IVH-C REGISTERED INFECTION PREVENTIONIST NURSE II

Essential Functions

• Under the direction of the Senior Infection Prevention Supervisor and Director of Nursing, educates and trains facility staff in relevant infection control policies and procedures at start of their employment, annually and as needed thereafter, including when policies are updated and revised.
• Conducts annual facility self-assessments to identify gaps in infection prevention practice using structured tools from Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and/or Central Management Services (CMS) and plans process improvement activity to close gaps.
• Investigates outbreaks of communicable diseases, including contact tracing, timely notification of local health department and jurisdictional Veteran's Administration (VA) Medical Center.
• Manages vaccination programs end to end in compliance with recommendations cold chain management, vaccine administration, and fulfillment of reporting requirements for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis B, and other vaccines.
• In collaboration with other Veteran Homes infection control specialists, reviews, and updates system­wide infection control policies and procedures considering evolving guidance from public health authorities.
• Manages Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) mandated program to prevent transmission of communicable disease to staff including:
  (a) The Respiratory Protection Program, including selection of respirators, medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators, fit testing procedures, training of employees in proper use, and optimizing the supply of N95 masks; and
  (b)The Bloodborne Pathogen Program, including an exposure control plan, use of universal precautions, engineering controls, work-practice controls, and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), hepatitis B immunization.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires (a) graduation from an approved nursing education program resulting in an associate or diploma degree in nursing and two (2) years of progressively responsible professional nursing experience; or (b) a bachelor's degree in nursing and one (1) year of professional nursing experience; or (c) a master's degree in nursing.
• Requires licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience developing and coordinating test and response plans with interdisciplinary team.
• Two (2) years of experience preparing accurate, detailed reports.
• Two (2) years of experience data collection and analysis report writing, and data presentation.
• One (1) year of experience as an Infection Preventionist Nurse.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of State and Federal policies, procedures, regulations guidelines.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a current Infection Control and Epidemiology Certification or attainment within one (1) year of employment.
• Requires ability pass a background check.
• Requires ability to meet all agency vaccine/health-related policies and guidance.
• Requires ability pass a drug screen and pre-employment physical
• Requires ability utilize office equipment, including personal computers.
• Requires ability acquire and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
• Requires ability attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• This position is considered light work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(b)). Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. This job may require a good deal of walking or standing or involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.
• Overtime is a condition or employment, and you may be required to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.  
  
  The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.