Infection Control Nurse

• Supports staff in the care of patients with infection and collaborates with multidisciplinary care givers in revising treatment regimens.

• Demonstrates problem solving / critical thinking skills ensuring effective functioning of job performance.

• Assesses the educational needs of staff related to infection control and prevention, and assists in providing educational programs for staff in coordination with the unit nurse manager/designee.

• Teaches, supports, coaches and mentors nursing staff to promote evidence-based practice, knowledge, skills, and professional development related to infection control and prevention.

• Liaises with hospital departments in monitoring standards of care relating to infection control and prevention. Reviews appropriate policies, procedures and updates according to evidence based, best practices.

• Participates in unit/departmental meetings and committees/projects as required.

• Chairs the Infection Control link meetings and guides the link workers on best practices in infection control and prevention.

• Performs additional duties when required.

• Reports modifiable diseases to the Ministry and Department of Health/DHA thus ensuring American Hospital Dubai compliance with National health directives.

• Liaises with and updates the Physicians and multidisciplinary team for any significant changes in the plan of care of infections.

• Takes part in the nursing orientation to orient about infection control services.

• Assesses staff’s skills for wound care management and provides additional training as needed.

• Demonstrates knowledge of and the ability to render care and services based on needs, age appropriateness and developmental stage of patients.

• Performs infection control management in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures and best practice guidelines.

• Maintains accurate and thorough documentation following established standards.

• Conducts on-going surveillance using Center of Disease Control (CDC) criteria.

• Documents and investigates nosocomial infections through review of admission diagnosis, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, patient records, consultation requests and post-discharge surveillance.

• Conducts environmental rounds in all in-patient and out-patient care areas. Collect data on the incidence of selected device use in identified intensive care units.

• Participates in investigations of unusual hospital infections outbreaks utilizing the microbiology laboratory, consultation with Infectious Diseases Physician, Department of Health and report epidemiologically significant findings to appropriate customers.

• Provides input in the selection of Quality measures related to infection control and collects and analyses data accordingly.

• Reports all in-house patients with communicable disease to the health department and maintains appropriate records. Compiles and interprets surveillance reports to Infection Control committee, specialty areas and executive medical committee on a regular basis.

• Receives, collates and formats surveillance data into managerial reports and disseminates information to all end users.

• Acts as an advisory resource on Infection Control issues for Nursing Administration, In-patient and Out-patient Departments.

• Develops a close working relationship with all clinical staff in order to promote a consistent and collaborative approach to Infection Control including the Purchasing Department thereby ensuring that the Infection Control Nurse is consulted prior to the purchase of equipment/consumables which may have impact on patient care.

• Monitors and evaluates isolation, aseptic and patient care techniques in order to maintain optimum care to patients and safeguards American Hospital staff.

• Develops and updates isolation techniques and procedures in accordance with current standards of practice, rules and regulations.

• Makes recommendations regarding construction, renovation, environmental rounds, and assures compliance with national and/or professional standards.

• Maintains current knowledge of recent advances in Infection Control both international and local issues, promoting evidence-based practice at all times. Disseminates information as appropriate.

• Initiates new programs of education and training to facilitate changes in practice.

• In collaboration with units and departments, participates in the assessment of the equipment, techniques, products etc., in relation to Infection Control, making recommendations for specific education and training.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor Degree in Nursing (duration not less than three academic years)
• Post Graduate Degree or Diploma/Certificate of approved Infection Control course is preferable.