Infection Preventionist

Overview

The purpose of Infection Preventionist is to promote patient and staff safety through the identification of sources/risks for infection and developing strategies in the prevention of infections. The Infection Preventionist is responsible for assisting in the development of the Infection Prevention Program Plan and implementation of the Plan at the facility level. The Infection Preventionist implements the Infection Prevention Program Plan by collection, analysis and provision of actionable data regarding healthcare-associated infections to physicians, staff members, department directors/managers and senior management and the Infection Control Committee. The Infection Preventionist uses epidemiologic data to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate infection control practices throughout the hospital and to educate staff members, patients and their families on measures for prevention of infection. The Infection Preventionist acts as a resource/consultant within the hospital in regard to all matters that relate to the prevention and control of infections including: outbreak investigation; isolation precautions; implementation of evidence-based measures for prevention of infection; review of patient careproducts proposed for purchase; review of construction and renovation projects with regard to infection prevention; development of infection prevention policies and procedures. The Infection Preventionist ensures that the hospital is in compliance with the recommendations and regulations of governmental agencies and regulatory authorities with regard to infection prevention.

Responsibilities

• Provide direction and oversight for the activities of local facility Infection Prevention staff.
• Lead and facilitate the development of facility-level goals and objectives.
• Develop and implement a facility-wide Infection Prevention Program.
• Coordinate and implement surveillance methods to monitor nosocomial infection rates in conjunction with the Infection Prevention Committee.
• Collaborate with Employee Health to provide preventive health and wellness-related services to employees.
• Facilitate the establishment and bi-annual review of departmental written Infection Prevention policies and procedures.
• Coordinate the annual review of the Infection Prevention Manual.
• Coordinate Infection Prevention education in collaboration with Nursing Education, Department Directors, and Human Resources.
• Serve as a consultant to all clinical areas regarding Infection Prevention issues.
• Report to the Regional and/or System Director of Infection Prevention.
• Enhance personal and professional growth through participation in professional meetings, educational programs, workshops, in-services, review of current literature, and membership in the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
• Serve as administrative chair of the Infection Control Committee and facilitate related subcommittees.

Ensure representation on hospital committees including, but not limited to:

• Patient Safety
• Environment of Care
• Product Evaluation
• BSI
• VAP
• Nurse Liaison
• ICN
• CT Surgery
• Critical Care

• Interpret and implement Infection Control standards of care recommended by governmental and accrediting agencies.
• Assist the Kentucky Department of Health in communicable disease surveillance activities.
• Utilize effective interpersonal skills and perform duties consistent with the ARH care philosophy.
• Provide oversight and ensure collection and reporting of hospital-acquired infection data as required by law and regulation.
• Maintain and validate all infection prevention data for accuracy and database reliability.
• Meet all internal and external reporting deadlines and requirements.
• Facilitate collaborative teams and develop and implement action plans to reduce and sustain reductions in hospital-acquired infections.
• Travel to other ARH facilities as needed to provide coverage for Infection Prevention staff absences or to address outbreaks and other urgent Infection Prevention needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

• Associate's Degree in a related field with experience working in Infection Prevention required.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree and current license in the field of Nursing preferred; OR
• Bachelor's Degree and current ASCP certification in the field of Clinical Laboratory Science preferred.

Experience

• Four (4) to six (6) years of experience preferred.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Mastery of problem solving and decision making skills.
• Mastery of collaboration and teamwork.
• Mastery of growth mindset skills, including agility and developing yourself and others.
• Mastery of execution and delivery skills, including planning, delivering, and supporting initiatives.
• Ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate course of action.
• Ability to function effectively in a clinical setting with diverse cultural dynamics among clinical staff and patients.
• Mastery knowledge of phases of care transitions and resources available for patients.
• Mastery of digital literacy skills.

Licenses & Certifications

• CIC (CBIC) Certification in Infection Prevention preferred.