Infection Preventionist

Overview

The purpose of Infection Preventionist is to promote patient and staff safety through the identification ofsources/risks for infection and developing strategies in the prevention of infections. The Infection Preventionist isresponsible for assisting in the development of the Infection Prevention Program Plan and implementation of thePlan at the facility level. The Infection Preventionist implements the Infection Prevention Program Plan bycollection, analysis and provision of actionable data regarding healthcare-associated infections to physicians,staff members, department directors/managers and senior management and the Infection Control Committee.The Infection Preventionist uses epidemiologic data to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate infection controlpractices throughout the hospital and to educate staff members, patients and their families on measures forprevention of infection. The Infection Preventionist acts as a resource/consultant within the hospital in regard toall matters that relate to the prevention and control of infections including: outbreak investigation; isolationprecautions; implementation of evidence-based measures for prevention of infection; review of patient careproducts proposed for purchase; review of construction and renovation projects with regard to infectionprevention; development of infection prevention policies and procedures. The Infection Preventionist ensuresthat the hospital is in compliance with the recommendations and regulations of governmental agencies andregulatory authorities with regard to infection prevention.

Responsibilities

Provide direction and oversight for the activities of the local facility staff.

 

Lead and facilitate setting of facility level goals and objectives.

 

Develop and implement a facility wide Infection Prevention Program.

 

Coordinate and implement surveillance methods to monitor nosocomial infection rates in conjunction with the

Infection Prevention Committee.

 

Collaborate with Employee Health to provide preventive health and wellness related services to employees.

 

Facilitate the establishment and bi-annual review of departmental written Infection Prevention policies andprocedures and annual review of the Infection Prevention Manual.

 

Coordinate Infection Prevention education in collaboration with Nursing Education, Department Directors, and

 

Human Resources and act as a consultant to all clinical areas for Infection Prevention issues.

 

Report to Regional and/or System Director of Infection Prevention

 

Enhance personal and professional growth and development through participation in professional meetings,educational programs, in-services, workshops, review of current literature, and membership in the Association

for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

 

Serve as administrative chair of the Infection Control Committee and facilitate related sub-committees. Assurerepresentation on other hospital committees including but not limited to Patient Safety, Environment of Care,

 

Product Evaluation, BSI, VAP, Nurse Liaison, ICN, CT Surgery, and Critical Care.

 

Interpret and implement the Infection Control standards of care recommended by governmental and accreditingagencies including assisting the Kentucky Department of Health in communicable disease surveillance.

 

Use effective interpersonal skills in all interactions and perform duties and exhibit behaviors consistent with carephilosophy of ARH.

 

Provide oversight and ensure collection and reporting of hospital acquired infection data as required by law andother regulations.

 

Maintain and validate all data for accuracy and database reliability.

 

Meet all internal and external reporting requirement timeframes.

 

Facilitate collaborative teams, develop and implement action plans to improve and sustain a decrease in hospitalacquired infections.

 

As needed travel to other ARH facilities to cover for IP staff absence or as surge staff to address identified issuessuch as outbreaks or other rapid needs for IP manpower.

Qualifications

Education (experience can be substituted for education)Associate's Degree in a related field with experience working in Infection Prevention. RequiredBachelor's Degree Bachelor’s Degree and current license required in the field of NursingorBachelor’s Degree and current ASCP certification required in the field of ClinicalLaboratory Science Preferred

 

Work Experience (education can be substituted for experience)4-6 years Preferred

 

Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesMastery of problem solving and decision making skills.Mastery of collaboration and teamwork.Mastery of growth mindset (agility and developing yourself and others) skills.Mastery of execution and delivery (planning, delivering, and supporting) skills.Ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose themost appropriate one.Ability to function in clinical setting with diverse cultural dynamics of clinical staffand patients.Mastery knowledge of phases of care transitions and resources available forpatients.Mastery of digital literacy skills.

 

Licenses and CertificationsCIC(CBIC) Certification in Infection Preventionpreferred