What are the responsibilities and job description for the Infection Preventionist position at UPMC?
Be on the front lines of patient safety.
The Infection Preventionist plays a vital role in protecting patients, staff, and visitors by identifying, preventing, and controlling healthcare‑associated infections (HAIs). This role partners closely with clinical teams, hospital leadership, and public health agencies to drive data‑informed decisions, support regulatory compliance, and strengthen hospital‑wide infection prevention efforts.
What You’ll Do
- Conduct hospital‑wide surveillance to identify HAIs through electronic medical record review, laboratory and diagnostic data, treatment plans, and collaboration with hospital staff.
- Document infection data accurately in electronic surveillance systems in compliance with state and regulatory requirements.
- Analyze surveillance data to identify infection trends, develop risk‑reduction strategies, and support process improvement initiatives.
- Prepare and share reports that communicate infection trends, findings, and recommendations to key stakeholders.
- Investigate infection clusters and outbreaks, identify potential sources, and educate staff on short‑ and long‑term control measures.
- Develop, deliver, and document infection prevention education for hospital staff, patients, and families using age‑ and role‑appropriate methods.
- Perform environmental rounds to assess compliance with Department of Health (DOH), Life Safety, and Joint Commission (TJC) standards.
- Conduct construction and renovation rounds to ensure infection prevention and safety compliance during projects.
- Partner with hospital leadership to identify improvement opportunities that reduce HAIs and protect patients, employees, and visitors.
- Serve on the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and provide infection prevention expertise to hospital committees as needed.
- Lead and support interdisciplinary teams focused on disease control and quality improvement initiatives.
- Communicate and collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, administrators, and local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
- Act as a liaison with local and state health departments, including reporting notifiable diseases and investigating communicable conditions.
- Support mandatory infection prevention reporting requirements, including NHSN reporting, physician notification, and responding to patient inquiries related to reported infections.
- Assist with implementing infection prevention policies and guidelines across all hospital departments in alignment with CDC, OSHA, TJC, and DOH standards.
- Maintain ongoing professional development through continuing education, professional publications, and participation in professional organizations.
- Perform related duties as assigned and in accordance with system‑wide competencies and behaviors.