Infection Preventionist Level I

Overview

Position Summary: In a High Reliability Organization, the Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for contributing to the development and implementation of the system wide Infection Prevention Program through its foundational elements of surveillance, prevention and control policies and procedures that adhere to law and regulation and nationally recognized guidelines. Under the direction of Infection Prevention leadership as appointed by the Quality Board, the IP collaborates with all departments, programs and areas of the system to develop and implement infection surveillance, prevention and control activities including epidemiological principles to investigate trends and outbreak investigations.

Prepares and delivers training and education to hospital staff on infection prevention and control policies, procedures and their clinical applications. Performs rounding and audits to monitor adherence to infection prevention and control policies and procedures in care delivery with communication to staff and stakeholders for performance improvement. Serves as a resource for program infection risk assessment, surveillance, and prevention and control strategies.

Serves as the subject matter expert to members of the leadership team and all caregivers in reference to guidelines for infection prevention and control practices. Collaborates with departments for completion of risk assessments, participates in multiple huddles/meetings and facilitates action plans to mitigate the risk of infection spread. Maintains knowledge of external regulatory reporting and standards related to infection surveillance, prevention and control including TJC, CDC, CMS, ODH and LHDs.

Required Educational Degree
:
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) Major/Area of Concentration:

Preferred Education:

Required Certifications, Credentials and Licenses
:
Registered Nurse with Current Ohio License.
Preferred Certifications, Credentials and Licenses
:
Certification Board of Infection Control (CBIC) - required within 3 years of hire

Required Experience
: 3-5 years current inpatient clinical experience

Preferred Experience
:
Process improvement, EPIC navigation and chart review, Smarsheet, Excel, PowerPoint, Web Ex, Teams Job Specific Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Performs infection surveillance and provides timely, accurate program data/reports/analysis to internal stakeholders and external public health jurisdictions, National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and other external databases as required.
• Participates in identifying risks for infection, contamination, and exposure to patients and staff to prioritize program activities in the annual risk assessment.
• Participates in key program activities including water management program, construction infection control risk assessments (ICRA), antimicrobial stewardship program, inpatient dialysis, laundry/linen services, dietary/nutrition services and surgical services.
• Actively participates in and is responsible for Infection Prevention Committee that is conducted at least twice annually.
• Collaborates with departments to ensure adherence to infection prevention and control policies and procedures such as sterile processing department, supply chain, facilities, nutritional services and environmental services.
• Consults and collaborates with Infectious Disease providers for clinical infection guidance as needed.
• Develops and provides job-specific training and education on infection prevention and control practices initially and ongoing based on topic to ensure competency.
• Rounds and audits to monitor compliance and clinical application of infection prevention and control practices and principles while providing real-time performance feedback.
• Assists in developing and monitoring standard precautions related to environmental cleaning and disinfection, injection and sharps safety, PPE selection and use, exposures, preparing for high-consequence infection diseases or special pathogens, and reprocessing reusable medical equipment.
• Develops, implements, and monitors compliance with transmission-based precautions in accordance with regulatory guidance.
• Provides clinical guidance to reduce risk of infection with indwelling devices through appropriate indication, insertion, maintenance and discontinuation practices.
• Serves as resource and collaborates with Employee Health department to reduce the risk and management of caregiver exposures.
• Develops and maintains infection prevention policies for current, evidence-based standards of practice.
• Performs assessments for compliance with infection prevention and accreditation standards. Identifies opportunities for improvement and provides feedback to staff and leadership. Follows up and evaluates corrective actions taken.
• Assists in development and communication of system-wide education on blood borne pathogens, TB, multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO), CLABSI, CAUTI, PPE and other topics as required by the…