Infection Control Nurse(ICN

Job description

Infection Control Nurse(ICN)

Report to whom: Nursing Superintendent

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Supervises the maintenance of the established protocols for infection prevention e.g. isolation procedures, hand washing techniques used, the use of hand rub, change of IV set, change of central line dressing, availability of supplies, terminal cleaning of a unit, evaluation of equipment etc. in the hospital.
• Collection and tabulation of daily data of all incidents of hospital acquired infections.
• To make regular visit to the clinical area to make sure that the patient with particular infection receives an appropriate treatment in regard to the isolation precaution.
• Corrects and teaches staff whenever the need arises during rounds. E.g. unnecessary use of gloves, improper handling of equipment, practice of aseptic precautions etc.
• Participates in the formal teaching programs during the orientation of new staff.
• Carries out surveillance through regular contact with all hospital departments, particularly those providing patient care.
• During hospital rounds, should collect & maintain Various data related to dates and details of various Patients. Various data is then analyzed and interpreted together with the microbiologist.
• To share her concerns with microbiologist time to time to improve the hospital and implement measures to reduce the infections if any.
• Some of the information is then disseminated immediately, so that the required precaution may be taken to prevent the spread of infection.
• Co-ordinates between different departments and the hospital and public health Department.
• Identifying as promptly as possible infection hazards in patient's staff or equipment.
• Compiling records of infected patients from ward notifications, case notes, laboratory reports and information collected in routine visits and discussions.
• Arranging for prompt isolation of infected patients in accordance with hospital policy in co-operation with the consultant and ward sister.
• Checking by inspection that infection control and aseptic procedures are being carried out in accordance with the hospital policy.
• Liaison between lab and ward staff, informing heads of department and giving advice on medical, nursing, domestic, catering and other grades of staff, ensuring clearance specimens are taken before infected staff returns to duty.
• Prompt information of notifiable disease to medical officer for health in writing/by telephone.
• Informing other hospitals, general practitioners and others concerned when infected patients are discharged from hospital or transferred elsewhere and receiving relevant information from other hospitals or community where appropriate.
• Attending relevant committee meetings, CME s, seminars, workshops on infection control To update the knowledge.
• Conferring with the sterile supply manager about certain infections in the hospital.
• To make sure that the staff are educated and updated with the protocols in relation to the infection control.
• Monitoring and supervision of infection control practices among hospital staff.
• To arranges special teaching session to the staff and even for specific group of patients pertaining to the infection control and prevention.
• To collect data of patients with infection that requires isolation precaution and use of specific antibiotics.
• To inform any outbreak of infection.
• To plan, organize, develop and implement educational programs for all hospital employees including administrative and ancillary services which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase employee s awareness of existence of HAI, techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for hospital employees and patient.
• Collection of needle stick injury incidents and assisting Infection control team in PPE.
• Will be responsible for any other duties assigned by the Nursing Superintendent from time to time.