Infection Prevention and Control Specialist

HIGHLAND CLARKSBURG HOSPITAL

JOB DESCRIPTION

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL SPECIALIST

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for assisting facility leadership in implementing an effective infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections.  This position reports directly to the Director of Patient Care Services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Collaborate with facility leadership and medical staff to develop, implement, and evaluate the annual infection prevention plan.
2. Participates in WV state epidemiology review.
3. Reviews and implements best practices from Infection Control Assessment and Response tool (ICAR).
4.  
5.  Chairs the infection control committee.
6. Leads the Infection Control Committee with establishing a facility-wide system for the prevention, identification, investigation, and control of infections to patients, staff, and visitors, including surveillance designed to identify possible communicable diseases or infections before they spread.
7. Reviews and updates the Infection Control Committee on Infection Control practices, policies, and procedures, as necessary.
8. Monitors and reports outbreaks of infectious diseases to the appropriate agencies, as well as conducts outbreak investigations.
9. Assist with developing and implementing written policies and procedures for infection control, including those for standard precautions and for transmission-based precautions, including when to use, duration of use, and type of precautions needed for a particular infection or organism.
10. Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and ensure that the facility leaders are informed of appropriate issues; understand and comply with infection control, safety, and OSHA procedures and regulations.
11. Be accountable for surveillance of health-care acquired and community-acquired infections for patients, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
12. Reviews patient care units for compliance with infection control standards.
13. Initiates Infection Control rounds to ensure meeting standards.
14. Addresses findings from Environment of Care and Infection Control rounds to ensure compliance with Joint Commission standards.
15. Develop and present infection prevention and control related in-service education for general orientation and annual review which may include hand hygiene; cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization; use of isolation/barrier precautions; environmental hazards, hospital immunization programs; and antibiotic steawardship.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered. 
2. Completion of a minimum two (2) CEU’s of infection control training on an annual basis.
3. Two (2) years of infection control experience in a hospital or behavioral health setting  preferred.
4. Primary professional training in healthcare-related field required, specialized training or experience in infection prevention and control preferred.
5. Must complete APIC Certification within 2 years of hire

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Conduct analysis and formulate conclusions
• Identify occurrences, reservoirs, incubation periods, periods of communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and susceptibility associated with the infectious disease process
• Interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests
• Foster effective working relationships and build consensus
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Plan, organize, prioritize, work independently, and meet deadlines
• Use judgment and make sound decisions
• Work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Speak, read, write, and understand English effectively at a level appropriate for the safe and effective performance of the job

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, and smell. The employee must occasionally lift or assist a patient and be able to move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent functions in a normal building environment or community settings, requiring the ability to adapt to periodic changes in environment conditions, i.e., temperatures, air quality and noise.