Infection Preventionist

Position Summary:

The Infection Preventionist serves as a critical member of the Health System Team and promotes the physical and psychosocial well-being to our patients, visitors, and the LRHS employees. This role encompasses a range of responsibilities, including being a subject matter expert, consultant, educator, and facilitator for all staff. The Infection Preventionist will develop and implement an effective infection prevention and control program, including the surveillance for healthcare-associated infections, monitoring of specific environmental issues, and compliance with accreditation and regulatory agencies. The Infection Preventionist reports directly to the Manager of Patient Experience and Quality Manager and also works closely with Quality Management team to foster a Culture of One.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops, implements and evaluates continuing education programs and curriculums for facility-wide Infection Prevention Control Programs.

• Implements and interprets Infection Prevention and Control practices and procedures as well as laws, regulations, and guidelines governing all clinical functions such as OSHA, DHSS, CMS, and CDC.
• Collaborates with administration, patient care services, leadership, shared leadership councils, staff and key departments to develop education plans and implementation of regulatory requirements
• Analyzes and presents infection data and makes recommendations for actions to key stakeholders.
• Performs surveillance, analysis, and reporting of healthcare-associated infections and quality metrics including CMS mortality measures, Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC), Patient Safety Indicators (PSI), and Potentially Preventable Complications (PPC).

• Participates on committees as a subject matter expert on environment of care, emergency preparedness, etc.
• Coordinates quality/performance improvement and patient safety activities related to infection prevention and control
• Integrates surveillance activities across health care settings (e.g., ambulatory, home health, long term care, acute care).
• Develops and adheres to departmental staffing, revenue and/or expense budgets
• Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
• Displays integrity and professionalism by adhering to LRHS Culture of One
Works on special projects as assigned.

Required Education/Certification:

• Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or other clinical field.
• This position requires completion of an Infection Prevention Certification (CIC) within two years of employment.
• BLS/CPR required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (Experience)

• 1-3 Years of experience in a hospital clinical setting or in infection prevention control role.
• Project management or people management experience or progressive responsibility in a customer service or healthcare setting
• Experience in developing healthcare educational material.
• Knowledge of CQI systems and healthcare operations
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and active listening.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Time management and coordination
• Advanced computer skills with experience in MS office.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Maintains confidentiality of all proprietary and/or confidential information
• Can prioritize, delegate, and organize their schedules and task.

Preferred Education/Certifications:

• Associate or Bachelors Degree in Nursing and a valid license.
• 3 years of clinical/hospital experience or medical group administration experience.
• Master’s degree in a clinical or behavioral health-related field
• Current Infection Prevention Certification (CIC)
• Specialized IPC training beyond initial professional training or education prior to assuming the role

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

Travel Expectation: 15% or less

• Travel may be expected to assigned clinics, provider offices, healthcare facilities, and other locations as needed.
• Maintain reliable transportation and the ability to travel throughout assigned service areas.

Working Environment: Position is located in an office setting.

Work Location: This position is located at LRHS main campus.

Physical Demands: Prolonged standing and sitting in a stationary position, typing, visual acuity, ability to carry objects up to 25lbs for events and/or transporting marketing items, effective communication with internal and external customers, and occasional lifting, bending, and stooping. This position may have exposure to hazardous material/waste such as blood and other body fluids.