JOB SUMMARY: The Infection Control Specialist is responsible for the facility infection prevention and control program (IPCP), which is designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections. DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions listed below are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Oversight of the IPCP, which includes, at a minimum, the following elements: A system for preventing, identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases for all residents, staff, volunteers, visitors, and other individuals providing services under a contractual arrangement based upon the facility assessment and following accepted national standards; Assume the role of the community’s OSHA Safety Coordinator as required by the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Following written standards, policies, and procedures for the program, which must include, but are not limited to: A system of surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they can spread to other persons in the facility; When and to whom possible incidents of communicable disease or infections should be reported; Standard and transmission-based precautions to be followed to prevent spread of infections; When and how isolation should be used for a resident; including but not limited to: The type and duration of the isolation, depending upon the infectious agent or organism involved, and A requirement that the isolation should be the least restrictive possible for the resident under the circumstances. The circumstances under which the facility must prohibit employees with a communicable disease or infected skin lesions from direct contact with residents or their food, if direct contact will transmit the disease; and The hand hygiene procedures to be followed by staff involved in direct resident contact. A system for recording incidents identified under the facility’s IPCP and the corrective actions taken by the facility. Must perform the following duties and responsibilities: Collaborate with the facility leadership and corporate leadership to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual risk assessment, infection prevention goals, and action plan Partner with facility leaders, physicians, and local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention Establish a facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections of residents, staff, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread Conduct outbreak investigations Maintain a system for reporting possible incidents of communicable diseases to local, state, or national agencies as required Assist with the development of and maintain oversight the antibiotic stewardship program and monitor residents’ antibiotic use Assess the need for, develop, and present IPCP in-service education for individual departments, general orientation, and annual review as needed; education includes but is not limited to; Hand hygiene Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization Specific direct and indirect care settings Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and devices Use of isolation/barrier precautions when indicated Resident placement, transfer, and discharge Environmental hazards Use of patient care products and medical equipment Resident immunization programs Assess the need for, develop, and implement written policies and procedures for infection control, including those for standard precautions and for transmission-based precautions, including when these should be used, the duration of use, and the type of precautions needed for a particular infection or organism Enforce policies prohibiting staff with communicable diseases or infected skin lesions from direct contact with residents and their food, and enforce hand hygiene policies consistent with accepted standards of practices Serve as a member of the quality assessment and assurance committee Be accountable for surveillance of healthcare-acquired and community-acquired infections for residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors Assist with the maintenance and updating of staff and resident vaccination trackers Assist onsite with inspection surveys whenever possible Audit PPE stockpile par levels Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and ensure that the facility leaders are informed of appropriate issues; understand and comply with infection control, safety, and OSHA procedures and regulations Job Type: Full-time Pay: $95,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year Benefits: 401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Schedule: 8 hour shift Monday to Friday Experience: Infection control: 4 years (Required) Nursing: 4 years (Preferred) Staff training: 3 years (Required) Senior care: 3 years (Required) Ability to Relocate: Bergen County, NJ: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: In person