Infection Preventionist

Overview:
Seeking candidates for a full-time Infection Preventionist to support the client. The position will report to the Chief of the Office of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) and will serve as subject matter expert for infection prevention and control for the Office of HAI.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in an applied clinical science (nursing, public health, microbiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology or related field) required. Master's degree preferred.
Certified in Infection Control (CIC®) by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) required.
Experience as an infection preventionist (IP) in acute care infection prevention required.

Preferred Skills:
Broad knowledge of infection prevention in congregate care settings with previous experience in hospital-based IPC programs to reduce HAIs in targeted settings (dialysis, long-term care, outpatient, long-term acute care hospitals and acute care).
Ability to plan, implement and evaluate infection control practices, policies and procedures.
Ability to perform on-site assessments in healthcare and congregate facilities.
Strong technical skills including word processing, spreadsheet development and management, and database management, with an emphasis on proficiency in Google Suite.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience reviewing and editing documents and interviewing.
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks efficiently.
Ability to work independently and use strong judgment based on existing knowledge.

Responsibilities:
Provides IPC support to programs and tracks activities to ensure alignment with grant objectives and milestones
Creates/updates standard operating procedures and protocols for activities related to infection prevention and control
Participates in strategic planning; develops and implements ideas to promote infection prevention and control efforts throughout the state
Conduct on-site (travel involved) and teleconference infection prevention and control program assessments in healthcare and congregate care settings; including long-term care facilities, assisted living, memory care and other facilities as directed
Complete summary reports of facility assessments with facility recommendations and disseminate within 2 weeks of assessment. A mitigation tool should be provided with the findings report when necessary.
Follow-up with facilities after assessments to ensure recommendations are implemented
Provide education to licensing surveyors on infection prevention and control and how to best identify needs at facilities
Conduct infection prevention trainings on a variety of infection prevention topics including personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, infection control precautions and surveillance methods in a variety of educational formats (e.g. oral presentations, recorded videos, webinars, quick guides, templates).
Provide consultation, in conjunction with the local/tribal health department, for outbreak investigations, especially those associated with healthcare facilities.
Interview healthcare facilities about risk factors associated with outbreak or exposure situations to ensure community practices are safe and meet guidelines.
Provide infection prevention subject matter expertise in drafting, reviewing, and editing technical reports, infection control guidelines, and quality educational materials on a diverse spectrum of infection prevention topics, from risk assessment to transmission-based precautions.
Provide consultation to local health jurisdictions and provide them with resources and trainings to build capacity for quality site assessments and how to build infection prevention and control expertise
Educate and train internal staff about appropriate precautions to prevent and control diseases
Evaluate research and evidence-based practices and incorporate appropriate findings into routine practice
Serve as the subject matter expert for general infection prevention and control practices
Willingness to travel within Arizona, as needed
Other duties as assigned

Notes:

Hybrid
Up to 25% in-state travel required

VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status