Infection Preventionist

Infection Preventionist

Midland, Texas

The Infection Preventionist plays a vital role in keeping Midland Community Healthcare Services patients and employees safe by identifying, investigating, monitoring, reporting of healthcare-associated infections. Ensuring compliance with infection control standards set by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Joint Commission, as well as, state and federal guidelines. The Infection Preventionist collaborates with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies.

Job Duties

• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of infection control processes for a primary healthcare setting.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate the organizational Infection Control program.
• Develop, interpret and assist with implementation of infection prevention and control policies and protocols.
• Demonstrate the ability to teach principles and practical application of infection control to all levels of MCHS personnel.
• Develop an annual surveillance (Risk Management) plan based on our population(s) served, services provided, and the analysis of surveillance data.
• Monitor the clinics to ensure required reports are completed in a timely manner
• Maintain current knowledge with infection control standards
• Ensure employee compliance with policies and procedures pertaining to Infection Control.
• Communicate infection prevention and control information and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization as assigned.
• Comply with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Develop immunization and screening program for employees.
• Apply work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable disease or following an exposure.

Job Expectations

• Maintain certification and licensure requirements.
• Advocated for patient safety, health worker safety, and safe practices.
• Assess and address learning needs of those served.
• Stay current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Readily share knowledge and expertise.
• Work collaboratively with others, providing direction when necessary.
• Participate in an infection prevention and control professional organization/association.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Indirect supervision of all staff as it pertains to infection control

Critical Skills and Abilities

• Oral Comprehension, Expression, Recognition, and Clarity.
• Written Comprehension and Expression.
• Computer & Technology Skills - The ability to navigate and utilize Microsoft Office, and the ability to learn to navigate and utilize proprietary medical software packages.
• Time Management The ability to prioritize tasks in order to best serve the patients and employees of MCHS
• Cultural Competency the ability to deal with people of various cultures and social status, as well as outside entities
• Be familiar with infection prevention software and other technology.

Qualification Requirements

• Must have and maintain a current Registered Nurse license in the state of Texas.
• Must have 3 - 5 years' experience as a Registered Nurse
• Must be willing to become Certified in Infection Control within 36 months of hire date.
• Working knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology, infectious diseases, aseptic techniques and current practices.
• Verifiable documentation of certification from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology will be accepted in lieu of an RN license.
• No felony results on a criminal background screening.
• Drug Screen Test with a negative result.

Work Environment/Conditions

BBP Class I : This job involves the potential exposure to blood borne pathogens due to required job tasks that routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids, tissues or potential splashes. Job duties also involve exposure to latex products, exposure to potential punctures while performing job duties, and exposure to potential fumes.

Physical Demand : Ability to interact with patients and operate office equipment for patient services. Employees will need the ability to lift a minimum of 25 lbs, or more, independently as necessary. Vision abilities are required to read and verify patient information, to read information on medical records, and the read information on computer systems. Ability to pull, push, lift, and manipulate equipment and files. The ability to move freely about the front office and medical record areas in order to perform the job duties is required. In compliance with EEOC 29 CFR part 1630, reasonable accommodations will be made for those employees with disabilities in order to assist them in performing the job duties and demands, provided it does not constitute undue hardship upon MCHS