JOB SUMMARY:

The Infection Preventionist is trained in outpatient epidemiology principles and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, interpretation and reporting of community acquired infections and surgical/procedural site infections; educating employees about infection prevention; and the development of health system policies and procedures to insure rigorous infection control standards that meet JCAHO, OSHA, Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other nationally organized agencies recommendations and requirements.

The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Manager of Quality and in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer/Director of Infectious Diseases

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Analytical and Critical Thinking

• Apply epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target population, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies.
• Conduct on-going surveillance using Center of Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria, documentation, and investigation of infections through review of microbiology culture results, patient records, consultation requests and post-op visits.
• Participate in investigations of unusual infection outbreaks in conjunction with county/state public health departments, and when necessary, in consultation with the Center for Disease Control. Report epidemiologically significant findings to appropriate customers.
• Interprets data to determine when patients/employees are at risk for infection and takes appropriate measures including notifying physician and/or Director of Operations
• Implements and coordinates the execution of the infection control plan.

Communication

• Report all patients with communicable disease to the county and/or state health department and maintain appropriate records. Compile and interpret surveillance reports to appropriate Senior Leadership on a regular basis.
• Collaborates with local and state health departments in the prevention, control, and appropriate reporting of communicable diseases.
• Collaborate with the Manager of Quality to plan, organize, develop, and implement educational programs for all employees including administrative and ancillary services which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase employee awareness of existence of nosocomial infections; techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for employees and patients.
• Demonstrates knowledge of specific conditions, diseases, and treatment therapies for the specific patient/health care worker population in the organization
• Serve as a knowledgeable and available resource on infection control practices and policies to patients, families, and employees in the ambulatory care setting.
• Develop appropriate informational materials at appropriate level of understanding and need.

Planning and Organizing

• Assist in the organization of regularly scheduled Infection Control trainings and dissemination of recommendation.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

• Assess environmental control through surveillance of hand hygiene, water supply systems as needed, air pressure relationships for high risk environmental monitoring.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the surveillance plan and modifies as necessary.
• Collect data in support of epidemiological studies of specific problems or problem areas to determine the source of the problem and make appropriate recommendations.
• Participate in quality/performance improvement activities by assessing, monitoring, and measuring nosocomial infections and evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis.
• Assess/review and implement the infection control training program for staff and patients and keep practices current.

Checking, Examining, and Recording

• Conduct environmental rounds in all patient care areas.
• Manages on-boarding of all new hires from an employee health perspective, assessing risk or need for preventive intervention (immunization, titer).

Compliance, Policy, and Procedure

• Responsible for organizational compliance with disinfection/sterilization practices and standards
• Using professional guidelines (CDC, APIC) makes recommendations to comply with regulatory and accrediting agencies including federal, state, and local health agencies along with the Joint Commission, CDC, OSHA, FDA and HCFA.

Willingness to Learn

• Participate in continuing educational activities at the department, state, and national levels to promote personal growth and maintain a current knowledge base commensurate with latest research and scholarly knowledge.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must have very strong interpersonal skills.
• Highly effective in establishing relationships with key constituents, both within and outside the institution, professionally representing the institution
• Excellent discretion, judgment, tact, initiative, organizational skills, and self-motivation.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Ability to anticipate and assess situations accurately and recommend/implement effective courses of action required.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Required: Graduate from an Accredited School of Nursing; BSN preferred
• Required: 5 years of applied clinical experience as an RN in a health related field
• Employee will complete Infection Preventionist Certification within three years of hire.
• Minimum 3 years experience in Infection Control/Prevention Nursing or comparable equivalent.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislation and policy requirements that govern nursing practice.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is typically performed in an office environment.
• Ability to travel to other sites when appropriate.

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements considered necessary to successfully perform the job.