Nurse RN - Infection Control Specialist presso Community Healthcare Network (CHN)

WHO WE ARE:

Community Healthcare Network (CHN) is a not-for-profit organization providing more than 65,000 New Yorkers with primary and behavioral healthcare, dental, nutrition, wellness, and needed support services.

Our network is made up of 14 federally qualified health centers throughout Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan, along with a fleet of mobile vans that bring health services to underserved people in need throughout New York City. We provide judgment-free, high-quality healthcare, without regard to race, religion, orientation, gender identity, immigration status or ability to pay. We turn no one away.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Growth and development: Access to various healthcare professionals and benefits to deepen understanding and interest in the various disciplines involved in community health programming.
• Supportive Team culture: Be a part of an interdisciplinary environment where your ideas and work are valued and encouraged.
• Comprehensive benefits: Including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement plans, employee assistance programming and more.  

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Registered Nurse (RN) carries out patient care responsibilities and executes provider’s orders with emphasis on decision-making related to the steps in the nursing process to include assessment, identification of expected outcomes, planning, implementation and evaluation of the patient's response to their care. These responsibilities also include patient/family/significant other education and health maintenance strategies. The RN is a member of a multi-disciplinary health care team and collaborates and coordinates with team members to provide integrated quality patient care and achieve desired patient outcomes. The Registered Nurse demonstrates knowledge of the principles of human growth and development over the life span, recognizes socioeconomic and psychiatric barriers to healthcare, and has 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 or her age, specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described by standards and policy and procedures.

As an Infection Control Specialist, the RN would specializes in identifying, controlling, and preventing outbreaks of infection in healthcare settings and the community.  Activities include the collection and analysis of infection-control data; the planning, implementation, and evaluation of infection control measures; the education of individuals about infection control  and the development of health systems policies and procedures to ensure rigorous infection control standards that meet Joint Commission, OSHA, Department of Health and CDC requirements; the investigation of suspected outbreaks of infection; and the provision of consultation on infection risk assessment, prevention and control strategies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.    Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the nursing regime for all clinic patients/clients.

2.    Executes provider orders using sound judgment and administers medication as prescribed.

3.    Conferences with providers as necessary when in his/her professional judgment a prescribed medical regime needs interpretation and/or clarification.

4.    Educates the patient/family regarding health status and established plan of care incorporating RN Visits and Standing Orders. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to modify expected outcomes. 

5.    Collaborates with appropriate members of the health team to facilitate the highest quality of services.

6.    Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols and medication administration and storage procedures.

7.    Participates in maintaining standards of nursing practice.

8.    Participates in interdisciplinary meetings.

9.    Triage and assessment of  walk-in patients.

10.    Performs waived testing and venipuncture as necessary.

11.    Follows up on abnormal labs, reports and referrals as necessary.

12.    Maintains nursing supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.

13.    Implements specific responsibilities as delegated by Center Leadership and/or Director of Nursing.

14.    Maintains nursing competence through participation in continuing professional education and other appropriate learning experience. 

15.    Facilitates related services for health center patients and CHN staff as appropriate, with respect to their confidentiality and privacy.

16.    Maintain a safe and clean working environment in compliance with healthcare procedures and regulations.

17.    Works assigned shifts at locations other than primary assigned work site when necessary as deemed by management and in accordance with CHN Policy.

18.    Performs other duties, as assigned.

                                                                                      Infection Control Specialist

1.    Coordinates all Infection Control procedures in consultation with the Director of Infection Control or designee by Chief Medical Officer.

2.     Develop, implement, monitor and revise infection control policies and procedures to assure compliance with the standards

3.    Reviews the Infection Control Manual annually or more frequently as needed to ensure policies comply with regulatory and accrediting agencies. 

4.    Chairs and attends all meetings of the Infection Control Committee and participates in other committees as assigned by Director of Nursing.

5.    Utilizes a risk assessment to draft each sites Infection Control Plan and annually reviews, evaluates, and updates plan based upon surveillance data findings.

6.    Acts as nursing department liaison for Infection Control and as consultant for CHN to integrate Infection Control activities.

7.    Assists in planning with other departments and personnel to reduce the risk of disease transmission and improved infection control practices.

8.    Collaborates with appropriate representative of other disciplines and agencies concerned with patient services to provide coordinated services to patients for the improvement of overall patient care

9.    Makes regular site visits to ensure all policies and procedures are standardized and has follow-up site visits to clinics where correction plans are to be implemented.

10.    In-services of all new employees during orientation regarding Infection Control techniques and Policies and Procedures. Provides annual updates as needed.

11.    Educate individuals and groups about the risk, prevention, transmission, and control of infection, disease-specific care, appropriate precautions, and appropriate assessments.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

•    Currently registered to practice as a Registered Nurse in New York State.

•    Minimum of one (1) year experience working as an RN

•    Current CPR certificate or plan to attend a CPR training course within six (6) months of employment.

•    Current Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) or will obtain within six (6) months of employment.

•    Member in APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) preffered 

•    Maintain (10) continuing nursing education credits in infection prevention and control annually

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

1.    Demonstrates competence as a Registered Nurse.

2.    Ability to relate comfortably and professionally to all clients/patients in discussing their individual needs for ongoing health maintenance and education.

3.    Ability to work both independently and cooperatively in a team relationship to meet the objectives of the program.

4.    Strong verbal and written communications skills.

5.    Demonstrates commitment to continuing development of nursing knowledge.

6.    Strong interpersonal skills.

7.    Computer literate.

8.    Working knowledge of OSHA Blood borne Pathogen Standards, OSHA Tuberculosis Protection, Title 22, state and federal laws related to communicable diseases, and JCAHO Standards

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