Infection Preventionist

Position Summary

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for surveillance, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of infections including healthcare acquired infections (HAIs); investigation and response to outbreaks of infection among patients and/or healthcare personnel; consultation to all hospital units/clinics/departments on infection control practices; development of resources and education related to infection prevention and control practices; and serving as a liaison with other entities within the UNM Health System and also county and state health departments.

This individual will work with multidisciplinary departments to ensure prevention measures are in place and facilitate adherence with regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and other recommended or evidence-based practices aimed at prevention of infections including HAIs and other communicable infectious diseases encountered in the healthcare setting. Ensure adherence to Hospitals and departmental policies and procedures. No patient care assignment.

• INFECTION CONTROL - Conduct rounds on a regular basis within the hospital to review infection control practices, identify infection control gaps, and advise regarding the proper use of personal protective equipment and application of transmission-based precautions
• POLICIES AND PROCEDURES - Maintain an understanding of departmental policies in order to provide coverage during the absence of the Infection Prevention and Control Director
• ORIENTATION - Assist in conducting orientation of all new hospital employees, educating them as to their role in preventing transmission of infectious agents
• EDUCATION - Conduct annual staff education on infection control and MRSA as assigned
• EDUCATION - Educate patients, employees, and students affiliated with the hospital about the principles of infection control in patient care to include MRSA education program, contact isolation, prevention and decolonization
• EDUCATION - Respond to infection control questions and problems throughout all hospital areas on a daily basis, alerting the Director and the Hospital Epidemiologist to substantive issues encountered
• COMMITTEES - Serve as member of the Infection Control Committee and as a member of hospital committees in which the Epidemiology Department as assigned
• STUDIES - Participate, as assigned, in specialty studies to identify, investigate or illustrate infection control practices
• DEVELOPMENT - Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops
• PATIENT SAFETY 1 - Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols
• PATIENT SAFETY 2 - Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
• PATIENT SAFETY 3 - Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk
• PATIENT SAFETY 4 - Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner
• PATIENT SAFETY 5 - Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right"
• INFECTION CONTROL - Conduct surveillance of infections including HAIs and notifiable infections; detect, investigate, summarize findings, and assist with response to clusters or outbreaks in the healthcare setting
• DATA - Collect, prepare, analyze and present valid, accurate and meaningful data in a variety of formats for various units, clinics, departments and committees
• RECORDS – Apply Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HAI definitions to detect and track HAIs; keep up-to-date and accurate records of HAIs and other pertinent infections in the hospital; assure accuracy of data entry
• INFECTION CONTROL – Conduct communicable disease outbreak investigations occurring in the hospital and clinics; coordinate management with physicians, Occupational Health, and public health authorities as appropriate
• EDUCATION – Provide education regarding…