Infection Preventionist

The Infection Preventionist (IP) administers and coordinates the infection control program in the hospital. The designated person will be given the authority to implement and enforce the Surveillance, Prevention and Control Program policies, coordinate all infection prevention and control within the hospital and facilitate ongoing monitoring of the effectiveness of prevention and/or control activities and interventions at the direction and/or absence of the Manager.

RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Infection prevention and control practice - Incorporates into practice effective activities that are specific to the practice setting, the population served, and the continuum of care.
• Surveillance - Uses a systematic approach to monitor the effectiveness of prevention and control strategies that are consistent with the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Epidemiology - Applies epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification and benchmarking, to identify target populations, determine risk factors, design prevention and control strategies, analyze trends, and evaluate processes.
• Education - Serves as an educator and educational resource for healthcare providers, ancillary staff, patients, families, and the general public.
• Consultation - Provides expert knowledge and guidance in infection prevention, control, and epidemiology.
• Occupational health - Collaborates with occupational health and employee health in the development of strategies that address the risk of disease transmission to healthcare providers and ancillary staff.
• Program administration and evaluation - Systematically evaluates the effectiveness of the program appropriate to the practice setting.
• Fiscal responsibility - Practices in a fiscally responsible and accountable manner.
• Performance improvement - Functions as an integral part of performance improvement initiatives to promote positive patient and employee outcomes.
• Regulatory/Accreditation – Maintain IC regulations and requirements.

• Experienced healthcare professional with a health sciences background;
• A registered nurse (RN) or medical technologist (MT) with a minimum of three years of Infection Prevention
• A Baccalaureate degree required
• Has knowledge and experience in patient care practices, microbiology, aseptic technique, disinfection/sterilization, adult education, infectious diseases, communication, program administration, and epidemiology.
• Has achieved and maintains current certification with the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

PRACTICE STANDARDS / POSITION SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Infection prevention and control practice: Indicators
• Integrates surveillance findings into formal plans for improvement of practice and patient outcomes in various healthcare settings
• Reviews; analyzes; and implements regulations, standards, and/or guidelines of applicable governmental agencies and professional organizations
• Integrates relevant local, national, and global public health issues into practice
• Analyzes and applies pertinent information from current scientific literature and publications
• Develops and implements policies and procedures based on currently accepted infection prevention and control best practices
• Ensures that findings, recommendations, and policies of the program are disseminated to appropriate groups or individuals
• Provides knowledge on the function, role, and value of the program to customers
• Develops a surveillance plan based on the population(s) served, services provided, and previous surveillance data
• Selects indicators and designs surveillance based on the projected use of the data;
• Integrates pertinent regulatory requirements
• Uses standardized definitions for the identification and classification of events, indicators, or outcomes
• Utilizes information technology and systems applications
• Assesses the needs of customers and develops educational objectives and strategies to meet those needs

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to use fine motor skills (typing/data entry), and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and occasionally stoop, kneel, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Individual works primarily in an office environment but will visit clinical units or other areas of the facility as necessary.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Individualized orientation and required annual updates to include use of computer software, data to be reported, role expectations, etc.

PRIMARY INFORMATION, TOOLS AND SYSTEMS USED

Eligible candidate will have knowledge in the use of the following systems:

· PC-based Word and Excel spreadsheet programs

· Industry publications as they relate to Quality and other areas,as applicable, such as Safety, Risk Management, Case Management, etc.