Infection Preventionist

Infection Preventionist

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, etc., reviewing and analyzing infection control data, assessing risk factors, and as needed, performing special studies that relate 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, implements approved epidemiologic protocols for investigating, controlling hospital epidemics, other hospital-acquired infections and is responsive 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 on a continuous basis. Assists in preparation of reports and statistical data for the infection control committee, medical staff committees, medical executive committee, administration, 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 which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase employee awareness of hospital acquired infections. 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/non-professional staff members to provide resource information, resolve infection control problems, and identify new opportunities to improve service and reduce costs. Makes recommendations regarding construction, renovation, and environmental rounds and assures compliance with national and/or professional standards. Triages infection control questions and issues where policies do not exist.

Policy Development:

• Develops and enforces effectual policies and procedures for the department and hospital that ensures 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 Master's program within first year of hire if applicant does not have upon hire.
• 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 commiserate with 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 (occasionally means activity or conditions exist up to 1/3 of the work day), and/or, a negligible amount of force frequently (frequently means activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the work day) 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 (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 0-10lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 10-20lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 20-50lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 50-100lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Floor to waist level: 100+lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 0-10lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 10-20lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 20-50lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 50-100lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
• Lifting Waist level and above: 100+lbs - 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 (List) - Not Anticipated

Population Served

• Neonate/Infant up to 1 year: Yes
• Youth (1yr to 15 yrs): Yes
• Adult (16 and up): Yes

Work Shift:

Days (United States of America)

LCMC Health is a community.

Our people make health happen. While our NOLA roots run deep, our branches are the vessels that carry our mission of bringing the best possible care to every person and parish in Louisiana and beyond and put a little more heart and soul into healthcare along the way. Celebrating authenticity, originality,