Nurse, (RN) Infec Prevention

Under the direction of the Director, Infection Prevention (RN, CIC) in collaboration with Environment of Care and Environmental Services, the Infection Prevention Registered Nurse, is responsible to participate in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of the aspects of infection prevention and control activities within AltaMed Health Services Corporation. This individual contributes to the prevention of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) by isolating sources of infections and limiting their spread; systematically collects, analyzes and interprets health data in order to plan, implement, evaluate and disseminate appropriate public health practices.

The Infection Prevention RN will train healthcare staff through instruction and dissemination of information on infection control practices. This individual is responsible for assisting with the implementation of the regulatory requirements, stipulated by CMS, DHCS, HRSA, OSHA, CDC, The Joint Commission, California Department of Public Health, and ensure that Sterilization and High Level Disinfection processes meet regulatory standards and regulations.  

Infection Prevention Registered Nurse will collaborate with the Infection Prevention support staff, and assist as appropriate the provision of direct observation of the infection prevention precautions and practices that occur in the clinic environment and business occupancy. This individual will share concerns and new developments as they occur with the Director of Infection Prevention. This individual will ensure that infection prevention support staff, coordinators, Autoclave Specialists and Environmental Aides are trained, competent, and suited for their positions, in compliance with Federal, State and OSHA regulations. This individual will help to enhance a culture of safe sterilization and disinfection processes, by assisting the coordinators to increase awareness of infection prevention practices. This individual will encourage engagement of the Infection Prevention Team and the Autoclave Specialists by providing education, and implementing innovative strategies of the program. This individual will assist with the prevention of infectious diseases such as: meningitis, hepatitis and influenza by observing the activities of the employees in the work environment.

The Infection Prevention RN, supports the Director of Infection Prevention in the development and execution of continuous process improvement initiatives, while collaborating with cross-functional leaders in Health Services, Ancillary Services, Senior Care Services, Dental Services, Facilities, Employee Health and Business Occupancy.

1. Works in collaboration with the Director of Infection Prevention by participating in the design, development, and implementation of the Infection Prevention Annual Risk Assessment, Infection Prevention Program, Infection Prevention Plan, and annual Employee Health events.
2. Contributes to the development and continuous improvement of Infection Prevention systems that support the planning process.
3. Provides evidence-based information/literature to meet the informational and educational needs of the healthcare staff, physicians, administrative staff, and community of infection prevention and control precautions and practices.
4. Collaborates with the Director of Infection Prevention and Environmental Services to review and revise cleaning and disinfection guidelines/processes for terminal cleaning, equipment, high touch disinfection, and development of staff education materials, including workflow guides.
5. Conducts onsite Infection Prevention Rounds for AltaMed’s business lines: Health Services, Ancillary Services, Senior Care Services, Dental Services, Facilities, Employee Health and Business Occupancy to assess compliance with infection prevention standards.
6. Assists the Director of Infection Prevention to ensure that Dental/Medical clinic site are monitoring the Sterilization and Disinfection program occurs routinely, and the provision of the Sterilization and Disinfection Education of Staff.
7. Supports monitoring processes of the Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA) prior to and throughout Construction & Renovation (Environmental Evaluations) projects in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
8. Surveillance:
   • Collection of healthcare associated infection data through appropriate informational systems and observation in the clinical environment.
   • Assists with incorporating successful performance improvement strategies to contribute to the prevention of healthcare associated infections.
   • Conducts Infection Prevention rounds for Isolation Utilization and Environment of Care Standards Compliance.
   • Reports to the Director of Infection Prevention when new Infection Prevention issues are identified.
9. Prevention of infections:
   • Monitors effects of intervention strategies on infection rates.
   • Provides input into sterilization, high level disinfection, sanitizing, disinfection and cleaning procedures and their agents.
   • Provides input into reducing the risk of infections associated with medical/dental equipment, devices, and supplies.
   • Provides input into the linen and waste management programs.
   • Provides input into new product/equipment analysis and acquisition.
   • Provides input for: storing and disposing medical equipment, devices, and supplies.
   • Provides timely reports on the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention Program to the Infection Prevention Director.
10. Responsible for reporting infectious diseases to local, state, and federal public health authorities in accordance with law and regulation, in the absence of the Director of Infection Prevention.
11. Serves as a member of the Infection Control Committee assisting the Director of Infection Prevention with preparation of monthly reports, presentation, program agenda and ensures completion of action items.
12. Supports the Director of Infection Prevention with review and revision of organization wide departmental infection prevention policies and procedures as needed, but no less than every 2 years.
13. Assists the Director of Infection Prevention with compliance of Department of Health Care Services and Joint Commission standards, as well as implementation of CDC Guidelines for preventing infection.
14. Provides coverage in the absence of the Director of Infection Prevention.
15. Conducts Outbreak investigations and other surveillance studies when appropriate in collaboration with the Director of Infection Prevention.
16. Assists the Director of Infection Prevention in conducting and completing infection prevention performance improvement strategies, including but not limited to Focus Review, Gap Analysis for new Guidelines or Standards, Performance Improvement Teams, and/or Root Cause Analysis.
17. Works collaboratively with Employee Health for post-exposure follow-up and compliance with both Tuberculosis/Airborne Transmissible Diseases and Blood borne Pathogens Exposure Control Plans.
18. Performs other related duties as assigned.

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing school required.
2. Minimum of 3 years hospital/outpatient setting experience required.
3. Experience as an Infection Control/Prevention Nurse or Certification in Infection Prevention
4. CIC Certification is highly desirable, and required after 4 years of experience in Infection Prevention.
5. Current California RN license.