Infection Prevention Specialist

Posting Description We believe a career is more than just a career - it's a calling. Our teammates' "True North" is what calls them to health care; it's their passion. At North Mississippi Health Services, we believe in helping you leverage and connect that passion with a much greater purpose that impacts people you know and love. Job Summary The Specialist - Infection Prevention at North Mississippi Health Services is responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining infection prevention operations, data analysis, and providing consultation and education on infection prevention issues. The specialist will work with various departments and professionals to improve infection prevention practices, compliance with regulatory standards, and reduce healthcare-associated infections. Plans JOB FUNCTIONS Collects, reviews, formulates, manages and executes plans for surveillance and infection control (IC) performance improvement activities based on surveillance data. Plans, implements, promote, and help maintain infection prevention operations; and ensure consistent practices are applied and executed for NMMC and NMMCI facilities. Achieves plans and goals by collaborating and sharing with the IC committee and staff. Operates independently as a The Joint Commission (TJC) team member for IC. Develops and reviews the infection prevention plans and program for NMMC and NMMCI and leads staff in improving infection prevention throughout the system. Develops and maintains, and in collaboration with leadership, oversees the implementation and execution of infection prevention and control policies, procedures, in order to create system consistency and to limit or eliminate practice variances. Data Analysis Collects and reviews clinical data to determine epidemiological significance of health- related infections. Clinical analysis is done in collaboration with the Medical Director of IC, IC Director, and Performance Focused Improvement Department team members in preparing IC reports for the infection control committee and disseminates reports to appropriate areas. Supplies IC Director with data to prepare reports for the IC Committee and disseminates reports to appropriate areas. Reports all required reportable diseases to the State Board of Health from appropriate areas. Ensures all system wide reporting of state and federal regulatory and accrediting agency requirements. Coordinates with other all NMHS areas such as Employee Health, Safety, Long Term Care Facilities, etc. and other external agencies as needed. Collaborates with Employee Health regarding employee issues related to IC. In collaboration with the IC director and the IC Medical Director gives direction in the emergency planning for infection prevention and control. Ensures infection prevention goals are strategically aligned with the Corporate Critical Success Factors. Consultative Functions as a consultant with NMMC administrators, physicians, department managers, NMMC staff State Department of Health, Employee Health, Long Term Care Facilities, Family Medical Clinics, and the community hospital IC Nurses. Works with departments, to prevent Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) and to comply with all regulatory and accrediting agency standards. Serves as leader and consultant to all community hospital infection prevention programs and other NMHS areas upon request. Collaborates with the Medical Director of IC and the IC Committee for infection prevention oversight in designated areas. Formulates surveillance plans and infection control PI activities based on appropriate data. Leads and mentors others on identifying infection risks to patients and visitors throughout the hospital and system. Provides consultation advice on infection prevention program, practice, policy, and educational issues; assures IC training is provided according to policy and TJC requirements. Regulatory Knowledge In appropriate areas: provides education on issues and standards of IC and from the accrediting and state/federal regulatory agencies. Monitors compliance with TJC, OSHA and CDC guidelines. Also serves as an active member, educator and resource to numerous committees including, but not limited to, the IC Committee, Nursing Policy and Procedure, and Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee when needed. Education. Plans and provides education to patients and their family members/visitors who require education or have special needs related to IC. Makes recommendations regarding IC practices to all levels of professionals. Responsible for providing IC education for all employees, including new employees. Provides education and training and acts as an expert resource on IC issues and policies. Develops, maintains and evaluates educations programs, tools and resources for infection prevention. Ensures that evidence based practice are the basis and foundation of the infection prevention program. Customer Service. Recommends infection surveillance plans for NMMC/NMHS. Maintains constructive working relationships with physicians, professional staff at all levels, and other members of the health care team and collaboration with the Medical Director of IC. Assists departments in the infection control PI activities. Recommends plans of action for reducing HAIs in patients and visitors. Collaborates with Employee Health regarding plans of action for employees. #J-18808-Ljbffr