JOB SUMMARYMAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Position Summary: The Infection Preventionist, is a qualified individual with knowledge of CDC guidelines and definitions of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), Joint Commission standards, federal and state regulations. She / He is responsible for the identification, investigation, reporting, prevention and control of nosocomial infections among patients and personnel. Under the Guidance of the Manager of Infection Prevention and by authority of the Infection Control Committee, she/he may institute collection of cultures and initiate appropriate isolation precautions. She / He is responsible for assisting with in-service programs related to infection prevention and control education.
Infection Prevention:
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of complete infection prevention process in the health care setting.
- Demonstrates knowledge of risk stratified statistics as applicable to trending hospital-acquired infections.
- Demonstrates understanding of standard and isolation precautions as set forth by the CDC.
- Attends continuing education programs and maintains current knowledge of all aspects of infection control.
- Demonstrates knowledge of microbiology, and modes of transmission of disease entities.
- Develops, designs, implements, and evaluates, a system for identifying, investigating, reporting and preventing the spread of nosocomial infections among patients of all ages and healthcare personnel.
- Reviews cultures and sensitivities reported by microbiology laboratory of patients and personnel to determine if infection is hospital-acquired in origin.
- Confers with staff nurses on all patient units on a regular basis to determine occurrence of hospital-acquired infections.
- Confers with medical and nursing staff to determine appropriate implementation of isolation precautions.
- Investigates infections, especially those occurring above established thresholds, and/or in clusters by patient units.
- Initiates culture and sensitivity and/or appropriate isolation precautions when indicated.
- Assists Employee Health Program with follow-up of accidental exposure incidents as needed.
- Communicates appropriate reports to the IOP through the Infection Prevention Committee.
- Assists with in-service education related to infection prevention and control house wide.
- Completes required CMR reports to Public Health Department in a timely and accurate manner.
- Maintains accurate records of hospital-acquired infections among patients and personnel.
- Responsible for overseeing the monitoring and tracking of process and outcome indicators related to infection prevention and control implementation.
- Ensures clusters of infections and HAIs are controlled, and properly investigated
- Assists in the development, implementation and improvement of infection prevention practices.
- Monitors proper use of germicides, cleaning products, antiseptics and disinfectants in use throughout the facility.
- Reviews and/or assists in revision of all department policies and procedures related to infection control on a concurrent basis.
- Demonstrates ability to develop infection prevention policies and procedures based on available evidence-based practices and provides support to facilitate compliance.
- Communicates infection prevention activities to administration, the medical staff and MEC via the Infection Prevention Committee minutes and/or Infection Prevention Committee Chairperson.
- Prepares statistics and other pertinent data and reports to the Infection Prevention Committee at least quarterly.
- Implements and conduct special studies when appropriate or requested by the Infection Prevention Committee Chairperson.
- Collaborates with the Infection Prevention Committee Chairperson to review and approve Infection Prevention Manual policies and procedures at least every two years.
- Based on studies which identifies areas for improved patient outcomes, submits targeted surveillance indicators for Infection Prevention Committee approval on an annual basis.
- Available by voice mail, spectra or in person to assist all departments regarding issues related to infection prevention.
- Stays abreast of changing infection prevention and control practices and present plan for compliance in a timely manner.
- Establishes effective interpersonal relationships with physicians, nurses, and all other members of healthcare team. Communicates in a manner that conveys mutual understanding and respect.
- Designs and implements new methods to improve the efficacy and outcomes of the Infection Prevention Program.
- Demonstrates knowledge of age specific care, including but not limited to, identifying the need for additional safety measures, physiological normal values/readings; and assessing skin integrity, behavior, motor skills and/or activities that place patients at risk as well as communicates effectively in a clear, concise, understandable manner. Applicable for the populations checked below: Infant ( x) Pediatric (x ) Adult (x ) Geriatric ( x)
- Collaborates and communicates any infection prevention related implementation or / performance improvement activities to the Manager of the Infection Prevention
- Performs other related duties as assigned or requested by the Manager of Infection Prevention.
JOB QUALIFICATIONSMinimum Education- Have primary professional training in nursing, medical technology, public health, epidemiology, or other related field.
- Have completed specialized training in infection prevention and control.
Preferred Education- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing preferred.
- CIC preferred or CIC obtained within 2 years of hire.
- Membership in either APIC (Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) or SHEA (Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America) preferred.
Minimum Work Experience and Qualifications - Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Computer skills needed; familiarity with MS office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Preferred Work Experience and Qualifications- At least two years in an acute healthcare setting or five years of relevant clinical experience for non-nurse applicants is preferred.
- Experience in sub-acute care settings is preferred.
Required Licensure, Certification, Registration or Designation- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification from the American Heart Association (AHA)
- Valid Los Angeles County Fire Safety Card (required within 30 days of hire)
- Assault Response Competency (ARC) (required within 30 days of hire)
Status: Full Time Exempt
Shift: Days Exempt
Hours: 8hr Exempt
Weekly/Bi-Weekly Hours: 40hrs/80hrs Exempt
FTE: 1.0
