Infection Preventionist

Where patient safety meets your passion-Infection Preventionist Cheyenne County Hospital is looking for a part-time Infection Preventionist Job Summary: The Infection Preventionist (IP) oversees the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP), which is designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections. The IP collaborates with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies. Core Responsibilities Program Management: Develops, implements, and annually revises the facility's Infection Control Program Plan in accordance with CDC guidelines and CMS Critical Access Hospital Conditions of Participation. Surveillance & Data Analysis: Conducts daily surveillance, analyzes microbiology reports, and identifies unusual infection clusters or healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Environment of Care & Safety: Routinely conducts environmental and safety rounds, oversees hazardous waste management, and evaluates the built environment (such as during construction or remodeling) to prevent the spread of pathogens. Employee Health & Education: Collaborates with County Health to manage immunizations, communicable disease screening, and exposure follow-ups. Provides training on hand hygiene, PPE use, and isolation protocols. Antibiotic Stewardship: Leads the hospital's antibiotic stewardship program to monitor antibiotic usage and prevent antimicrobial resistance. Education and Certification Nursing degree or degree in epidemiology, public health, clinical laboratory science, or other related health fields. Bachelor's degree preferred. Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) preferred or, attainment within 3 years of accepting the position Knowledge of proper Personal Protective Equipment to protect self and staff required Maintain current CPR card Experience Five or greater years of experience in general nursing Knowledge of infection prevention and communicable disease or experience as an Infection Preventionist preferred Analytical Problem solving Strong oral and written communication skills Ability to implement evidence-based guidelines Program and project management Expertise in data collection and analysis, report writing, and data presentation Leadership Familiar with software technologies Job Functions: Develop, interpret and assist with implementation of infection prevention and control policies and protocols. Collaborates with Infection Control Committee to review and approve Infection Control Manual policies and procedures at least annually. Evaluates and updates Infection Prevention Plan with the IPC committee at least annually. Actively participates or facilitates the Antibiotic Stewardship Committee. Develop Antibiotic Stewardship policies and procedures in conjunction with the AS committee. Orientation of all employees, including Medical Staff on infection prevention procedures, isolation techniques, and house-wide prevention of hospital acquired infections. Comprehensive knowledge of infection prevention and control process in the healthcare settings. Assist in the development, implementation, and improvement of infection prevention and control practices. Demonstrates understanding of standard and isolation precautions as set forth by the CDC. Demonstrates knowledge of microbiology and modes of transmission of disease entities. Reviews cultures and sensitivities reported by microbiology laboratory of patients and healthcare personnel to determine if infection is healthcare acquired in origin. Develops and implements a system for identifying, investigating, reporting, and preventing the spread of healthcare associated infections among patients/residents of all ages and healthcare personnel. Confers with staff nurses in Hospital on a regular basis to determine occurrence of healthcare acquired infections. Confers with medical and nursing staff to determine appropriate implementation of isolation precautions. Guides and assist culture and sensitivity and/or appropriate isolation precautions when indicated Assists with in-service education regulated to infection prevention and control facility wide. Maintains accurate records of healthcare associated infections among patients. Monitors proper use of germicides, cleaning products, antiseptics and disinfectants in use throughout the facility in conjunction with EVS Manager. Provides education on an as needed basis regarding hand washing and isolation practices and conducts surveillance. Stays abreast of changing infection prevention and control practices with NHSN and APIC guidelines and presents plan for compliance in timely manner. Establishes effective interpersonal relationships with physicians, nurses, and all other members of the healthcare team. Communicates in a manner that conveys mutual understanding and respect. Collaborates with County Health on facility best practices and disease reporting. Collaborate with Employee Health nurse. Other job duties within scope of practice. Performance Improvement (PI or QAPI) Utilize PI methodology as a means of enacting change. Use SQSS to monitor and analyze process and outcome measures to evaluate effectiveness and sustainability. Participate in QAPI committees, teams and initiatives as indicated Occupational/Employee Health Participate in the development/review of occupational health policies and procedures related to IPC. Assess risk of occupational exposures to infectious disease. Develop (or assist with) rates and trends of occupational exposures. Develop (or assist with) immunization and screening programs. Apply work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable diseases or following exposure. Reporting Requirements The Infection Preventionist or designee shall prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual Infection Control Surveillance Reports indicating the percentage of HAIs for that period. Additional pertinent information related to employee health and/or communicable diseases shall be included in the reports. Quarterly and annual reports shall be reviewed at the regularly scheduled Medical Staff meetings and shall be signed by the consulting Pathologist or Chief of Staff. Annual review of Infection Prevention Plan State-wide Mandatory Disease Report The Reportable Diseases as Identified by the State of Kansas policy shall be followed to comply with mandatory disease reporting requirements. Records are maintained by the County Health nurse and Chief Nursing Officer and reported by the County Health nurse. Log of Incidents Related to Infections and Communicable Diseases The Infection Preventionist and/or Chief Nursing Officer, in coordination with the Human Resource Director, shall maintain a log of all incidents related to infections and communicable diseases, including those identified through employee health services. Antibiotic Stewardship Oversee the antibiotic stewardship program and monitor patient’s antibiotic use Prepares a monthly report for Antibiotic Stewardship for the medical staff meetings Present the program outcomes to the Medical Staff meetings Actively facilitates the Antibiotic Stewardship Committee Develop Antibiotic Stewardship policies and procedures in conjunction with the Antibiotic Stewardship committee Successful applicants will be professional, personable, strong communication skills, and basic computer knowledge. Cheyenne County Hospital/Clinic offers competitive wages, paid CEUs, support for educational growth, and a comprehensive benefit package. Application Instructions Apply Online or in addition, you may send your resume and cover letter to Human Resources, Cheyenne County Hospital, PO Box 597, St. Francis, KS 67756 or call HR at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Cheyenne County Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, natural origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected by law or regulation. #J-18808-Ljbffr Cheyenne County Hospital