Control Nurse (225-717)

An Infection Control Nurse is a specialized healthcare professional responsible for managing and implementing infection prevention and control measures within healthcare facilities. These nurses play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety, mitigating the spread of infectious diseases, and supporting healthcare teams in maintaining compliance with infection control guidelines and regulations. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare environments, focusing on monitoring infection trends, educating staff about best practices, conducting audits, and implementing strategies to reduce infection risks. Their expertise is vital in responding to public health crises, such as pandemics, and in developing policies to improve overall healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement infection control plans and protocols within the healthcare facility.
• Conduct regular audits and surveillance to monitor and track infection patterns and outbreaks.
• Provide education and training sessions to healthcare staff on infection prevention practices.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure compliance with infection control standards.
• Investigate outbreaks of infectious diseases and provide recommendations for containment.
• Prepare and distribute reports on infection data and trends to relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in the development and review of infection control policies and procedures.
• Advise on the selection and use of personal protective equipment for healthcare teams.
• Facilitate risk assessments to identify potential environmental and procedural infection risks.
• Serve as a resource for the latest infection control updates and guidelines within the facility.
• Collaborate with public health agencies during infection outbreaks to ensure effective response.
• Lead committees and task forces focused on improving infection control practices and compliance.

Requirements

• Registered Nurse (RN) license with a minimum of two years of clinical experience.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) or willingness to pursue within a set timeframe.
• Strong knowledge of infection control practices, guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to effectively educate healthcare teams.
• Analytical skills to assess infection data and implement appropriate control strategies.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team in a healthcare setting.
• Experience in infection control practices, outbreak management, and staff education programs.