Infection Control Nurse

OVERVIEW:   The Infection Control Registered Nurse provides administrative, surveillance and consultative work in planning, developing, co-ordinating and administering an Infection Control Program at designated sites under a regional health authority. Work involves planning, organizing, implementing, evaluating the infection control program to ensure the program is carried out properly, effectively and efficiently throughout the region and educating stakeholders regarding infection control practices.

ESSENTIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides surveillance of healthcare or industry practices to identify problem areas and determines any necessary interventions; gathers related data (i.e. reviews lab reports and patient charts, communicates with facilities and units), inputs data into various report documents for analysis; provides education and training to program areas requiring changes; evaluates and reports on data.
• Reviews needs for education and training; develops, organizes, and delivers infection control education to staff, patients, and the community through either formal presentations or one on one counselling. Delivers formal presentations to staff during orientation or community group activities, and evaluates training requirements.
• Provides consultation and expertise to a variety of stakeholders on infection control practices based on an in-depth knowledge of infection control and best practice research.
• Investigates infection control outbreaks, conducts literature and internet research related to epidemiological studies and best practices; reviews and monitors statistical data, calculates infection rates, critically appraises significance of findings, and makes recommendations to address outcomes of outbreaks and/or changes in practice(s).

KNOWLEDGE:

• Infection prevention and control regulations and guidelines.
• Sterilization/decontamination, microbiology and infectious processes

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Completion of an Undergraduate Degree in Nursing from an approved college or university supplemented by an Infection Control Certification from the CDC, CDPH or CBIC
• 3+ years of experience