Job Objective:

The Infection Preventionist provides assistance to the Infection Prevention Manager for the surveillance and prevention of infectious disease in the hospitalized patients, employees, volunteers, visitors, and licensed independent practitioners. The Infection Preventionist is under the direct Supervisor of the Infection Prevention Manager. The Infection Preventionist provides coverage and has authority to implement Infection Prevention or Public Health control measures in the absence of the Manager or Director.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• With the Infection Prevention Manager participates in the design and development of the Infection Prevention.
• Contributes to the development and continuous improvement of Infection Prevention systems that support the planning process.
• Provides evidence-based information/literature to meet the informational and educational needs of the healthcare district staff, physicians, and community for infection control practices.
• Assists the Infection Prevention Manager in providing for the Infection Prevention Education of Staff.
• Surveillance:
  • Collection of healthcare associated infection data through appropriate informational systems of the Hospital.
  • Assists with incorporating successful performance improvement strategies to contribute to the prevention of healthcare associated infections.
  • Works as liaison with public health officials and community agencies and oversees compliance with regulatory standards related to Infection Prevention.
  • Works collaboratively with the laboratory regarding microbiology and serology regarding issues related to infection prevention.
  • Conducts Infection Prevention rounds for Isolation Utilization and Environment of Care Standards Compliance.
  • Reports to the Infection Prevention Manager when new Infection Prevention issues are identified.
• Prevention of infections:
  • Monitors effects of intervention strategies on the infection rates.
  • Provides input into sterilization, sanitizing, disinfection and cleaning procedures and their agents.
  • Provides input into the linen and waste management programs.
  • Acts as consultant to the Environment of Care and Employee Health Programs.
  • Conducts Infection Control Risk Assessments for Construction projects.
  • Provides consultation to Construction design or project monitoring as needed.
  • Provides input into New Product analysis and acquisition.
  • Provides timely reports on the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention Program to the Infection Prevention Manager.

• Serves as a member of the Infection Control Performance Subcommittee assisting the Infection Prevention Manager with preparation of reports and providing agenda information to Medical Staff Services.
• Supports the Infection Prevention Manager with review of hospital wide departmental infection prevention policies and procedures as needed, but no less than every 3 years.
• Assists the Infection Prevention Manager with compliance of Department of Health Service and Joint Commission standards, as well as implementation of CDC Guidelines for preventing infection.
• Provides coverage in the absence of the Infection Prevention Manager.
• Has authority to implement any necessary control measures in the event of an outbreak.
• Confers with Chairman of the Infection Control Committee when appropriate.
• Conducts Outbreak investigation and other surveillance studies when appropriate in collaboration with the Infection Prevention Manager.
• Conforms to Affirmative Action guidelines.
• Assists the Infection Prevention Manager in conducting and completing infection prevention performance improvement strategies including but not limited to Focus Review, Gap Analysis for new Guidelines or Standards, Performance Improvement Teams, and/or Root Cause Analysis.
• Works collaboratively with Occupational Health for post-exposure follow-up and compliance with both Tuberculosis/Airborne Transmissible Diseases and Blood borne Pathogens Exposure Control Plans.

Non-Essential Duties:

• Clerical work such as office filing, typing of reports and answering telephones.
• Community education.
• Other miscellaneous duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Antelope Valley Health District Infection Prevention Program and meeting regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of current state, county and federal regulations regarding infection prevention practices.
• Knowledge of hospital microbiology for interpretation of cultures and their relationship to infection acquired through infection control experience or epidemiology classes.

Skills

• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite and MS Outlook.
• Strong interpersonal skills including verbal communication for staff education, patient interaction as needed, and medical staff.
• Skilled in being a change agent and motivating staff.
• Strong analytical skills to complete risk assessments, data trending, and development of performance improvement strategies.

Abilities

• Ability to prepare Spreadsheets, Graphs, Charts and PowerPoint presentations.
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times.

AVH Values: All AVH employees will effectively demonstrate these values:

• Patients Come First – We listen actively and communicate with our patients and families, placing safety as a top priority.
• Accountability & Ownership – We fully complete tasks, are transparent, effectively communicate, and recognize that what we do reflects on us.
• Teamwork – We build trusting relationships, promote a sense of community, and are respectful of everyone. Success is about the whole team.
• Integrity & Honesty – We tell the truth at all times, speak up when something is wrong, and do the right thing when no one is looking.
• Excellence – We take pride in our work, are goal-oriented, and on a never-ending quest for top tier quality.
• Initiative & Innovation – Our can-do attitudes, creativity, and resourcefulness empower us to improve the patient’s experience, solve our own problems, make timely decisions, and look for opportunities to add value.
• Tenderness & Compassion – We have genuine empathy, show kindness, and encourage and advocate for each other.

Education and Experience:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, epidemiology, microbiology, or public health preferred or equivalent work experience.

Experience

• 3 – 5 years of recent Nursing experience preferred.
• Supervisory or Charge Nurse experience preferred.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Current Registered Nurse License to practice in the State of California preferred.
• Infection Control Certification preferred, or eligible to take exam and acquire certification within 1 year for those with Infection Prevention experience. 2 years for those without prior experience.
• Membership in APIC required within one year.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required.

AVH Conduct/Compliance Expectations:

• Ability to adhere with AVH Leaves of Absence Policy
• Ability to adhere with AVH Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
• Ability to adhere to the department dress code
• Ability to organize work and establish priorities
• Ability to expand on own initiative in performance of duties
• Skill and ability to follow the telephone etiquette/standards
• Ability to function effectively under pressure and meet time parameters
• Ability to communicate effectively while maintaining good working relationships with co-workers, managers and other hospital staff
• Ability to adhere to the normal standards of courtesy and conduct as defined under the rules of hospitality at AVH
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of patient, hospital and department information
• Ability to adhere to safety rules and regulations
• Safely and effectively uses all equipment necessary to carry out duties
• Ability to interpret and function under hospital and department policies and procedures
• Conforms with required and appropriate Joint Commission requirements
• Conforms with and supports hospital quality assurance and improvement guidelines
• Ability to participate effectively in department and hospital staff education
• Display a willingness to work as a team player
• Ability to give and support the highest level of patient/customer satisfaction at all times
• Supports and adheres to the values and mission statement established by the AVH Board of Directors
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Compliance & Integrity Program and its established policies
• Ability to follow the Code of Conduct

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work is performed both in an office and facility environment.
• Must be able to make rounds within hospital and conduct patient/family interviews as well as conduct education throughout hospital as needed.
• Must be able to use standard office equipment, sit, and perform bending and twisting.
• Potential exposure to biohazards-blood borne infectious waste and ability to use PPE.
• Ability to lift and carry 20lbs.
• Ability to administer vaccinations as needed.

A detailed description of the physical requirements of this job is maintained in the Employee Health Department.

NOTE: THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE PERSONNEL SO CLASSIFIED.

Education and Experience:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, epidemiology, microbiology, or public health preferred or equivalent work experience.

Required Licensure and/or Certifications:

• Membership in APIC required within one year.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required.