Infection Preventionist

Coffee Regional Medical Center

Infection Preventionist

POSITION SUMMARY

Promotes and applies infection control measures to prevent and/or control infections among patients and employees. Facilitates compliance with requirements of Joint Commission on Accrediation of Hospital Organization, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Public Health.

OVERVIEW

The evaluation is to assure individual performance, departmental goals and organizational goals are aligned. It is designed to support communication between the manager and the employee. Employee perception of their own performance is very important. To maximize the benefit of this process, both the manager and the employee participate in the evaluation process.

QUALIFICATIONS

A. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Excellent customer service skills.

Reads and understands the English language.

Ability to think critically and analytically with little or no supervision

Ability to work effectively in situations of high stress and conflict and communicate goals and outcomes.

Ability to process information and prioritize

Possesses exceptional verbal and written communication skills

Possesses independent work habits, is self-reliant and self-directed

Ability to learn, adapt, and change as required by the job functions

Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of material and information accessed and reviewed

Basic computer literacy

Ability to move freely, reach, bend, and complete light lifting

Ability to use good body mechanics while performing daily job functions and ability to follow specific OSHA guidelines

Ability to maintain attendance to meet standard job practices

B. Education

RN - Associate degree, BSN preferred

C. Licensure

Licensed in good standing with the Georgia Board of Nursing.

Certification from Board of Infection preferred.

D. Experience

1-2 years' experience in acute care nursing or infection prevention

E. Interpersonal skills

F. Essential technical/motor skills

G. Essential physical requirements

Sedentary: Exert up to 10 lb. of force occasionally and/or a minute amount frequently - 50%-75%

Light: Exert up to 20 lb. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lb. of force frequently - 25%-50%

H. Essential mental requirements

I. Essential sensory requirements

J. Other

Demonstrated teaching skills, leadership skills, and skills in critical thinking and reading are essential.

K. Equipment used

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

A. Exposure to hazards (body fluid exposure level)

Level I

B. Age of Patient Populations Served

Neonates 1 - 30 days

Infants 30 days - 1 year

Children 1 - 12 years

Adolescents 13 - 18 years

Adults 19 - 70 years

Geriatrics - 70 years

JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Below are those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the position's purpose and objectives. These are critical or fundamental to the performance of the position. They are the major functions for which the person in the position is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the position, along with the corresponding performance standards.

Infection Prevention specific job duties:

o Reviews patient admission for incoming information.

o Follows placement of infected patients for prevention and /or control of infection.

o Follows all positive microbiology and serology reports for possible infection in patients and employees in accordance with the recommendation of the infection control committee.

o Qualitatively reviews patient records for health-care acquired infection.

o Assists with the preparation of monthly report to infection control committee regarding health-care acquired infections; disseminates data to medical and nursing staff.

o Institutes appropriate control measures or studies when the situation indicates a danger to any patient or personnel in accordance with the infection control committee.

o Develops retrospective and prospective studies to determine areas where the infection rate could be lowered, in collaboration with the infection control manager.

o Reports all general and communicable diseases to the appropriate local and state Board of Health.

o Conducts in-service programs relating to infection prevention and control for nursing and ancillary departments during orientation as requested by Director of Education or manager.

o Provides resource data to all staff members regarding infection control issues.

o Assists in monitoring selected studies including the appropriate use of antibiotics based on criteria established by the Infection Control Committee.

o Assists in establishing infection control policies and procedures.

o Enters information into the SENDS system.

Actively participates in service, departmental, and hospital-wide committees as assigned, and providing on-going communication to those one represents.

Attends all required safety training programs.

Follows the hospital exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens.

Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment.

Assumes all other duties and responsibilities as necessary.