Infection Control Coordinator at Memorial Health Care Center – Owosso, Michigan

JOB SUMMARY

The Infection Control Coordinator works under direct supervision of the Infection Control Manager. Performs targeted surveillance throughout the hospital in order to identify, investigate, analyze, document, report, and communicate data concerning potential infectious disease outbreaks among patients and staff. Responsible to assist with research to identify evidence-based infection control measures as set forth by such entities as the CDC, MDCH; APIC, SHEA, WHO, TJC, and Michigan legislation. Strives for superior performance by consistently providing a product or service to leadership and staff that is recognized as ultimately contributing to the patient and family experience. As a customer-focused team member he/she must be accessible, flexible, knowledgeable and responsive.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Collects, review, analyzes and interprets surveillance data and recommends appropriate actions to clinicians and infection control department targeted to reduce or eliminate infectious risk in patients and staff.
2. Conducts investigations which include interviewing, assessing, reasoning, follow-up and report suspected infectious outbreaks. Conducts activities related to exposure of patients and employees to communicable diseases. Assesses positive cultures, including but not limited to; blood, urine, wound, stool.
3. Properly classifies as hospital acquired or community acquired through concurrent or retrospective review of the patient charts and reports to regulatory bodies as required.
4. Develops, reviews, evaluates, and implements infection control policies and procedures to improve quality of care and meet or exceed current recommended guidelines.
5. Provides education, training, orientation and in-service related to Infection Control for Memorial Healthcare employees and other as necessary.
6. Provides infection control support to the Long-Term Care units.
7. Collaborates and provides support to Employee Health.
8. Demonstrates job related aspects of patient safety to assure a safe environment, safe and effective use of equipment and technology, and decreased risk of potential adverse patient occurrences.
9. Must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide age-appropriate care for patients when assigned to a unit.
10. Must be able to exercise discretion and independent judgement regarding matters of significance related to infection control.
11. Demonstrates the knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's and division's policies and procedures.
12. Demonstrates knowledge of and supports hospital mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality statements, corporate compliance plan, customer service standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

DEPARTMENTAL AND ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

1. Graduate from an accredited school of nursing required.
2. Unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the state of Michigan required.
3. Bachelors of Science in Nursing preferred.
4. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) and completion of CDC’s or APIC’s Basic Course in Infection control preferred

EXPERIENCE

1. Minimum of one-year clinical experience required.
2. Infection Control experience is strongly preferred.
3. Demonstrates a clear working knowledge of basic infection control and prevention practices as set forth by OSHA, MDCH, CDC, APIC, and The Joint Commission regulations.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES/MOTOR SKILLS

1. Able to travel independently throughout all Memorial Healthcare facilities.
2. Small motor skills required for operating modern computer, office, and telephone equipment as utilized by Memorial Healthcare (MHC).
3. Ability to travel independently from one location to another throughout the hospital and hospital satellite offices.
4. Requires frequent (40-60%) sitting or reading, standing and walking.
5. Requires continuous (80% or more) performance of detailed tasks, interruptions, and changing work priorities.
6. Must be able to push, pull or lift 25 pounds.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL ABILITIES

1. Have hand-eye coordination for administration of vaccines, TB tests, etc.
2. Be proficient in the use of appropriate computer applications such as Microsoft Office including Excel spreadsheets for statistical tracking and reporting, and PowerPoint presentations.
3. Be proficient in use of the Internet to perform appropriate research.

ESSENTIAL MENTAL ABILITIES

1. Ability to adapt and maintain focus in fast paced, quickly changing or stressful situations.
2. Ability to read and interpret a variety of documents including, but not limited to policies, operating instructions, white papers, regulations, rules and laws.
3. Understand medical terminology.
4. Conduct research/quality improvement studies.
5. Develop reports.
6. Identify relationships between events (epidemiology).
7. Organize and file.
8. Interpret lab data.
9. Organize information and present to a variety of audiences in an understandable manner.
10. Perform independently.

ESSENTIAL SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

1. Able to see for the purpose of reading information received in formats including but not limited to paper, computer, reports, bulletins, updates, manuals.
2. Able to see and hear for work-related purposes.
3. Communicate receptively and expressively in English, both written and spoken, with physicians, staff, volunteers, and patients.
4. Read lab data, reports, etc.
5. Maintain self-control.
6. Accurately hear communication by phone or in person.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

1. Ability to interact with co-workers, hospital staff, administration, patients, physicians, the public and all internal and external customers in a professional and effective, courteous and tactful manner, at all times, physically, verbally and in all written and electronic communication.
2. Required to remain calm when adversity is encountered.
3. Open, honest, and tactful communication skills.
4. Ability to work as a team member in all activities.
5. Positive, cooperative and motivated attitude.
6. Maintain Confidentiality