Infection Preventionist Nurse

Job Description

To act as Infection Prevention & Control liaison and to implement , promote and maintain an active infection control program through surveillance and investigative activities, consultation, education, policy development and risk assessment under supervision and as delegated. To work collaboratively with clinical staff, departments and administration to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections among patients. To assure that facilities and services are in compliance with infection control practice as well as local, state and regulatory infection control standards. The responsibilities within this job description will be performed under supervision or with assistance.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities of the role Corresponding Key Activities performed by the role

Leadership

Liaising with senior infection preventionist for consultation and expert advice in infection control practice.

Liaising with senior infection preventionist for providing advice to occupational health, laboratory staff and the risk manager in the event of a blood borne pathogen and body fluid exposure incident or any other Infection Prevention and Control issue.

Participating in needs assessment for all departments around infection prevention and control issues.

Participating in internal meetings pertaining to infection prevention and control.

Facilitating integration of infection prevention and control activities within and across departments.

Management of Clinical Practice

Building relationships with staff, peers and colleagues to support interdisciplinary and interdepartmental planning, aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Liaising with senior infection preventionist to provide clinical consultations to nurses, physicians and allied health professionals related to infection prevention and control.

Demonstrating knowledge of microbiological and epidemiological principles and isolation precautions when addressing the purchase of resources (e.g., personal protective equipment).

Updating HAAD with information regarding the reportable infectious diseases, endemic and epidemic situation in the community.

Assisting In Surveillance And Epidemiologic Investigation

• Collecting surveillance data pertaining to healthcare associated infection.
• Reviewing the surveillance data with the senior infection preventionist.
• Participating in analyzing and interpreting surveillance data within the team.
• Facilitating implementation of appropriate actions to clinicians and administrators targeted to reduce or eliminate infectious risks in patients and staff.
• Performing active surveillance on targeted device and procedure associated infections in the hospital and following up on epidemiological importance organisms/diseases.
  
  

Assisting the senior infection preventionist in performing outbreak investigations

• Facilitating contact tracing related to exposure of patients or/and healthcare workers to communicable diseases
• Preparing and maintaining confidentiality of all aspects of infection prevention and control surveillance data collection and storage.
  
  

Preventing/controlling The Transmission Of Infectious Agents

• Promoting and implementing infection prevention and control guidelines/standards that improve patient outcome and reduce healthcare-associated infections.
• Investigating and studying trends in infection prevention and control practices, liaise with the senior infection preventioist for recommendations and changes required for performance improvement.
  
  

Support the activities of an employee/occupational health

Disaster Preparedness

Response - Biological

Participating in Disaster Preparedness and Biological Response Plan –including, but not limited to:

• Collaborating with seniors on recommendations to reduce potential for infections transmision and sharing such recommendadtions
• Ensuring personal protective equipment resources are available at all times
• Coordinating with multidiciplinary team in effectively utilizing resources during an disaster (i.e isolation rooms)
• Participating identifying dedicated units to accommodate known or suspected patients with bioterrorism-related disease, or emerging infectious disease
• Participating in conducting annual drills related to Disaster Preparedness and Biological Response
• Demonstrating effective reporting process for a biological disaster (communication with SEHA OCC, HAAD, CDC, Police, etc.)
  
  

Participating in executing environmental decontamination after a bioterrorism attack

Providing infectious disease disaster plan education and training to the staff

Demonstrating knowledge for early detection of an infectious disease disaster through active or passive surveillance

Liaising with senior infection preventionist for recommending strategies for handling potentially contagious individuals and implementing environmental controls to prevent or limit the emergence or spread of communicable diseases

Maintaining knowledge on effective interventions that can be implemented when standard practices cannot be achieved during a disaster (when resources may be limited)

Pandemic preparednes and response

Monitoring pandemic alerts issued by HAAD CDC, MOH, WHO, etc., if a pandemic is declared:

• Facilitating communication and implemention of necessary precautions applicable to the physical setting.
• Performing process and/or outcome surveillance activities to identify infections that cause or have potential to cause an outbreak
• Participating in epidemiological investigation
• Implementing routine practices and precautions to prevent the transmission of infection
  
  

Communication

Maintaining confidentiality and security of patient, family, and organization information in accordance with the confidentiality policy

Using information technology to access, transmit and produce information as necessary.

Assisting in producing infection prevention and control reports and surveillance monitoring in a timely manner (i.e., monthly).

Liaising closely with medical and nursing staff in ensuring that all notifiable diseases are reported to HAAD.

Collaborating with multidisciplinary team by providing effective communication and timely feedback in improving quality and patient safety.

Performance Improvement/Risk Management

Supporting a culture of performance improvement.

Participating in accreditation activities and quality improvement projects.

Assist in patient and environmental risk assessments and documenting corrective action to improve patient outcomes as required.

Supporting in ongoing educational programs within the organization.

Participating in the implementation of evidence based practice to promote clinical knowledge and a research based clinical practice environment.

Monitoring compliance with International and HA-AD Patient Safety Goals.

Monitoring and continuous surveillance of identified healthcare-associated infection clinical indicators, pertinent to the facility’s needs, and participate in using this data to prioritize the infection prevention and control program.

Perform infection prevention and control audits and review as required to minimize risk and improve safety of patients, visitors or health care workers.

Participate in risk assessment and management in the organization for TB, Bloodborne pathogens, environmental, safety and renovation/construction projects.

Demonstrating knowledge of current infection prevention and control strategies and organizational policies.

Participating in product evaluation and cost containment projects as indicated

Education

Engaging in health promotion activities in the organization and community.

Conducting orientation, annual mandatory training and in-service infection prevention and control education programs for employees.

Coordinating infection prevention and control link practitioners (ICLP) and chairs ICLP monthly meetings.

Demonstrating skill in learning needs identification, adult education, group dynamics, curriculum development, communication, and teaching strategies related to infection prevention and control.

Assist in training and supporting clinical managers in decentralized learning activities related to infection prevention and control.

Participating in education about hygienic and community health measures (e.g., hand hygiene) to patients and their visitors.

Providing education to contracted workers on evidence-based infection prevention and control precautions to be followed.

Professional Responsibilities

Utilizing internal educational resources and external agencies to assist with development of competencies related to Infection Prevention and Control.

Developing and achieving annual performance criteria/goals in conjunction with the Line Manager.

Attending and participating in the orientation and other hospital based programs as agreed with the Line Manager.

Maintaining and updating own professional development through relevant educational activities.

Maintaining and updating a professional portfolio.

Initiating action and reporting to the line manager, when staff behavior and/or performance do not meet professional standards.

Effectively and efficiently utilizing of human resources, consumables and equipment.

Demonstrating knowledge of Policies/ Procedures/ Guidelines related to position

General

This job description is not definitive and following periodic review may be subject to change.

The infection preventionist is expected to contribute to the wider corporate and organizational development needs as appropriate within scope of practice.

The infection preventionist is expected to ensure compliance with the requirement of the Health and Safety regulations of the organization.

Upholds the organizational customer service standards at all times.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: RN/RM with Bachelor’s degree in nursing or midwifery or equivalent

Licensing: HAAD licence in Nursing or Midwifery

Desired: Certified in Infection Control (CIC) (i.e. Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology or equivalent) and maintain cerification status

• Certified proof of yearly CME
• Continuous post graduate courses
• BLS
  
  

Experience

• NLT 2 years clinical experience post qualification in appropriate setting
  
  

Desired: Information technology skills.

Additioinal Requirements

Required: Must be proficient in English Language.

Desired

Arabic language

Presentation skills

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