Bachelor's Degree required; Master's preferred in nursing, medical technology, or healthcare-related field.
5-7 years of healthcare experience preferred, with a focus on infection prevention or control activities.
Rhode Island Registered Nurse (RN) licensure required for nursing degree holders.
Certification in Infection Control (CIC) highly preferred, with encouragement to achieve within two years.
Advanced knowledge of aseptic techniques and infection control procedures.
Responsibilities
Review daily patient admissions for infectious disease diagnoses.
Analyze microbiology/lab reports and enter data into the system.
Conduct patient surveillance rounds on nursing units.
Perform retrospective chart reviews for healthcare-acquired infections.
Educate staff on infection prevention and control practices.
Consult with medical staff regarding patient infections.
Report infectious disease cases to the RI Department of Health.
Support regulatory preparedness activities for infection prevention.
Benefits
Opportunities for continuing education and professional development.
Collaborative work environment with frontline staff and healthcare professionals.
Engagement in hospital-wide infection prevention initiatives.
Participation in on-call rotation for infection control emergencies.
Full Job Description
Job Summary
The Infection Preventionist (IP) helps to plan, coordinate and implement a hospital-wide program for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections. The IP performs daily infection prevention and control surveillance activities. They monitor infection control practices in all hospital departments and collaborate with the frontline staff to enhance infection control practices. They develop policies and procedures to protect patients and staff from nosocomial infections. The IP educates hospital staff at all levels concerning infection prevention and control and work with Occupational Health to investigate cases of employee infection and exposures. They also report infectious disease cases to RI Department of Health.
Duties & Responsibilities
Reviews daily list of patient admissions for diagnoses indicative of infectious disease and/or nosocomial infection.
Reviews all microbiology/lab reports daily and enters appropriate information in computer.
Conducts patient surveillance rounds on nursing units.
Performs retrospective chart review in the electronic medical record for documentation regarding healthcare acquired l infections and for special studies.
Provides input and education of employees regarding infection prevention and control.
Consults with physicians and/or nursing staff regarding patient infections.
Reports infectious disease cases to RI Department of Health.
Supports hospital-wide infection prevention regulatory preparedness activities, including surveys performed by The Joint Commission (TJC), state health department, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Collaborates with Occupational Health for investigation of Employee infections/exposures.
Investigates suspected outbreaks, clusters and provides exposure management
Develops, reviews, revises, and implements policies and procedures.
Analyzes trends and interprets data to identify risks and opportunities for prevention.
Independently and routinely performs Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs) for construction and maintenance projects.
Keeps informed of current techniques and practice in the field.
Participates in on-call rotation.
Performs all other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
Bachelor's Degree Required, Master's Degree Preferred; Field of study: nursing, medical technology or other healthcare related.
Minimum 5 to 7 Years of healthcare experience preferred. Experience in infection prevention or infection control related activities required.
Rhode Island Registered Nurse (RN) licensure required for individuals with a nursing degree.
Certification in Infection Control (CIC) highly preferred and strongly encouraged to achieve within two years.
Advanced knowledge in aseptic techniques and infection prevention and control procedures.
Knowledge and thorough understanding of general cleaning, sanitation, waste management, and sterilization techniques.
Knowledge of hospital nursing practices, surgical nursing techniques, medical terminology, and applied mathematics as they relate to infection prevention activities.
Proficient in use of computers and Microsoft Office programs.
Skilled in data collection and management.
Commitment to continuing education and professional development.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
About Care New England Health System
Care New England Health System is a non-profit health care system based in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1996 and is comprised of three hospitals: Kent Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, and Butler Hospital. The system also includes a number of outpatient facilities and physician practices. Care New England Health System provides a wide range of medical services, including primary care, specialty care, and surgical services.
