Infection Preventionist

Overview

Come lead with us at Houston Methodist Hospital. The Infection Preventionist position is responsible for implementing and maintaining the multiple facets of the Infection Control Program. This role serves as a liaison between all departments and the Infection Control Committee and maintains a routine surveillance program of patients, personnel, and environmental problems that present a real or potential threat to the welfare of patients, visitors, or personnel throughout the institution.

This position serves as a member of the Infection Control Committee and promotes compliance with accreditation, certification and regulatory requirements.

• Implement and maintain infection prevention and control activities in alignment with hospital policies and regulatory standards.
• Act as a liaison between departments and the Infection Control Committee.
• Maintain routine surveillance of patients, personnel, and environmental factors to identify real or potential threats to safety.
• Support accreditation, certification, and regulatory compliance efforts.

• Must possess one of the following:
  • Bachelor and/or Master’s degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, Microbiology, or Public Health
  • Bachelor’s degree in another related field with prior infection control experience and CIC certification

• Two years of experience in an acute care or public health setting
• Previous experience in infection control or public health preferred

• CIC - Certified in Infection Control (CBIC) – Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology Inc.
• If Bachelor degree in Nursing, must have RN – Registered Nurse – Texas State Licensure. Compact Licensure – must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency).
• If Bachelor degree in Medical Technology, must have one of the following:
  • MT - Medical Technologist (ASCP)
  • MLS(ASCP) - Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP)
• If Bachelor degree in Microbiology, specialization in clinical microbiology and registry, must have M(ASCP) - Technologist in Microbiology (ASCP)

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing English relevant to patient and employee safety and security
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, physicians, family members, and co-workers with a customer service focus
• Competent in infection control practices including isolation precautions, hospital surveillance, and construction projects
• Maintains current knowledge of laws, regulatory and accreditation standards
• Proficient with computer programs to complete job duties independently
• Ability to work independently with little or no direct supervision

• Coordinate investigation, identification, and follow-up of contacts who are suspected or confirmed to have been exposed to relevant communicable diseases. This includes notification of and follow-through with the Employee Health Nurse when exposures involve Hospital personnel.

• Use national recognized definitions and best practice guidelines to maintain a practical surveillance program for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), significant communicable diseases, and environmental events with potential impact to safety.
• Apply clinical judgment in medical record audits and communicate identified quality or risk issues through departmental and hospital chain-of-command.
• Presents instructional material for orientations and continuing education relevant to infection prevention and control throughout the hospital.

• Routinely conduct infection prevention process surveillance to identify potential process deficiencies affecting patient safety and HAIs.
• Investigate clusters of infections, communicate results, and facilitate interventions to prevent future infections. Support facility construction planning and collaborate with construction through Infection Control Risk Assessment activities. Escalate…