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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00181175 |
Description Activated On: 12/20/2025 2:43:16 PM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. The Infection Preventionist RN is a professional nursing position in the Facility's Clinics under the direction of the Nursing Director. The position performs professional nursing work in the prevention and control of infectious diseases in a Commonwealth operated nursing home and is responsible for coordinating mandated infection prevention and control program (IPCP) activities to prevent, detect, and mitigate communicable diseases and infections within a Commonwealth facility. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. 50% Work involves recommending and implementing policies, procedures, and processes for identifying, preventing, reporting, and controlling infectious diseases as well as for providing related nursing care; conducting outbreak investigations; and gathering and analyzing infection data to develop plans for the eradication of infectious diseases. Develops and conducts infection prevention and control education and training programs for facility staff; monitoring staff activities for compliance with IPCP requirements and initiating corrective actions; and advising facility staff on infection prevention and control requirements and best practices. Work may involve the provision of direct care nursing care to individuals. Work may also involve the supervision of paraprofessional and non-professional nursing staff. The position is responsible for monitoring clinical contracts; internal clinic services and appointments; Central Supply services including sterilization and ordering of supplies; on site laboratory services; and Employee Health. Routinely consults with the Medical Director and Nursing Director. The position is responsible for carrying out and overseeing all facets of the infection control program in the Center and acts as the liaison agent between all departments and the Infection Control Committee. 25% Develops risk reduction strategies and implements process improvement initiatives to prevent the onset and spread of infectious diseases at a long-term care facility. Collects, reviews, analyzes, and interprets clinical data to identify infection trends. Conducts outbreak investigations and studies infection trends to determine the sources of infection and creates mitigation plans to contain the spread of disease. Monitors the treatment and care of residents with infectious diseases and infected wounds based on data such as laboratory results and in collaboration with physicians and pharmacists. Identifies areas of deficiencies and develops plans to educate staff on proper infection control procedures and processes. 20% Assesses and the monitors the effectiveness and efficiency of sterilization and disinfection methods used throughout the Center. Identifies training needs and plans and conducts infection control education and training for staff to include demonstrating work methods, techniques, and procedures. Leads interdisciplinary teams in the identification and establishment of infection prevention goals and objectives for quality assurance and performance improvement. Develops and implements monitoring processes designed to identify infectious disease characteristics, such as occurrences, incubation periods, communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and susceptibility. Reviews and interprets written or electronic medical records, physicians’ orders, pharmacy reports, and laboratory and diagnostic tests to identify infections, assess their cause, and monitor symptoms. Monitors the treatment and care of residents for adherence to IPCP requirements and communicates findings to nursing staff. Designs and implements processes to monitor for appropriate use of antibiotics, improve resident antibiotic success rates, and reduce antibiotic resistance. Establishes processes to treat infected individuals. Establishes protocols regarding the type and duration of isolation for individuals exposed to communicable diseases. Determines the circumstances under which the facility must prohibit employees with a communicable disease from having direct contact with residents. Implements policies and procedures for the care of employees and residents who have or may have been exposed to infectious diseases. Monitors the health status of employees and residents and ensures they receive appropriate medical tests in accordance with federal, state, and local infectious disease policies and guidelines. Creates procedures for documenting incidents and corrective actions taken and maintains a process for reporting incidents of infectious diseases to federal, state, and local agencies. Identifies training needs and plans and conducts infection control education and training for staff, to include demonstrating work methods, techniques, and procedures. Collaborates with facility staff to ensure proper infection control policies and procedures are followed. Monitors infection control practices to ensure compliance with the requirements of regulatory entities. Work is reviewed through reports, conferences, and overall effectiveness of the IPCP. 5% Performs a full range of supervisory duties. This position may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements. Performs related work as required. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Makes independent decisions of a routine nature based on professional training, job knowledge, and competency; consults with Nursing Director, Medical Director, or Staff Physicians for guidance in any unusual, high-risk critical incidents/situations. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: 1. Possession of an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Certificate of Mastery issued by the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care (NADONALTC); or possession of an active Certified in Infection Control (CIC) Certificate as issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC); or possession of an active Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) certification as issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC). 2. Possession of an active license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the Pa. State Board of Nursing; or possession of an active non-renewable temporary practice permit issued by the Pa. State Board of Nursing. If in possession of a non-renewable temporary practice permit, must obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse within the one (1) year period defined by the Pa. State Board of Nursing. Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Registered Nurse 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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