Infection Preventionist

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in health-related field, required. Masters degree preferred.
• Licenses/Certifications: Must have working-level knowledge of English language, including reading, writing and speaking English. Ability to obtain and maintain a State of Nevada Licensure or certification in related field; Registered Nurse, ASCP Registered Medical Technologist, Medical Examiners Respiratory Care Practitioner License, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) will be required if employee does not hold their Master's in Public health within one year of hire. The ability to obtain and maintain Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) within two years of employment.

Nature and Scope

• Assures that Renown Health defines and implements processes and best practices to reduce/eliminate hospital-acquired infections, comply with regulatory expectations, and provide a method of surveillance and reporting of infection rates and information.
• Coordinates and assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of Infection Control policies and procedures that meet the changing needs of the healthcare environment.
• Functions as a resource to hospital and medical staff regarding interpretation of Infection Control and Occupational Health policies as they relate to infectious disease.
• Directs the collection of surveillance data, analyzes the data, and provides statistical reports for hospital departments, medical staff, and Infection Control committee.
• Conducts epidemiological studies as needed to investigate unusual occurrences of infection.
• Makes collaborations with Washoe County and other public health officials in the reporting of communicable diseases and follows up with exposures.
• Maintains compliance with Infection Control policies and regulatory requirements and feeds back results of the monitoring to department managers for corrective action.
• Responsible for patient care orientation and annual updates to Infection Control principles.
• Regularly collaborates with Quality Consultants, Emergency Management, Occupational Health Services, and Risk Management on issues related to infection control.
• Has the authority to enforce Infection Control policies when hazards exist such as isolation of patients and ordering appropriate cultures as needed.
• Keeps informed of current concepts in Infection Control practice as well as new and innovative programs through reading and participating in professional organizations.

Disclaimer

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job. No assurances are made regarding future positions or responsibilities.