Infection Control Coord

The Infection Control Practitioner oversees the hospital’s infection prevention and control program, ensuring compliance with CDC, Joint Commission, DNV, OSHA, and DOH standards. This role manages surveillance, reporting, and mitigation of healthcare-associated infections and communicable diseases. The ICP provides expert guidance across clinical and non-clinical departments, promotes safe practices, and ensures consistent implementation of system-wide protocols to maintain a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

Core Functions

• Develop, implement, and maintain the hospital’s infection prevention and control program in compliance with CDC, TJC, DNV, OSHA, CMS, DOH, and other regulatory standards.
• Perform surveillance and reporting of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) using data from rounds, lab results, and other sources; complete NHSN reports accurately and on time.
• Investigate infection trends, outbreaks, and clusters; recommend and implement corrective actions.
• Review cultures, sensitivities, and patient charts to identify HAIs and initiate appropriate isolation precautions.
• Monitor and evaluate asepsis, sterilization, disinfection, and environmental cleaning practices throughout the facility.
• Develop, review, and update infection control policies and procedures annually and as needed.
• Provide education and training on infection prevention for all staff, including orientation for new employees.
• Serve as a resource and consultant for clinical and non-clinical departments on infection control issues.
• Report communicable diseases to local and state health authorities in compliance with regulations.
• Prepare and present infection control data and reports to hospital committees and leadership.
• Participate in performance improvement activities and infection reduction strategies.
• Monitor construction projects for infection control risk and ensure compliance with preplanning and barrier protocols.
• Maintain accurate records of HAIs and employee exposure incidents; assist with Employee Health follow-up.
• Stay current with infection prevention standards and recommend updates to practices and policies.

Safety Practices

• Promotes a culture of patient safety that results in the identification and reduction of unsafe practices.
• Utilizes Culture of Safety survey responses in improvement efforts.
• Identifies risks and hazards to patients through various risk assessments, with actions taken to mitigate patient harm.
• Improves medication safety practices, including increased reporting of adverse drug events and improved compliance with the medication reconciliation process.
• Decreased, hospital-acquired infections and improved compliance with infection control practices (including hand hygiene).
• Decreased hospital acquired conditions such as complications associated with ventilator use and pressure ulcers, through improved compliance with patient safety bundles and/or other formal performance improvement programs.

Professional Responsibility

• Maintain professional appearance and adhere to dress code.
• Complete annual education and meet all regulatory requirements.
• Protect confidentiality of patient and employee information.
• Report to work as scheduled and wear identification while on duty.
• Attend annual performance review and required committee meetings.
• Conduct infection control in-service training for staff.
• Communicate effectively with all departments and maintain open lines of communication.
• Prioritize tasks and take appropriate action independently.
• Participate in performance improvement activities and infection reduction strategies.
• Remain receptive to new methods for reducing hospital-acquired infections.
• Demonstrate professional growth through continuing education and involvement in professional organizations.
• Represent the organization positively and uphold ethical business practices.
• Communicate and support the mission, ethics, and goals of the facility.
• Provide age-appropriate care for patients from pediatrics to geriatrics.

• Education
  • RN associate's degree in nursing required; bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field preferred; MS preferred.
• Experience:
  • Required minimum 2 years of RN/Nursing clinical experience.
  • Preferred minimum 3 years of hospital infection control experience.
  • Preferred minimum 5 years in a supervisory role or infection control position.
• Licenses/Certificates
  • Current RN license in the State of Texas.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
  • Certification in Infection Control (CIC) required or must obtain within 2 years of hire.
  • Active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
• Skills
  • Strong understanding of microbiology, epidemiology, infectious diseases, aseptic techniques, and current infection prevention practices.
  • Working knowledge of regulatory standards (CDC, TJC, DNV, OSHA, CMS, DOH).
  • Basic computer proficiency including spreadsheets and creating reports.
  • Participating and presentations during meetings.
  • Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English; additional languages preferred.