Infection Preventionist

About the role

The role involves assisting with plans and coordination of activities of Infection Prevention and Control under the guidelines established by the Infection Prevention and Control Committee. Responsibilities include studying, coordinating, and evaluating all infection prevention and control practices within all hospital departments and hospital clinics. Providing continuing education to all hospital personnel on current trends and changes to improve infection prevention and control standards.

Responsibilities

• Maintains healthcare associated infections
• Assesses infection prevention and control problems and makes recommendations for corrective action
• Participates in the Infection Prevention and Control Committee, if applicable
• Oversees monitoring of infection prevention and control practices and personnel compliance for all departments
• Provides assistance to department managers in developing infection prevention and control departmental policies
• Reports communicable diseases to the local health departments and state as required by law
• Provides educational presentations for orientation and ongoing in-services related to current recommendations and mandates
• Serves as a resource for all departments and personnel
• Participates in short and long-range planning for the infection prevention and control department
• Provides consultation to the Associate Health Nurse Practitioner related to exposure determination, personnel infections, follow-up and current healthcare personnel vaccination recommendations
• Participates in performance improvement activities and committees
• Conducts outbreak investigations and initiates control measures
• May assist with development, implementation, and monitoring of the TB management program
• Reviews and assists with environmental sampling as necessary
• Participates and provides oral and written infection prevention recommendations for all construction, renovation, remediation, repair, or demolition as part of a multidisciplinary team during preplanning, demolition, construction and commissioning
• Collects, prepares, and analyzes healthcare-associated infection data; presents data to leadership and stakeholders
• Provides internal and external reporting of information and data as required by law, accreditation requirements and regulatory mandates
• Aids in the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans for an influx of infectious diseases

Requirements

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in nursing, public health, epidemiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or related field. Current Registered Nurse license issued by the state in which services will be provided or current multi-state Registered Nurse license through the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. or obtain within three (3) years of hire date. State criminal background check and Federal (if applicable), as required for regulated areas. Experience includes five (5) years’ experience as a Registered Nurse in an acute care setting and five (5) years’ experience in a public health setting.

Qualifications

Prior experience in infection prevention is preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Able to handle confidential information
• Able to work successfully under highly stressful conditions and must be capable of adapting to varying workloads and work assignments on a constant basis
• Able to read and write legibly in English and possess comprehension skills
• Able to comprehend and perform oral and written instructions and procedures
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work weekends, holidays, and all shifts
• Able to prioritize tasks and make independent decisions
• Skilled in advanced math
• Able to respond to emergency situations in a calm, professional manner
• 10 Able to use computers to input and retrieve information
• Able to perform concentrated and complex mental activity with frequent involvement in complex and highly technical situations
• Able to make sound, independent judgments based on scientific principles, or sound business judgment and also be able to collaborate with other multi-disciplinary team members in an appropriate fashion
• Able to analyze statistics and utilize stats for recommendation of changes