Infection Preventionist Outpatient Ambulatory

Responsibilities

• Provides direction for comprehensive infection prevention and control surveillance activities including routine patient-focused and microbiological surveillance, outbreak investigation, environment and construction surveillance, and communicable disease reporting.
• Interprets surveillance data and presents the information to the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and hospital/medical staff departments.
• Possesses a comprehensive knowledge of NHSN and submits data to the CDC/NHSN database according to CMS requirements.
• Leads and participates in network wide and local infection prevention improvement programs with special focus on CLABSI, CAUTI, C.difficile and MRSA, along with Surgical Site infection reductions strategies.
• Guides the implementation of best practices using recommendations from APIC, CDC, SHEA and other infection prevention agencies as appropriate.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive infection prevention and control plan for the organization based on most current scientific knowledge and evidence-based practice.
• Develops and maintains infection control-related policies and procedures to prevent and control infections and meet applicable laws and regulatory standards.
• Serves as a resource to the organization for development and revision of policies and procedures with infection prevention and control implications including construction, environment of care, bioterrorism and occupational health.
• Plans and participates in providing infection-control related education programs for patients, clinical and non-clinical staff, physicians, volunteers, students and the community.
• Tailors programs to general, position-specific and individual learning needs and makes recommendations for staff development.
• Serves as a consultant to the organization in providing recommendations on appropriate patient care supplies, sterilization, disinfection and cleaning supplies, and safe needle products utilizing the latest evidence-based knowledge and the principles of epidemiology.
• Serves as a resource to the organization on infection prevention and control-related aspects of construction, environment of care, disasters and bioterrorism/epidemic detection and response.
• Acts as Liaison with county public health, state licensing and Quality Improvement Organizations as relates to infection prevention issues.
• Serves as a consultant to the organization in providing recommendations on appropriate patient care supplies, sterilization, disinfection and cleaning supplies, and safe needle products utilizing the latest evidence-based knowledge and the principles of epidemiology.
• Responds and participates in an organization-wide approach to emerging infectious disease situations, such as Ebola and Pandemic Influenza.
• Develops policies and procedures to meet compliance with state certification for infectious diseases as appropriate.
• Maintains compliance with national standards and regulatory bodies such as CDC, OSHA, and the FDA.
• Provides post-exposure investigation for internal and external healthcare workers in consultation with Occupational Health and outside agencies.

Requirements

• Bachelors in Medical Lab-Technology or health related field Required
• Bachelors in Nursing Preferred
• Experience: 1 year in Infection Control in acute care setting Preferred
• Experience: 5 years experience in Infection Prevention and Control in acute care setting Preferred
• Experience: 5 years experience in Infection Prevention in Outpatient treatment. Preferred
• a-IPC Certification 180 Days Required
• Certified Infection Control (CIC) - Certification Preferred
• Registered Nurse (RN) - License State And/Or Compact State Licensure Preferred