Infection Control/Wound Care Nurse at Colusa Medical Center – Colusa, California

POSITION TITLE: Infection Control/Wound Care Nurse

DEPARTMENT: Nursing

EMPLOYEE REPORTS TO: CEO/CAO

SUPERVISES: N/A

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time

POSITION SUMMARY

The Infection Control/ Wound Care Nurse directs managerial functions of planning, organizing, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the Infection Control Program. The ICN has the authority of Medical Staff and Governing Body to take necessary steps to prevent and/or control the acquisition and transmission of infectious agents in the patient, staff, and visitor populations. The Infection Control Nurse (ICN) is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, and reporting of hospital acquired infections; educating employees about infection control; and the development of organizational infection control standards that meet state and federal regulatory and accrediting bodies, CDC, OSHA, and APIC guidelines.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid LVN license in California.

• Strong organizational, time management, and communication skills.

• Familiarity with wound care products and infection prevention protocols.

• 2+ years of clinical experience in wound care or infection prevention preferred.

• Previous experience in an acute care, long-term care, or similar healthcare setting desirable.

• Must obtain certification in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Wound Care within 6 months of hire and maintain active certification throughout employment to meet industry standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Wound Care

• Assess, treat, and document wounds for patients in accordance with wound care protocols.

• Perform debridement, dressing changes, and other wound care procedures within scope of practice.

• Educate staff, patients and families about wound care management and prevention strategies.

• Collaborate with providers, nurses, and other healthcare specialists to develop and update individualized wound care treatment plans.

• Making rounds and follow up weekly with wound care provider.

• Includes other duties assigned by Director of Nursing or CAO.

Infection Prevention & Control

• Implement infection control measures, including isolation precautions and sterilization techniques in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern such requirements in nursing care facilities

• Conduct surveillance of infection rates and report findings to the infection control committee.

• Educate staff on infection prevention protocols, including hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and safe handling of biohazard materials.

• Develop and implement infection prevention policies and procedures in collaboration with the DON.

• Tasks involve light contact with moist body substances, non-intact skin or mucous membranes. Department procedures define and require use of minimum protective measures to perform the task.

• Ensure that the facility is in compliance with current CDC, OSHA, and local regulations concerning infection control or standard/ universal precautions.

• Includes other duties assigned by Director of Nursing or CAO.

Collaboration and Education

• Serve as a resource for wound care and infection prevention best practices to nursing and clinical staff.

• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and provide input on wound care and infection control.

• In collaboration with DON, offer ongoing training sessions to staff on wound care products, techniques, and infection prevention measures.

• Educate/In-service of nursing staff, new hires, and yearly to ensure competency nursing personnel

• Assist all departments in evaluating and classifying routine and job-related functions to ensure that tasks involving exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identifies.

• Working knowledge of OSHA Blood borne Pathogen Standards, OSHA Tuberculosis, Title 22, State and Federal laws related to communicable disease, and DNV Standards.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate documentation of wound care treatments, infection prevention activities, and patient progress in electronic medical records (EMR).

• Prepare infection surveillance reports and data analysis for infection control meetings per facility protocol and accrediting body standards.

• Prepare infection surveillance reports and data analysis for monthly reporting to National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

• Prepare infection surveillance reports and data analysis of ‘reportable’ cases for County Public Health.

• Maintain culture and sensitivity logs for Hospital Acquire Infection tracking for Emergency Department, Acute Care, and Medical Specialty Centers.

• Prepare infection surveillance reports and data analysis for Internal auditing and Quality improvement projects.