Infection Preventionist WMCG - Infection Control - Day

Infection Preventionist

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Work Shift: Day (United States of America)

Job Summary:

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for activities surrounding infection prevention and control with emphasis on surveillance, investigation, data analysis/interpretation, consultation, and education. Through these activities, the Infection Preventionist supports the Hospital Infection Prevention Program to improve patient outcomes in all clinical areas as assigned by the director. This role serves as the Infection Prevention Officer.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Surveillance: Demonstrates clinical competency and expertise in epidemiology. Demonstrates understanding of NHSN definitions of infections used for surveillance purposes. Participates in the development of a plan for routine surveillance of assigned patient groups. Conducts ongoing infection prevention and/or control interventions and implements as appropriate. Reviews and interprets infection surveillance data on a regular basis. Identifies clusters/potential outbreaks early. Investigation: Initiates preliminary case finding and risk factor evaluation for the early detection of potential problems, collaborates in planning for, and participates in the conduction of epidemiologic investigations identified. Reports confirmed exposures (patient and/or personnel) to the appropriate internal and/or external individuals. Integrates evaluation of improvements into surveillance practice. Consultation: Initiates and provides routine consultation relating to the implementation of established infection prevention and control policies/procedures. Seeks internal and external consultation as needed to increase expertise to ensure appropriate investigative/interventional measures are implemented. Advises department manager, faculty, staff, and students regarding infection problems and recommended prevention and control measures. Education: Provides formal, problem-oriented educational programs as assigned. Provides informal education to staff members as needed. Develops, coordinates, and provides educational programs (i.e. Asepsis, BSI bundle, etc.) as assigned. Administrative Activities: Collaborates on an ongoing basis with the department director and HEP Staff. Participates in of HEP staff meetings. Participates in the Infections Committee meetings as needed. Participates in the routine review of the HEP policies and procedures. Participates in the routine review of the Infection Control Manual in conjunction with the Infections Committee. Represents HEP on house-wide and other committees as assigned. Performs other duties as assigned Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

• Bachelors Public Health or Bachelors Microbiology or Bachelors Health Science or Masters Other-Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor or BLS - Basic Life Support
• RN - Reg Nurse (Single State)-Preferred

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):

Required Minimum Experience:

Education: additional years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of minimum education requirement. Required and Minimum 2 years experienced in healthcare setting Required and Minimum 1 year experience in infection prevention practice Preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

Strong verbal and written communication. Excellent teamwork and relationship building. Demonstrated knowledge of basic principles of epidemiology, surveillance, data collection and analysis. Personal time management skills are required.

Position Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or Healthcare related field and 2 years or more of experience in nursing or acute care setting. Additional years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of minimum education requirement. Skills required: Computer skills required to include Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Certifications required: Current American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS).

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