Infection Prevention Practitioner

The position will cover both Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) and Verde Valley Medical Center hospitals, but will be based at FMC.In collaboration with the Infection Prevention Director and Infectious Disease Department Chair, the Infection Prevention Practitioner (IPP) will participate in activities related to surveillance of both hospital inpatient/outpatient populations and the employees who work with and around patients. The IPP is responsible for leading hospital infection surveillance, NHSN and regulatory reporting, data validation and analysis.

Assists healthcare team personnel with education regarding proper care of infected patients, including isolation procedures. Consults with the team to evaluate hospital acquired infections and determine possible routes of transmission and planned course of action. Educates staff, visitors, volunteers, medical staff etc. on new infection prevention guidelines from OSHA, CMS, ADHS and the CDC. The IPP is a working member of the Infection Prevention Committee, performing surveillance and reporting case finding activities on a regular basis.

The IPP possesses skills that demonstrate IP proficiency in the essential career competencies as defined by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).

• Possesses knowledge of epidemiology and outbreak investigation and leads investigations.
• Differentiates among colonization infection and contamination.
• Identifies occurrences, reservoirs, incubation periods, periods of communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms and susceptibility associated with the disease process.
• Interprets results of diagnostic/laboratory reports.
• Recognizes limitations and advantages of types of tests used to diagnose infectious processes.
• Recognizes epidemiologically significant organisms for immediate review and investigation.
• Differentiates among prophylactic, empiric, and therapeutic use of antimicrobials.
• Collaborates with local/state health department as needed.

• Conducts surveillance: standardized, case finding methods and application of HAI definitions. Applies and expands surveillance principles to diverse populations.
• Skilled at using NHSN and may validate NHSN surveillance conducted by others.
• Independently performs electronic surveillance, applies data mining principles, and can integrate both manual and electronic findings for comprehensive reporting.
• Uses advanced statistical tools (SIR, P values, standard deviation, odds ratio).
• Able to interpret research data and apply findings to current practice.
• Understands and/or uses more complex data display tools (control charts, affinity diagrams, scatter plots).
• Possesses understanding of endemic vs. epidemic rates, common or special cause variation.
• Uses comparative analysis to support institutional accrediting and regulatory compliance.
• Has advanced knowledge of epidemiologic study and design; can conduct basic cluster/epidemic investigations.

• Designs complex interventions, understands and applies principles of PI to both daily operations and special projects.
• Independently uses PI tools and methods; can choose and utilize approaches appropriate to stakeholder needs and project timelines.
• Develops and reviews infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with public health agencies in planning community responses to biologic agents.
• Identifies and implements infection prevention and control strategies which correspond to organizational and strategic priorities such as hand hygiene, immunization practices, cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, etc.

• Interprets and applies meta-analyses; interprets research findings, identifies study limitation and bias.
• Is an effective educator/presenter using a variety of skills and techniques.
• Experienced with presenting to large internal and/or external audiences.
• Participates in local, regional, national policy review and advocates for legislation.
• Knowledgeable about accreditation and other quality requirements pertaining to infection prevention and control.
• Participates in and/or leads goal planning activities, program assessment, or budget development. Makes an effective business case for needed resources.

• Responsible for reporting any safety related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety…