The Infection Control Nurse (ICN) is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Hospital Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program in accordance with NABH Standards, National Guidelines, Biomedical Waste Management Rules and applicable statutory requirements. The ICN will conduct surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), monitor infection control practices, educate healthcare workers, conduct audits and ensure compliance with infection prevention policies across all hospital departments.
Key Responsibilities1. Infection Prevention & Control Program
- Implement and monitor the hospital Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Program.
- Ensure compliance with NABH Infection Control Standards.
- Develop, review, and update infection control policies, SOPs and protocols.
- Coordinate Infection Control Committee meetings and prepare reports.
- Assist in annual infection control planning and quality improvement initiatives.
2. Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs)
- Conduct surveillance of HAIs including:
- CAUTI
- CLABSI
- VAP
- SSI
- Hospital-acquired infections
- Collect, analyze, and interpret infection surveillance data.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual infection control reports.
- Identify infection trends and recommend corrective actions.
3. Infection Control Audits
Conduct regular audits including:
- Hand Hygiene Compliance
- PPE Compliance
- Injection Safety
- Isolation Practices
- Environmental Cleaning
- Sterilization & Disinfection
- Biomedical Waste Management
- Linen Management
- Sharps Safety
- Spill Management
- CSSD Practices
- OT Infection Control Practices
- ICU Infection Control
- Housekeeping Infection Control Practices
4. Education & Training
- Conduct induction training for new employees.
- Organize periodic infection control training for all staff.
- Conduct hand hygiene demonstrations.
- Educate staff on outbreak prevention.
- Conduct competency assessments.
- Maintain training records.
5. Antibiotic Stewardship
- Participate in the Antibiotic Stewardship Program.
- Monitor antibiotic usage.
- Coordinate with Microbiology and treating consultants.
- Assist in antibiotic audits.
6. Outbreak Management
- Participate in outbreak investigations.
- Coordinate containment measures.
- Perform contact tracing where required.
- Prepare outbreak investigation reports.
- Monitor implementation of corrective actions.
7. Isolation Precautions
- Monitor isolation rooms.
- Ensure availability of PPE.
- Verify appropriate isolation signage.
- Monitor transmission-based precautions.
- Educate staff regarding isolation protocols.
8. Biomedical Waste Management
- Monitor BMW segregation practices.
- Conduct BMW audits.
- Ensure compliance with Biomedical Waste Management Rules.
- Coordinate with housekeeping and nursing teams.
9. Sterilization & Disinfection
- Monitor CSSD processes.
- Validate sterilization practices.
- Monitor disinfectant preparation and usage.
- Audit high-level disinfection procedures.
10. Occupational Health & Safety
- Monitor needle stick injury reporting.
- Coordinate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
- Monitor staff immunization records.
- Promote employee safety practices.
11. Documentation
Maintain records of:
- Infection surveillance
- HAI reports
- Audit reports
- Training records
- Committee meeting minutes
- Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
- Quality indicators
- Monthly dashboards
12. Quality & NABH Compliance
- Support NABH assessments and internal audits.
- Ensure compliance with quality indicators.
- Participate in departmental quality improvement projects.
- Prepare documents required during NABH inspections.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Hand hygiene compliance ≥90%
- Reduction in HAI rates
- Infection surveillance completed on time
- Audit compliance
- Staff training completion
- Biomedical waste compliance
- PPE compliance
- Timely outbreak reporting
- CAPA closure within defined timelines
- NABH compliance score
Required Skills
- Strong knowledge of Infection Prevention & Control practices.
- NABH standards and quality management knowledge.
- Surveillance and infection data analysis.
- Audit and documentation skills.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Training and mentoring ability.
- Computer proficiency (MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Report writing and analytical skills.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in a 100–500 bed NABH accredited hospital.
- Experience in ICU, OT, CSSD, and Quality departments.
- Knowledge of HAI surveillance software is desirable.
Personal Attributes
- Leadership and team-building skills.
- High ethical standards and professional integrity.
- Attention to detail.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Problem-solving and decision-making ability.
- Ability to work independently and under pressure.
Salary
As per qualification, experience, and hospital norms.
Pay: ₹25,000.00 - ₹35,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
