Job Abstract

Under direction, to assist in the planning, development and evaluation of the infection control program and to conduct surveillance and reporting activities and education programs for all hospital personnel involved in patient care.



Final Filing Date: The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 10 days after issue date.

Proof of valid California Registered Nurse License is required. Only applicants who attach proof of their State of California license to their job application will be accepted. All applicants who do not attach verification will be rejected.

Better Health for All!
The County of Santa Clara owns and operates a Hospitals and Clinics Delivery System that includes Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, O'Connor Hospital, and St. Louise Regional Hospital.

Custody Health Services (CHS) - CHS provides medical, mental health, and dental services to patients in custody at the 3 County Jail facilities: Main Jail, Elmwood and Juvenile Detention facilities. CHS provides on-site routine and urgent/emergent medical services at both Main Jail and Elmwood adult detention facilities in Santa Clara County. Health care of incarcerated men and women includes care of acute and chronic illness as well as preventative and specialty care. CHS also runs a 43 single-bed acute psychiatric inpatient housing unit at the Main Jail. The services are provided for adult male and female patients who require acute inpatient services for stabilization. Juvenile Custody Health provides integrated medical services to justice involved youth housed in Juvenile Hall and in James Ranch to include comprehensive pediatric medical, mental health, and dental care.

Santa Clara Valley Medical Center - 731 bed tertiary level acute care hospital provides the highest level of adult and pediatric emergency medical and trauma services, a regional high risk Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, an ACS-verified Burn Trauma Center, a Primary Stroke Center, a CARF-accredited Rehabilitation Center, emergency and acute inpatient psychiatric services, as well as a range of other specialized services – in some cases the only such treatment in the region.

O'Connor Hospital -358 bed acute care facility offering a full range of inpatient and outpatient medical, surgical and specialty programs to more than 1 million residents of San Jose. O'Connor Hospital was founded in 1889 as one of the first hospitals in Santa Clara County.

St. Louise Regional Hospital - 93 bed acute care facility, affectionately known as South County's community hospital, is a Designated Primary Stroke Center, and is the only acute care hospital in the area. Located in Gilroy, St. Louise is one of the largest employers in the community.

• Collects data for analysis, interpretation and reporting of infections;
  
• Assists in identifying patterns and trends of infections;
  
• Investigates disease outbreaks and clusters, and employee exposure to communicable disease;
  
• Reports communicable diseases to the County Health Department;
  
• Prepares summaries of surveillance and exposure activities;
  
• Participates in follow-up or corrective action in relation to surveillance activities, as indicated by the Infection Control Supervisor, Hospital Epidemiologist and/or Infection Control Board;
  
• Presents infection control orientation for all nursing personnel;
  
• Assists in planning, presenting and evaluating yearly, and as needed, infection control programs for all hospital personnel involved in patient care practice;
  
• Presents informal educational information during ward rounds as part of surveillance and consultation responsibilities;
  
• Presents classes on specific infection control areas as indicated by assessment of hospital needs;
  
• Assists nursing and other hospital departments in development of current, accurate policies and procedures at least every two years or whenever necessary;
  
• Provides requested problem-solving assistance when infection control problems occur;
  
• Performs site visits on a regular basis to assist in the development of appropriate and cost effective infection control practices;
  
• Provides infection control consultation and representation on committees as appointed;
  
• Assists in the planning, development and evaluation of the infection control program;
  
• Functions, if appointed, as relief Infection Control Supervisor in his/her absence, in consultation with the Hospital Epidemiologist;
  
• Assists Infection Control Supervisor with departmental responsibilities as needed (e.g., surveys, consultations, disseminating infection control policies, etc.);
  
• Maintains professional development by attending and participating in professional organizations, e.g., Association for Practitioners in Infection Control (A.P.I.C.) and local Journal Club;
  
• Attends programs and conferences in infection control and other related subjects;
  
• Keeps abreast of current literature in the field of infection control;
  
• Seeks learning experience to maintain knowledge and skills necessary to function as an Infection Control Nurse.

Graduate of an approved nursing program (preferably BSN), currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in California and sufficient education and experience which demonstrate possession of the qualifications necessary to successfully perform the typical tasks noted above.

Experience Note: A qualified applicant would typically have educational preparation at the Bachelor's level (BSN), at least three years of acute care experience, and specialized training and expertise or experience in infection control in a teaching institution. Certification in Infection Control (C.I.C.) is preferred.