Infection Preventionist

FLSA Status Exempt Overview At Houston Methodist, the Infection Preventionist position is responsible for implementing and maintaining the multiple facets of the Infection Control Program. This position is a liaison between all departments and the Infection Control Committee. The Infection Preventionist maintains a routine surveillance program of patients, personnel, and the environmental problems that present a real or potential threat to the welfare of patients, visitors, or personnel throughout the institution. This position serves as member of the Infection Control Committee and promotes compliance with accreditation, certification and regulatory requirement. RN, Med Tech, RCP are ideal candidates. OR and Sterile Processing experience is a plus. Education Must possess one of the following: Bachelor and/or Master’s degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, Microbiology, or Public Health Bachelor’s degree in another related field with previous infection control experience and CIC certification Experience Two years of experience in an acute care or public health setting Previous experience in infection control or public health preferred Licenses and Certifications CIC - Certified in Infection Control (CBIC) - Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology Inc. within 3 years If Bachelor degree in Nursing, must have: RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure; Compact Licensure – Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency) If Bachelor degree in Medical Technology, must have one of the following: MT - Medical Technologist (ASCP); MLS(ASCP) - Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP) If Bachelor degree in Microbiology, specialization in clinical microbiology and registry, must have: M(ASCP) - Technologist in Microbiology (ASCP) Knowledge and Abilities Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a customer service focused manner Competent in Infection Control Practices including Isolation Precautions, hospital surveillance and construction projects Maintains current knowledge of laws, regulatory and accreditation standards Proficient with computer programs to complete job duties independently Demonstrates ability to work independently with little or no direct supervision Essential Functions People Essential Functions Coordinates with others for the investigation, identification, and, as deemed appropriate, follow‑up of contacts who are suspected or confirmed to have been exposed to relevant communicable diseases. (Includes notification of the Employee Health Nurse when contacts involve hospital personnel.) Service Essential Functions Uses nationally recognized definitions and best practice guidelines to maintain a practical surveillance program which incorporates systematic and current review of HAIs, significant communicable diseases, and environmental events with potential impact to patient, visitor and healthcare provider safety. Exercises sound clinical judgment, discretion and initiative when performing medical record audits, communicating identified quality or risk issues through departmental and hospital chain‑of‑command. Presents instructional material for orientations and continuing education relevant to infection prevention and control throughout the hospital. Quality/Safety Essential Functions Routinely conducts infection prevention process surveillance to identify potential process deficiencies which may impact patient safety and lead to HAIs. Recognizes and investigates clusters of infections, communicates the investigation results through appropriate channels, and facilitates implementation of interventions to prevent future infections. Supports facility construction planning and collaborates with construction for Infection Control Risk Assessment activities. Escalates safety and infection control issues in a timely fashion. Contributes to evaluation and documentation of the Infection Control Program Plan annually, facilitates its revision, and develops and revises policies and procedures to meet current practice standards. Communicates all pertinent information at timely intervals to the Director of Quality & Outcomes and Medical Director of Infection Control, as appropriate. Responsible for reporting mandatory infection data to national databases, local health authorities, and other regulatory organizations. Maintains patient and physician confidentiality. Participates in hospital survey preparation and onsite survey activity. Data mines information and produces statistics and reports to support continued infection prevention. Finance Essential Functions Collaborates with other departments to monitor use of resources related to infection prevention. Participates in cost reduction efforts by making recommendations to mitigate risk of infection. Self‑motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize tasks. Growth/Innovation Essential Functions Facilitates and coordinates efforts aimed at implementing new standards as required by regulatory and accrediting agencies, including implementation of new or improved policies and procedures related to infection prevention. Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development in infection prevention. Supplemental Requirements Work Attire Uniform: No Scrubs: No Business professional: Yes Other (department approved): No On‑Call Employees may be required to be on‑call during emergencies (e.g., Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc.) regardless of selection below. On Call: Yes Travel Travel specifications may vary by department. May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area: Yes May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area: Yes #J-18808-Ljbffr