Phoenix, AZ - Other - AZDHS - Division of Public Health Preparedness - Infection Preventionist

Overview

Seeking candidates for a full-time Infection Preventionist to support the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). The position will report to the Chief of the Office of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) and will serve as subject matter expert for infection prevention and control for the Office of HAI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in an applied clinical science (nursing, public health, microbiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology or related field) required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Certified in Infection Control (CIC®) by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) required.
• Experience as an infection preventionist (IP) in acute care infection prevention required.

Preferred Skills

• Broad knowledge of infection prevention in congregate care settings with previous experience in hospital-based IPC programs to reduce HAIs in targeted settings (dialysis, long-term care, outpatient, long-term acute care hospitals and acute care).
• Ability to plan, implement and evaluate infection control practices, policies and procedures.
• Ability to perform on-site assessments in healthcare and congregate facilities.
• Strong technical skills including word processing, spreadsheet development and management, and database management, with an emphasis on proficiency in Google Suite.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience reviewing and editing documents and interviewing.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks efficiently.
• Ability to work independently and use strong judgment based on existing knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provides IPC support to programs and tracks activities to ensure alignment with grant objectives and milestones.
• Creates/updates standard operating procedures and protocols for activities related to infection prevention and control.
• Participates in strategic planning; develops and implements ideas to promote infection prevention and control efforts throughout the state.
• Conducts on-site (travel involved) and teleconference infection prevention and control program assessments in healthcare and congregate care settings; including long-term care facilities, assisted living, memory care and other facilities as directed.
• Completes summary reports of facility assessments with facility recommendations and disseminates within 2 weeks of assessment. A mitigation tool should be provided with the findings report when necessary.
• Follows up with facilities after assessments to ensure recommendations are implemented.
• Provides education to licensing surveyors on infection prevention and control and how to best identify needs at facilities.
• Conducts infection prevention trainings on a variety of infection prevention topics including personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, infection control precautions and surveillance methods in a variety of educational formats (e.g. oral presentations, recorded videos, webinars, quick guides, templates).
• Provides consultation, in conjunction with the local/tribal health department, for outbreak investigations, especially those associated with healthcare facilities.
• Interviews healthcare facilities about risk factors associated with outbreak or exposure situations to ensure community practices are safe and meet guidelines.
• Provides infection prevention subject matter expertise in drafting, reviewing, and editing technical reports, infection control guidelines, and quality educational materials on a diverse spectrum of infection prevention topics, from risk assessment to transmission-based precautions.
• Provides consultation to local health jurisdictions and provides them with resources and trainings to build capacity for quality site assessments and how to build infection prevention and control expertise.
• Educates and trains internal staff about appropriate precautions to prevent and control diseases.
• Evaluates research and evidence-based practices and incorporates appropriate findings into routine practice.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for general infection prevention and control practices.
• Willingness to travel within Arizona, as needed.