Infection Prevention Specialist

Infection Prevention Specialist

The purpose of the Infection Prevention Specialist is to support the implementation of evidence-based practices to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections. Primary responsibilities include surveillance, collaboration with front-line clinicians to provide education, consultation, and coaching for the facilitation of quality improvement work. This individual has a reporting relationship to the Infection Prevention Coordinator and/or Manager of Quality and Safety as applicable.

Responsibilities:

• Knows, understands, incorporates, and demonstrates the MercyOne (Trinity Health) Mission, Vision, Core Values, Actions and Promise in behaviors, practices, and decisions.
• Assists with ongoing targeted surveillance of infections in patients and collaborates with Employee Health for infection risks among colleagues.
• Keeps accurate record of healthcare-associated infections. Compiles, analyzes and interprets surveillance data to determine: a.) the prevalence of pathogens and trends in infections per unit, b.) if standards/thresholds are met, and c.) to isolate causes of patterns when identified. The specialist is responsible for collaborating with leadership to facilitate corrective action strategies for infection prevention.
• Prepares and presents infection control data and reports to the Infection Control Committee and other stakeholders.
• Identifies and promptly reports epidemiological variations in levels of disease to the Infection Prevention Coordinator and chairperson of the Infection Control Committee, and implements recommendations for prevention and control.
• Monitors environment through rounding and observes associate activities for the purpose of detecting possible infection hazards and to evaluate compliance with standards set by the Infection Control Committee.
• Monitors and evaluates isolation precautions, aseptic and patient care techniques to provide optimal care to patients.
• Collaborates with all departments to develop and update area-specific policies and procedures pertinent to infection control practices.
• Prepares and maintains appropriate documentation of activities for regulatory, performance improvement and internal purposes, including required reports to National Health Safety Network, National Database for Nursing Quality.
• Disseminates information relative to infection prevention and control and implements measures recommended by the Infection Control Committee.
• Influences change through input on products pertaining to infection prevention and control, safety concerns, and conducts education programs.
• Maintains communication with department directors/managers/supervisors to verify information relevant to infection prevention and control.
• Serves on the Infection Control, Safety and other hospital committees.
• Maintains an effective working relationship with medical staff and hospital associates.
• Serves as information resource and advises on infection prevention and control issues.
• Serves as liaison to Health Department(s) and submits reports to appropriate agencies concerning healthcare associated and community acquired infections and reportable diseases.
• Serves as resource/liaison/consultant to other health care facilities, community agencies and businesses upon request and at the direction of the coordinator.
• Recommends placement of patients in isolation precautions (according to established policy) and provides advice concerning bed placement. Recommends discontinuing of isolation when considered appropriate.
• Collects infection control information delineating the frequency and nature of infections occurring in the hospital by a) regular review of bacteriology reports, b) surveillance of patients with infections originating following admission, c) rounding to confer with hospital colleagues, d) monitoring isolation precaution cases, e) reviewing patient records, to include autopsy reports, and f) receiving reports from colleagues, case managers and medical records associates relating to healthcare associated infections and reportable diseases.
• In cooperation with appropriate resources, conducts investigation of all significant clusters of infections above expected levels; collects, compiles and analyzes data for special infection control studies and has authority to institute appropriate control measures when indicated.
• Assists in development and presentation of infection control orientation programs and prepares education related materials concerning infection control upon request.
• Maintains working relationship with Employee Health in order to limit the likelihood of infection in colleagues. Assists in directing the follow-up of colleagues exposed to an diagnosed or undiagnosed infection.
• Remains current and up to date on developments in Infection Prevention and Control and incorporates advances into professional activities when practicable.
• Participates in nursing meetings as appropriate.
• Participates in Medical Staff meetings as appropriate.
• Participates/leads regional infection prevention workgroup.
• Collaboratively works with the owned critical access hospitals at the direction of the coordinator/quality and safety manager as appropriate.
• Participates in new hire education of hospital-acquired infections, hand hygiene and infection prevention and control practices.
• Participates in quality and safety meetings as appropriate.
• Supports/leads and/or participates in root cause analyses related to infection prevention and control.
• Participates in risk mitigation for construction projects with re-inspections.
• Participates in environment of care rounds and follow up with education.
• Owns/reviews applicable policies and procedures related to infection control and in compliance with regulations and standards.
• Works collaboratively with quality and safety excellence nurses and risk management in improvements in areas of quality and safety applicable to infection control.
• Inputs data into regulatory and applicable databases (i.e., NHSN, NDNQI, etc.) as appropriate.
• Attends nursing governance councils as appropriate.
• Supports emergency medical services exposure reconciliation as applicable.
• Participates in supporting environmental services in insect management (i.e. bed bugs)
• Participates in antimicrobial stewardship meetings.
• Performs other duties consistent with purpose of job as directed.

General Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree, or higher in nursing or healthcare related field required.
• Requires a minimum of three (3) years of experience in healthcare setting.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.