Auto req ID
108615BR
Duke Entity
DUKE REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Job Code
5054 INFECTION CONTROL NURSE
Job Description
General Description of the Job Class

The Infection Preventionist is trained in hospital epidemiology principles and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, interpretation and reporting of hospital acquired infections (HAI); educating employees about infection prevention; and the development of health system policies and procedures to insure rigorous infection control standards that meet JCAHO, OSHA, Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other nationally organized agencies recommendations and requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Surveillance:

Apply epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target population, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies.

Conduct on-going surveillance using Center of Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria, documentation, and investigation of nosocomial infections through review of admission diagnoses, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, patient records, consultation requests, post-discharge surveillance, and autopsy findings.

Assess environmental control through surveillance of water supply systems as needed, air pressure relationships for high risk environmental monitoring.

Conduct environmental rounds in all inpatient and outpatient care areas. Collect data on the incidence of selected device use in identified intensive care units.

Participate in investigations of unusual hospital infection outbreaks utilizing the microbiology laboratory, consultation with Infectious Disease Division, county/state public health departments, and when necessary in consultation with the Center for Disease Control. Report epidemiologically significant findings to appropriate customers.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the surveillance plan and modifies as necessary.

Report all in-house patients with communicable disease to the county and/or state health department and maintain appropriate records. Compile and interpret surveillance reports to Infection Control committee, specialty areas, and executive medical committee on a regular basis.

Data:

Collect data in support of epidemiological studies of specific problems or problem areas to determine the source of the problem and make appropriate recommendations.

Performance Improvement:

Participate in quality/performance improvement activities by assessing, monitoring, and measuring nosocomial infections and evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis.

Select indicators based on the projected use of the data. Plan and participate in the budget process.

Assist in the organization of regularly scheduled Hospital Infection Control meetings and dissemination of recommendations hospital-wide. Education:

Plan, organize, develop and implement educational programs for all hospital employees including administrative and ancillary services which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase employee awareness of existence of nosocomial infections; techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for hospital employees and patients.

Exposure:

Develop appropriate informational materials at appropriate level of understanding and need.

Serve as a knowledgeable and available resource on infection control practices and policies to patients, families, staff, and health system employees.

Participate in continuing educational activities at the department, state, and national levels to promote personal growth and maintain a current knowledge base commensurate with latest research and scholarly knowledge.

Regulatory: Maintain compliance with national standards and regulating bodies such as JCAHO, CDC, OSHA, FDA and HCFA.

Develop and update isolation techniques and procedures in accordance with current standards of practice, rules and regulations. Participate in maintaining policies and procedures which provide for a program of preventive medicine for hospital personnel to include establishment of policies and procedures relating to exposure to infectious diseases and prevention of cross-contamination. Recommend and evaluate procedures or policy statements relating to infection control within Duke Hospital; maintain an updated reference manual on infectious diseases and hospital infection control as recommended by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospitals. Maintain a knowledge base of current infection prevention and control information through peer networking. Internet access, published literature and professional meetings.

Location
Durham
Requisition Number
401541446
Position Title
INFECTION CONTROL NURSE (M-F 8a-4:30p, occasional weekends)
Shift
First/Day
Job Family Level
F2
Full Time / Part Time
FULL TIME
Regular / Temporary
Regular
Department Name
DRH-INFECTION CONTROL
Minimum Qualifications
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.Education

BSN required

Experience

3 years of nursing experience required. One year of experience in infection prevention preferred OR coursework (i.e. NC SPICE or APIC ICE 101) in infection prevention preferred.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

Current or compact RN licensure in the state of North Carolina required. ???? BLS required. Certified in Infection Control (CIC) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must be able to safely lift up to 50 pounds.

Must display a neat, clean, professional appearance.

Must understand importance of and maintain confidentiality of patient information.

Exhibit an attitude, which promotes harmony and goodwill among patients, caregivers, and co-workers.

Must communicates clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.

Must communicate in a timely manner.

Must be able to listens effectively to patient, caregivers, co-workers, and supervisor.

Must participate in weekly and monthly on call schedule.