Infection Preventionist - RN | $5,000 Sign-on incentive (2025-1187)

Overview Infection Preventionist - RN (2025-1187) at Valley Medical Center Location: VMC Main Campus, Renton, WA. Department: Quality. Employment type: Full-time. FTE: 1. Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30 with requirements for flexible hours. Job Description The position coordinates and monitors the organization-wide infection prevention program, provides support to the Infection Control Committee, and serves as a resource to staff for infection prevention information. This role prepares statistical reports, develops formal education programs, and undertakes quality improvement responsibilities including conducting special studies and facilitating improvement teams. Responsibilities Review lab cultures for evidence of healthcare-associated infections, outbreaks, or microbial trends. Review inpatient admissions for evidence of readmissions with healthcare-associated infections. Establish and maintain a line listing of patients with healthcare-associated infections. Participate in special investigations related to infection prevention. Review medical records to determine the presence of healthcare-associated infections. Assist in the development of staff education programs for annual infection control and prevention reviews, new employee orientation, and requested training programs related to infection prevention and control. Report required inpatient communicable diseases to the King County Public Health Department or Washington Department of Health. Conduct regular rounds to direct and indirect care areas to identify infection prevention issues; notify appropriate leaders as needed. Assist in evaluating new products and equipment with infection prevention implications. Communicate pertinent information to risk management and Employee Health. Review/revise infection prevention and control policies and procedures at least every three years. Collaborate on sterilization and disinfection methods and make recommendations as indicated. Incorporate infection control principles into construction and renovation projects and ensure proper barriers and procedures are followed. Serve as a resource to employees, patients and families, the medical staff and the community on infection prevention and control issues. Notify Public Relations of any occurrence that may impact the medical center’s public image. Meet with the Infection Control Committee Chair to develop and implement management of infection prevention problems and support committee activities. Present IP plans and surveillance data to stakeholders and committees; participate in networking activities with UW Medicine. Participate in regulatory survey preparation and corrective actions for deficiencies. Collaborate with employee health services to identify transmission risks and implement risk reduction strategies. Collaborate with Public Health Department SKC and DOH in prevention and containment of significant communicable diseases as needed. Collect, analyze, and interpret data to support performance improvement in prevention and control of infections. Present IP plan updates, surveillance data, and ongoing work to stakeholders and committees. Perform other duties as assigned to meet patient/program needs, including orientation of new staff. Conduct annual IP risk assessments and develop the annual plan. Qualifications A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Microbiology or related field in epidemiology/infection prevention; Master’s preferred. Current certification in Infection Control preferred; otherwise expected to complete CIC within two years of hire. Minimum of three years of recent clinical experience in an acute care setting. Knowledge of TJC, OSHA/DOSH, EPA, FDA, and applicable WACs related to infection prevention and quality improvement standards. In-depth knowledge of NHSN standards and criteria for reporting HAIs; ability to explain statistical analyses including SIRs and TAP reports. Teaching skills applicable to counseling the public. Ability to communicate effectively with people of all age groups. Knowledge of regulatory standards including CMS, DOSH, DOH and TJC. Ability to prepare effective oral and written reports and presentations to physicians, hospital leaders and staff. Proficiency with Windows and MS Office (Word, Excel). Experience with infection prevention software for data mining and surveillance preferred. Aptitude for navigating quality-related Internet sites and data management vendors and support agencies. Senior level: Mid-Senior level. Employment type: Full-time. #J-18808-Ljbffr