Senior Staff Nurse (Infection Control)

Job Responsibilities:

·       Conduct regular infection surveillance activities and collect and record data on the presence of infections among patients, employees and visitors.

·       Investigate and analyze healthcare-associated infections in conjunction with infectious diseases and prepare a healthcare-associated infection monthly report for the hospital Infection Control Committee.

·       Communicate infection control policies and procedures to all staff.

·       Review and update policy and procedures with the Infection Control Committee members.

·       Communicate to the staff about hospital isolation policies and procedures and ensure that measures are appropriate to improve the care of children in isolation.

·       Maintain a system for reporting possible incidents of communicable diseases to local, state, or national agencies as required.

·       Collaborate with the facility leadership to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual infection prevention goals and action plan.

·       Act as a resource person on Infection Control and support for nurses in clinical areas.

·       Performs bedside nursing care for a number of hours per month as required and as deemed necessary.

·       Enforce policies prohibiting staff with communicable diseases or infected skin lesions from direct contact with others and enforce hand hygiene policies consistent with accepted standards of practices.

·       Conduct infection control in-service education to new employees and continuing education for all existing hospital employees about the importance of Infection Control.

·       Conduct inspection of high-risk patient care areas and environment and food service areas, in conjunction with the Preventive Medicine Department.

·       Prepare monthly statistics and other reports on Infection Control in the hospital.

·       Ensure timely and accurate notification of reportable communicable diseases to the department of Preventive Medicine.

·       Liaise with the appropriate Committee to evaluate and reduce any risk of healthcare-associated infection during construction and renovation projects.

·       Participate in or conduct special projects related to Infection Control.

·       Oversight Occupational Health Department and ensures that all employees comply with the employment immunization policies.

·       Participate in product evaluation and conduct outbreak investigations.

·       Serve as a role model for all staff assisting in promoting and sharing knowledge via mentorship and preceptorship programs in accordance with evidence-based practice.

·       Act as a preceptor/mentor in the supervision and teaching of new staff or students in the development of competencies required.

·       Welcome and actively participate in staff/student orientation, promoting and supporting a positive learning environment and transcultural principles in nursing practice.

·       Participates in service activities that contribute to positive patient outcomes, a positive patient experience and a healthy professional environment.

·       Participates in and/or has the ability to lead under the guidance, support and direction of senior staff, the development of programs or quality initiatives that seek to measure and contribute to patient outcomes e.g., clinical auditing, performance improvement activities, and data collection.

·       Adhere to Codes of Professional conduct working within and accepting responsibility for maintaining agreed levels of competence.

·       Other duties as directed.

 Education:

·       Essential: A Bachelor’s degree in Pediatric or Child Health Nursing from an accredited institute/college/university OR A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing of at least three (3) years duration from an accredited institute/college/university. Post Graduate Diploma in Infection Control or certification in infection control

·       Preferred: Participation in quality or organizational improvement projects    Master’s in nursing (MAN/MSN) OR Public Health (MPH) / Certified in Infection Control (CIC)

Experience:

·       Minimum three (3) years clinical nursing experience in a hospital dealing with pediatric patients and one year as team leader experience or acting charge nurse experience in infection control. OR

·       Minimum of two (2) years nursing experience, education, training as an infection control nurse (RN)

Certification and Licensure:

·       Valid and current professional Nursing license from country of origin

·       Ability to qualify for UAE nursing licensure requirements

·       American Heart Association Basic Life Support training.  American Heart Association Basic Life Support training.