Infection Control Specialist

SUMMARY: Coordinates the hospital’s efforts to control the spread of infectious disease within the facility as required by CMS or OSHA and other licensing, accrediting, or regulatory bodies or statutes. Conducts surveillance of high-risk population. Monitors any outbreaks of communicable diseases, helps identify potential sources within the facility, and coordinates any necessary follow-up activities. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Develops and manages Infection Control programs for assigned service lines to include collection of data, recordkeeping of hospital associated and community acquired infections, interpretation, analysis, and reporting of information, development of interventions and recommendations related and follow up on performance. Investigates and analyzes clusters of infections or changes in patterns of infection with appropriate interventions. Applies epidemiology principles to identify population/care based risk factors. Interprets and applies state, county, and federal requirements and other appropriate guidelines related to IC and EOC issues; assists with or develop programs to implement guidelines; informs authorities of reportable diseases. Establishes/ maintains communication between infection control, nursing units and ancillary departments for the purpose of problem solving; utilizes appropriate lines of communication within the department. Communicates and interfaces with hospital personnel, patients, medical staff, and family members to ensure high-quality patient care. Develops and implements educational programs for the organization and department personnel, such as orientation program and ongoing in-service education. Develops written standards, policies, and procedures relating to infection control. Serves on nursing and hospital committees and assume responsibility for disseminating and communicating information to staff. Identifies and evaluates relationship of environmental factors to infection. Adheres to TMC organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values, policies and standards. Performs related duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Medical Technology, or Microbiology; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience. EXPERIENCE: One year in infection control or epidemiology in an acute care setting preferred. LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: PreferredCertification by the National Board of Infection Control (CIC). KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of infectious diseases and proper techniques and care to use to minimize risk. Knowledge of epidemiology and/or microbiology. Skill in coordinating risk assessments and communicating protocol to follow. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to inquiries or complaints from employees, patients and/or their representatives, and the general public. Ability to comprehend and apply principles of statistical theory. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.