JOB TITLE: INFECTION CONTROL COORDINATOR, CORRECTIONS

JOB CODE: 47646

DEFINITION: This is professional and administrative medical work in the field of health care administration in planning, organizing, directing, and managing a comprehensive infection control program for the Department of Corrections.

The employee in this job is responsible for developing and administering an infection control program including developing policies and procedures designed to monitor communicable diseases involving inmates, employees, and visitors. Work involves implementation of infection control standards consistent with the regulations and guidelines disseminated by the Department of Corrections, Department of Health, accreditation organizations, and applicable state and federal laws. The employee in this job is also responsible for providing administrative oversight and direction to all agency infection control nurses. Work is performed independently under the general direction of an administrative supervisor and is reviewed for completeness through conferences, reports, and meetings.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Implements and monitors an infection control program which includes methods to prevent, detect, and treat diseases.

• Provides direction and assistance to designated infection control nurses in the investigation of all significant illnesses and infections.

• Serves as liaison between Department of Corrections, Department of Health, and county health departments.

• Serves as a member of the centralized Quality Improvement and Infectious Disease Control committees.

• Establishes a formal state-wide mechanism for the reporting of illnesses and infections within the department and incorporates uniform measures and factors into a comprehensive medical tracking system.

• Provides a written analysis of illnesses and infections in coordination with the designated infection control nurses and corrections health care administrators.

• Prepares monthly reports that identify patterns of illnesses and infections and recommends corrective actions.

• Develops and coordinates the implementation of infection control educational in-service programs for staff and inmates.

• Provides input and advice to the Chief, Clinical Services Division, Corrections, regarding the development and distribution of uniform communicable disease prevention and control educational literature to staff and inmates.

• Interprets and implements Department of Corrections, Department of Health, and Occupational Safety Health Administration policies, procedures, and guidelines and accreditation standards concerning isolation and disposition of persons who have community acquired or nosocomial illnesses and infections that require special treatment and care.

• Provides input concerning required infectious disease control procedures relative to the use and purchase of new equipment.

• Keeps abreast of new developments in communicable disease prevention and control by reviewing professional literature and attending regular meetings of various infection control organizations.

• Makes annual on-site visits to each correctional institution.

• Develops and implements policies and procedures relating to sanitation, laundry, infectious waste, dietary supplies, housing arrangements, and custodial care and medical practices.

• Instructs and educates institutional medical staff on infection control policies and procedures.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the concepts, principals, and practices of infectious disease control surveillance.

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, accreditation standards, and appropriate medical practices related to proper infectious disease control methods.

• Knowledge of quality improvement programs and methods.

• Ability to interpret and apply infectious disease control policies and regulations.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be evaluated by the State Civil Service Commission or used for Civil Service examination purposes and are not position specific performance standards.):

• Knowledge of infectious disease monitoring systems and mechanisms.

• Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures related to health care services.

• Knowledge of methods of infectious disease isolation in a correctional setting.

• Ability to make decisions effectively.

• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and direct a comprehensive infection control program aimed at reducing the occurrence of infectious diseases.

• Ability to review, revise, and write policy.

• Ability to develop program plans and changes.

• Ability to monitor and evaluate an infection control program for effectiveness.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Four years of professional experience in the development or evaluation and coordination of an infection control program, and a bachelor’s degree in public health or a closely related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes four years of professional experience in the development or evaluation and coordination of an infection control program.