AHD Infection Preventionist - PB

Overview

The Infection Preventionist (IP) in conjunction with the Infection Control Committee develops, coordinates, implements, maintains, and oversees the hospital-wide infection control program to prevent and/or control infection among patients and employees and to comply with requirements of The Joint Commission (TJC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the California Department of Public Health.

Collaborates with Nursing, physicians, and all ancillary departments of the medical center. Performs related duties as required.

NOTE:

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

• Attends all required safety training programs and describes responsibilities; attends all required safety education programs. Provides complete and accurate responses to safety questions. Operates assigned equipment and performs all procedures in a safe manner as instructed. Maintains work area and equipment in condition required by department standards. Demonstrates proper body mechanics in all functions.
• Collects and reports data to National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN):
  Maintains a current digital certificate and completed NHSN training for Hospital Acquired Infection surveillance and data input. Reports data accurately to NHSN. Presents at monthly Quality Assurance/performance Improvement meetings.
• Communicates with local health departments, home health agencies, extended care facilities, physician offices, and other agencies to prevent the spread of infection within the community:
  Reports communicable disease information in a timely manner. Assists in an outbreak (communicable disease) investigation.
• Counsels and provides guidance and resource data to supervisors, department managers, medical staff, patient, and/or family members regarding infection control issues:
  Utilizes appropriate resources within the infection control department to provide current update information to patient, students, and medical and nursing staff when requested. Provides information to patient and family members when asked for counseling. Supports policies and procedures with concurrent information and shares this with all departments as needed.
• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment:
  Fosters a professional working environment by assuming a leadership role (not supervisory) for all staff. Functions as a role model to the medical center. Interacts with all of the above in a considerate, helpful, and courteous manner as observed by manager and peers. Fosters mature professional relationships with fellow employees in a courteous, friendly manner as measured by management observation and peer input.
  
  Maintains professional composure and confidence during stressful situations. Maintains open communication using appropriate chain of command regarding issues. Conducts all work activities with respect for rights and wishes of patients, visitors, families, and fellow employees. Maintains confidentiality of all hospital and patient information at all times as observed by peers and management. Presents a neat and professional appearance in proper attire with identification badge visible at all times as required by department, and administrative policy.
  
  Continuously displays a "can do" attitude within the department and across departmental lines to contribute to the overall customer service and satisfaction program.
• Demonstrates Alameda Health System's vision: excellence in clinical quality and service; becoming the preferred health care employer in Alameda County; developing clinical programs that advance the health of Alameda County residents; fostering a culture of innovative, efficient, and customer-oriented care; developing partnerships to provide a continuum of services responsive to the community; providing compassionate and culturally sensitive care; supporting graduate medical education and other teaching programs appropriate to our scope of services;
  
  providing contemporary facilities and technology that support high quality health care.
• Develops retrospective and prospective studies to determine areas where the infection rate could be lowered:
  Monitors specific established criteria to determine procedure compliance as needed, or requested.
• Develops, reviews, and revises infection control policies at least every three years. Presents in-service programs relating to infection prevention and control for nursing and ancillary departments:
  Provides infection control general orientation, nursing orientation held monthly and new resident orientation held annually. Provides in-service education as required…