INFECTION PREVENTIONIST

Overview

Infection Preventionist, Clinical Quality

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Location: Morristown Hamblen Hospital 

Covenant Health Overview:

Covenant Health is the region’s top-performing healthcare network with 10 hospitals, outpatient and specialty services, and Covenant Medical Group, our area’s fastest-growing physician practice division. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer. Our more than 11,000 employees, volunteers, and 1,500 affiliated physicians are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the more than two million patients and families we serve every year.

Covenant Health is the only healthcare system in East Tennessee to be named a Forbes “Best Employer” seven times. 

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Vice President of System Quality and Performance Improvement and the Chief Medical Officer, the Infection Preventionist (IP) directs and operationalizes the infection prevention program for the entire organization. This role collaborates with both local and system senior leadership in order to develop, manage, and evaluate the quality of patient care and clinical outcomes, both in an effort to reduce healthcare–associated infections and to improve patient safety for the entire healthcare system. The IP role supports and is responsible for the management and execution of the infection prevention plan, risk assessment/strategy, and prevention efforts for all applicable hospital departments, outpatient services, and clinical disciplines engaged in infection prevention practices. Additionally, the IP role is responsible for evaluating potential cost reduction or savings by evaluating equipment and supplies as it pertains to infection prevention. The IP conducts routine systematic surveillance, collects, prepares and analyzes healthcare–associated infection data for senior leaders, medical staff leadership, and for use in public reporting to improve patient outcomes. This role is also responsible for participating and providing support for ongoing educational opportunities for clinical and non-clinical staff. The IP serves as a resource for managers, directors, senior leaders, and front line staff in evaluating clinical best practices as it relates to infection prevention processes. The IP is responsible for collaborating with employees to implement practices to keep employees safe and prevent disease related exposures. The IP is responsible for collaborating, assessing, and evaluating policies and procedures related to infection prevention. The IP is responsible for internal and external reporting of information and data, assessing and validating compliance with applicable rules, regulations, conditions of participation, and Joint Commission standards. The IP collaborates with leadership, teams, and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies. The IP contributes to the facility Emergency Preparedness team as a valued content expert member.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and evaluates the organizational infection prevention program.
• Provides organization-wide surveillance. Develops an annual surveillance plan based on the population(s) served, services provided, and analysis of historical surveillance data. Utilizes epidemiologic principles to conduct surveillance and investigations, evaluates and modifies the surveillance plan as necessary.
• Develops, interprets, and assists with implementation of infection prevention and control policies and protocols.
• Communicates infection prevention and control information and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization as assigned.
• Designs and delivers education. Assesses and addresses learning needs of those served. Creates educational goals, objectives, and strategies using learning principles and available educational tools and technology. Evaluates the effectiveness of infection prevention related educational programs and learner outcomes.
• Assesses and facilitates compliance with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels. Facilitates compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. Stays current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Utilizes DMAIC Process Improvement (PI) methodology as a means of enacting change. Defines the scope of the project and selects appropriate PI tools to aid in efficiency, reliability, and effectiveness and ensures sustainability of the initiative. Ensures that customer needs and expectations are considered in the development of and continuous improvement of processes, products, and services. Monitors and analyzes process and outcome measures to evaluate effectiveness and sustainability. Participates in PI committees, teams, and initiatives as indicated.
• Provides consultative assistance for occupational health policies and procedures related to IPC as needed. Assesses risk of occupational exposures to infectious disease. In consultation with Occupational Health, assists with the development of rates and trends of occupational exposures and the development of immunization and screening programs. Applies work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable disease or following an exposure in conjunction with Occupational Health team.
• Pursues professional growth and development of required knowledge and skills. Establishes at least one (1) professional goal per year and participates in an infection prevention and control professional organization/association (i.e.: APIC).
• Advocates for patient safety, health worker safety, and safe practices. Consults and collaborates, as needed, with local, state, and federal public health officials and community health organizations. Involves multidisciplinary teams to ensure changes are vetted by all stakeholder groups.
• Routinely interacts with personnel from nearly all departments, especially those departments which provide direct or indirect patient care or whose responsibilities impact on materials utilized by patients. Serves as active member of the construction and renovations process to validate that all Infection Prevention measures are in place to prevent infections related to construction/renovation activities.
• Utilizes principles of influence, leadership, and change management. Brings enthusiasm, creativity, and innovation to practice. Works collaboratively with others, providing direction when necessary.
• Readily shares knowledge and expertise. Contributes to the development of less-experienced healthcare providers through education and mentorship.
• Prepares and delivers infection prevention presentation to external groups. Serving as a community resource, has routine interaction with outside individuals from varied patient care and public health disciplines who seek information, advice, or guidance in solving problems related to the control of infections.
• Evaluates (critically) research and evidence-based practices and incorporates appropriate findings into routine practice. Integrates evidence-based practices into policies, guidelines, protocols, and educational strategies.
• Identifies barriers for implementation and develops strategies to minimize or remove barriers. Implements strategies to sustain efforts such as audit of tools and meaningful feedback.
• Maintains familiarity with infection prevention software and other technology. Collaborates with IT to create meaningful electronic reports to enhance infection prevention initiatives.
• Considers the financial/safety implications and clinical outcomes when making recommendations, evaluating technology and products, and developing policies and procedures.
• Uses a systematic approach to evaluate costs, benefits, and efficacy. Incorporates fiscal assessments into program evaluations and/or reports. Assists with development and maintains departmental budgets.
• Participates in product evaluation teams.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

An associate degree or higher in nursing, public health, epidemiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or related field is preferred. BSN/MSN/MPH/MLT is encouraged.

Minimum Experience:

Two (2) years clinical experience is preferred.

Licensure Requirement:

If holds an RN or MT license in State of Tennessee, must maintain licensure. CIC certification by Certificate Board of Infection Prevention Control and Epidemiology, Inc. is encouraged.