RN - Infection Control

Infection Preventionist

The Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for identifying, investigating, monitoring, and reporting healthcare-associated infections. The IP collaborates with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention efforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports and promotes the mission and values of the organization.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates the organizational infection prevention program.
• Creates an annual surveillance plan based on the populations served, services provided, and analysis of surveillance data.
• Conducts an annual risk assessment, establishing goals and priorities from previous activities.
• Evaluates and modifies the surveillance plan as necessary.
• Establishes and implements organization-wide infection surveillance, prevention, and control policies and procedures that comply with nationally recognized guidelines.
• Interprets and assists with the implementation of infection prevention and control policies and protocols.
• Considers financial, safety implications, and clinical outcomes when making recommendations and developing policies.
• Communicates infection prevention and control information to various committees and healthcare workers as assigned.
• Utilizes epidemiologic principles to conduct surveillance and investigations.
• Applies National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria to identify hospital-acquired infections.
• Performs audits to assess adherence to infection prevention and control policies by personnel.
• Communicates with clinicians regarding patients exposed to infections/communicable diseases during hospitalization.
• Participates in the Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) process for construction and renovation projects ensuring compliance with standards.
• Participates in environmental rounds, assuring compliance with standards.
• Collaborates with physicians and nurses to develop infection prevention practice standards using knowledge of current healthcare trends.
• Works with education departments to develop competency-based training and education for hospital personnel on infection prevention guidelines.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to ensure stakeholder engagement in changes.
• Coordinates with quality team members to integrate infection prevention issues within the quality assurance and performance improvement program.
• Works with the antibiotic stewardship program leader and team.
• Collaborates with safety management to ensure effective environment of care rounds.
• Acts as the organization's expert for Infection Prevention and Control Chapter within accreditation requirements.
• Plans, coordinates, and facilitates the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
• Enforces compliance with OSHA, CDC, CMS, and other regulatory agencies.
• Meets regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Consults with local, state, and federal public health officials as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned consistent with this role.

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Skills

• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Collaboration and strong communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to implement evidence-based guidelines.
• Conflict resolution and program management skills.
• Expertise in data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Leadership and familiarity with software technologies.

Education and Experience

• Baccalaureate degree in nursing, public health, epidemiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or a related field preferred.
• Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC©) preferred, or attainment required within two (2) years from the date of hire.

Location

City, State