Infection Control Nurse

Title

Infection Control Nurse (ICN)

Location

Thane

Job Summary

An Infection Control Nurse's job necessitates planning, developing, directing, implementing and evaluating infection prevention and control activities within the hospital. As a member of the hospital infection control committee an infection control nurse supervises the infection control services for patients, visitors and staff. Advises and consult with physicians, Nurses and hospital personnel concerning precautions to be taken to protect patients, staff, and other persons from possible contamination or infection. Investigates infection control problems and arranges for follow-up care for persons exposed to infection or disease. Instructs hospital personnel in universal and specific infection control procedures.  Keeps the Chief Nursing Officer and General Manager - Operations informed of both progress and potential problems. Maintains operational aspects in collaboration with other service areas.

Job Profile

1. Take active participation in preparation and review of Infection Control Manual

2. Conduct regular rounds in hospital departments for discussing, monitoring and following the practices of infection control with staff people

3. Collect data on infections from hospital departments and maintaining records for every case.

4. Conduct training sessions to ensure constant implementation of infection control practices.

5. Conduct continuous surveillance for detecting the infection source for the purpose of prevention.

6. Follow and investigate  the incidents of hospital infections, generating reports and reporting them to Chief Nursing Officer and Infection Control Officer

7. Ensure the availability of supplies and place needed for isolation.

8. Implement educational programs for the provision of skills and knowledge regarding infection preventive measures and control practices to ensure a safe environment or surroundings to patients, visitors and staff.

9. Monitor the execution of preventive measures and provide guidance to staff.

10. Participate in unit meetings, in-service education programs, and quality improvement initiatives as assigned

11. Monitor compliance to infection control protocols

12. Actively participates in infection control surveillance activities of the hospital

13. Carry out environmental screening program to prevent incidence of outbreaks of infections

14. Keep track of  all invasive lines to identify and manage  any line related infections

15. Track down the source of an organism  s in the case of an outbreak of  infections and implement remedies for control and management of outbreak

16. Report infection outbreaks directly to the Chief Nursing Officer and General Manager - Operations  

17. Prepare monthly statistical information for presentations in infection control meetings.

18. Report any interference for the implementation of infection control practices.

19. Ensure that the staff is free from any infectious disease.

20. Initiate emergency, fire safety measures, and safety practices as necessary.

21. Educate employees about prevention and management of occupational exposure to

22. Establish protocols for biomedical waste segregation, transport and storage until handed over to the out sourced agency for treatment and disposal

23. Monitors compliance to bio-medical waste  handling protocols

24. Actively participates in orientation of new employees to infection control policies of the hospital

25. Participating in infection control team meetings and assisting in their organization.

26. Inform notifiable disease to medical records officer in writing/by telephone to ensure timely notification to the  Government authority

27. Maintain good interpersonal relationship with all employees, patients, families and community.

28. Ensure that patient's and or family's communications/requirements are attended or communicated to the concerned department/person

. Technical Skills:

• Highly energetic individual to develop teaching materials and training programs.
• Able to plan and obtain objectives to ensure the development of service.
• Knowledge of techniques for data collection.
• Able to conduct training seminars and exercises.
• Knowledge of nursing practice and theory.
• Good analysis and statistical collation skills.
• Able to lead staff and influence them.
• Able to work alone and as a part of a team.
• Good written, interpersonal, time management and presentation skills.
• Flexibility to meet a wide range of service needs

. Training Responsibilities

• Participates in staff educational program
• Help in orientation of new staff
• Participation in planned clinical teaching / SOP Training
• Completes Competency Assessments
• Supervise and guide Junior Staff nurses, Health Care Assistants and Housekeeping staff  
• Supervise patients and visitors for maintenance of health promotion

Skills

1. Communication Skills:

• Ability to comprehend verbal instructions given by the supervisor or head of the department / doctors.
• Ability to  comprehend and communicate effectively with patients, relatives, other departments and social and or community agencies
• Ability to comprehend written instructions given by the Doctors and the other related departmental personnel / doctors

2. Other Skills:

• Have an affinity for teamwork.
• Able to work accurately and with minimal supervision
• Technical skills required for using and maintaining the various equipments and the computer.
•  Ability to plan & organize ones work schedule effectively
• Very quick and prompt in handling patients and providing care
• Competent to handle different CODES used in the hospital for emergency situations

3. Emotional Maturity:

• Ability to handle & calm an emotionally sad, depressed, anxious patients and their relatives.
• Ability to calm patients who fear OT, procedures, equipment.

Experience

4 to 5yrs of clinical experience with at least 1year in Critical Care Areas

Qualification

Diploma /B. Sc Nursing from a Recognized institution with valid Nursing Council Registration from Maharashtra Nursing Council. Additional training related to Infection Control is desirable