Infection Preventionist

Your job is more than a job. The Infection Preventionist works on infection prevention and control projects at the hospital. These projects include active surveillance of patient records, providing training and education related to infection control and quality assurance, monitoring compliance through observations, audits, checklists, reviewing and analyzing infection control data, assessing risk factors, and performing special studies related to infection prevention and control. General Duties Surveillance Evaluates hospital‑acquired infection rates using a statistical process control methodology. Submits data to the National Healthcare Safety Network. Reports to public health agencies as required by law. Performs infection control environment of care (EOC) rounding. Develops and implements approved epidemiologic protocols for investigating, controlling hospital epidemics, other hospital‑acquired infections, and responds to unanticipated exposures and outbreaks. Performance Improvement Performs an annual assessment and develops action plans from the prior year activities. Establishes, implements, and administers departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures. Participates in quality/performance improvement activities by assessing, monitoring, measuring hospital‑acquired infections and evaluating outcomes continuously. Assists in preparation of reports and statistical data for the infection control committee, medical staff committees, medical executive committee, administrative and other committees as needed. Education/Consultation Plans, organizes, develops, and implements educational programs for all hospital employees, including contract staff, volunteers, administrative and ancillary services. Demonstrates techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for hospital employees and patients. Interacts with physicians, nurses, department managers, supervisors, occupational health, and other professional or non‑professional staff to provide resource information, resolve infection control problems, and identify new opportunities to improve service and reduce costs. Provides recommendations regarding construction, renovation, and environmental rounds and ensures compliance with national and professional standards. Triage infection control questions and issues where policies do not exist. Policy Development Develops and enforces effective policies and procedures for the department and hospital that ensure compliance with TJC, OSHA, CDC, CMS, and other state and federal regulatory agencies. Experience Qualifications Required: None Preferred: Experience in infection control in a clinical setting Education Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or Health‑related science field. Must enroll in a Master’s program within the first year of hire if not already obtained. Preferred: Master’s Degree Licenses and Certifications Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) must be obtained within 3 years of hire. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Specialized training and a basic knowledge of infection control principles, practices, infection prevention and control standards, and epidemiological principles. Familiarity with NHSN requirements is essential. Maintains state license and continuing education requirements applicable to the position. Must have strong familiarity navigating the electronic medical record. Preferred: Working knowledge with Epic. Reporting Relationships Does this position formally supervise employees? No Functional Demands Sedentary: Very light physical requirements – Sedentary work – Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently, to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Physical Demands Sitting – Continuous (67–100% of day) Standing – Occasional (0–35% of day) Walking – Frequent (36–66% of day) Climbing – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Floor to waist level: 0–10 lb – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Floor to waist level: 10–20 lb – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Floor to waist level: 20–50 lb – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Floor to waist level: 50–100 lb – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Floor to waist level: 100 lb+ – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Waist level and above: 0–10 lb – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Waist level and above: 10–20 lb – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Waist level and above: 20–50 lb – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Waist level and above: 50–100 lb – Occasional (0–35% of day) Lifting Waist level and above: 100 lb+ – Occasional (0–35% of day) Carrying objects – Occasional (0–35% of day) Push/pull – Occasional (0–35% of day) Twisting – Occasional (0–35% of day) Bending – Frequent (36–66% of day) Reaching forward – Frequent (36–66% of day) Reaching overhead – Occasional (0–35% of day) Pinching/fine motor activities – Occasional (0–35% of day) Keyboard use/repetitive motion – Continuous (67–100% of day) Taste or smell – Occasional (0–35% of day) Talk or hear – Continuous (67–100% of day) Sensory Requirements Near Vision – Accurate 20/40 Far Vision – Accurate 20/40 Color Discrimination – Yes Depth Perception – Accurate Hearing – Accurate Occupational Exposure Risk Potential Bloodborne pathogens – Not Anticipated Chemical – Reasonably Anticipated Airborne communicable diseases – Reasonably Anticipated Extreme temperatures – Not Anticipated Radiation – Reasonably Anticipated Uneven surfaces or elevations – Reasonably Anticipated Extreme noise levels – Not Anticipated Dust/particular matter – Reasonably Anticipated Other – Not Anticipated Population Served Neonate/Infant up to 1 year: Yes Youth (1 yr to 15 yrs): Yes Adult (16 and up): Yes Work Shift Days (United States of America) LCMC Health is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The above job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. #J-18808-Ljbffr