Registered Nurse - Infection Preventionist

ResponsibilitiesDevelop and maintain a learning culture amongst nurses, particularly in the specialist field in which they work.Be an expert registered nurse with advanced education, training or certification in their specialised area of practice. Specialty practice may be defined by population, clinical setting, disease/medical subspecialty and type of care or type of problem.Be a role model and always seek to improve the safety and quality of care delivered to patients in the specialist field.Be a member of the interprofessional team as a subject‑matter expert in his/her field of specialization.Support and lead audit and data collection in their area of specialization for KPIs and benchmarking.Support the nurse educator with training programmes, training needs analysis within the specialised field.Support patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.Develop problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.Serve as a resource person regarding policy, procedure and standards.Conduct Infection Control link nurses’ meetings, prepare minutes and submit to Head of PCID for approval.Develop, revise and implement plans to facilitate goal attainment; value differences by listening and appreciating others’ points of view.Establish quality criteria, identify and maintain Key Performance Indicators against which infection control practice can be measured in line with evidence‑based data and standards set by CDC and JCI.Recommend space, technology, equipment, staffing and other resources needed by the department or service.OperationalEnsure that all infection prevention and control policies, guidelines and protocols are evidence‑based and are updated as required.Implement an efficient surveillance programme system to facilitate the prompt identification of patients and staff with infection in line with the NMC Royal Hospital Infection Control Programme.Ensure that satisfactory structures are in place for the prevention and control of infection.Act as specialist resource in providing infection prevention and control knowledge and expertise to healthcare staff.Coordinate and direct daily infection prevention and control practices.Advise on isolation and cohort methods and supervise the implementation of such techniques in specific situations.Maintain effective communication structures and networks which ensure that infection prevention and control information is conveyed effectively.Make recommendations for change and improvements in infection prevention and control practice, plan, negotiate, implement and evaluate any changes necessary.Promote good inter‑professional teamwork.Ensure cost effectiveness is encompassed as criteria in all decision‑making relating to infection control.Implement health promotion strategies for patients in accordance with MOH.Collaborate with other members of the health‑care team in the hospital and ensure that a standardised approach to infection prevention control is maintained.Actively promote best practice through Infection Prevention and Control Committees.Provide mentorship, preceptorship, teaching, facilitation and professional supervisory skills for nurses, midwives and other employees.Monitor and critically evaluate the practices and resources used through audit and risk management.Participate in the implementation and evaluation of interdisciplinary audit systems in relation to infection prevention and control. Use the outcomes of audit to improve service provision.Provide feedback through verbal and written reporting.Evaluate equipment and products which may impact on infection‑control practice and patient care.Develop cohesive links with other infection‑control nurse specialists in the MOH Preventive Medicine to ensure that infection‑control programmes are in line with MOH.Collate and record relevant data and information and present progress reports on an ongoing basis as required.Coordinate Infection Prevention and Control Committee meetings and maintain all meeting minutes; provide accurate, timely and relevant information on control of infection as requested by the committee and others as appropriate.Prepare an annual programme and report it in the PCI Committee.Advise and participate in the procurement, commissioning, tendering and purchasing of patient‑care and medical equipment as pertaining to infection prevention and control.Participate in quality improvement initiatives for the enhancement of patient care.Support administration with employee health databases, maintain complete and accurate employee health records.Ensure vaccination of staff, follow‑up on infectious diseases, sharp injuries, potential exposure of blood/body fluid/chemical.Report any untoward incident or accident on the hospital premises involving a patient, visitor or staff member.Conduct risk assessments at least annually and as needed.Design, implement and evaluate programmes of infection‑control edu