Infection Preventionist

Day (United States of America)

Infection Preventionist

This position acts as a resource and consultant to all clinical, support and management services and medical staff regarding organizational infection prevention and control. Conducts ongoing infection surveillance, applies epidemiologic principals and statistical methods, including risk stratification, identifies target populations, analyzes trends and risk factors and designs, and evaluates the effectiveness of the infection prevention program and approaches. Coordinates comprehensive system-wide infection prevention and control program and activities. Provides education and training and acts as a resource on infection prevention and control issues and policies, and on health care epidemiology. Collaborates in the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs or tools.

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing, epidemiology, microbiology, public health or related field required
- Licensure/Certification: Master’s in public health or Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred (If not currently certified, must obtain within 3 years of hire)
- Experience: Minimum three years experience in acute care setting in the role of infection Preventionist to include:
- Surveillance and epidemiologic investigation
- Identification and recommendations for control of infectious diseases
- Knowledge and application of CDC/NHSN criteria
- Excellent analytical skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Creation of PowerPoint presentations
- Or minimum of 4 years of as an RN in intermediate care, perioperative care or critical care areas.
- Conducts basic to complex clinical surveillance utilizing laboratory, diagnostic and other clinical patient level information
- Conducts outbreak response surveillance, and special studies and investigations to promote safety by identifying and reducing the risks of acquiring and transmitting infections amongst others
- Collaborates with other staff members and/or physicians to develop, test, and implement effective data collection processes to provide information on clinically significant measures.
- Collects, organizes, analyzes, interprets, and reports data including trends and occurrences of infections to be included in performance measures and distributes findings
- Responsible for data submission and ensuring accuracy infection related data reported to National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
- Applies epidemiological principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target populations, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies
- Coordinates operations of infection prevention and control activities
- Reviews, analyzes, and applies existing regulations, standards and/or guidelines in order to ensure compliance
- Reviews/revises and develops needed policies and procedures to prevent the spread of infection
- Provides education and training and acts as a resource on infection prevention and control issues and policies, and on health care epidemiology, including educational presentations at new hire orientation sessions
- Collaborates in the development and annual evaluation of educational programs or tools
- Performs infection prevention and control rounds and post-intervention follow-up to measure effects on the targeted infection rates and outbreaks
- Coordinates the reporting of communicable diseases and any unusual outbreaks of infections to the appropriate local, state and federal public health agencies, as applicable
- Assists the Product Review Committee with evaluation and/or product review in relation to infection prevention and control standards and/or guidelines
- Identifies performance improvement opportunities within the department and facilitates change
- Acts as a consultant in assisting the facilities in achieving their goals of providing high quality, cost-effective patient care and services while demonstrating compliance with regulatory agency standards
- Provides consultation to Employee Health regarding infection risks associated with the hospital setting. Recommends methods of detection and prevention of infections in specific employee illness and exposure situations
- Maintains current knowledge of CDC, NHSN, CMS, Joint Commission regulations and other industry standards surrounding infection prevention
- Actively participates in development of infection prevention policies and procedures that ensure compliance with CDC, CMS, Joint Commission, OSHA and other county, state, and federal regulatory agencies
- Assists the Manager in ensuring infection prevention program goals are compatible with and enhance the organization’s mission and vision
- Participates in annual infection prevention plan evaluation/revision and planning for coming year
- Assists in completing annual risk assessments to help drive the infection prevention program and priorities
- Organizes and co-leads the activities of the Interdisciplinary Infection Prevention Committee and IP section of Quality Council meetings by participating in agenda development and providing oversight for assembling meeting documents and following up on meeting actions
- Assists in preparing reports and statistical data for the above noted committees, medical staff committees, facility administration and other committees as needed
- Ensures construction projects meet infection prevention standards through performance of ICRAs when required
- Conducts surveillance rounds focused on review of infection prevention practices, opportunities for improvement and needed action plans for assigned clinical areas
- Participates in environment of care (EOC) tracers/rounds and may serve as the IP representative on the EOC Committee
- Serves as “owner” and/or “team leader” on performance improvement teams focused on reducing healthcare associated infections
- Other duties as assigned