Infection Preventionist

Infection Preventionist

Agency:
Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) – 340 OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Supervisory Organization: 340 Infectious Disease Prevention and Response

Location:

Central Office – 123 Robert S Kerr Ave, OKC, OK

Full Time

Salary: up to $90,000.00, based on education and experience

Work Schedule:

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

RESPECT. COLLABORATION. SERVICE. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is committed to leading Oklahoma to prosperity through health. Our mission is to protect and promote health, prevent disease and injury, and cultivate conditions by which Oklahomans can thrive.

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
• A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations.
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
• Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees.
• 11 paid holidays a year.
• Student Loan repayment options & tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts with a variety of companies and vendors.
• Longevity Bonus for years of service.

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Infection Prevention and Control, providing guidance and education to county public health partners, healthcare facility infection preventionists and frontline clinicians; supporting the mission of the Acute Disease Service while performing Healthcare Associated Infections program activities.

• Plan and coordinate with state and federal partners in HAI prevention activities.
• Work with other OSDH personnel and healthcare provider partners, including hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, Long Term Care (LTC) and Long-term Acute Care (LTAC) facilities, dialysis centers, etc., to conduct HAI surveillance, case investigation, and cluster/outbreak response.
• Conduct on-site healthcare facility infection control assessments to identify potential gaps in infection control practices, make recommendations from assessment findings and provide resources to address identified gaps.
• Present training, lectures, technical reports to healthcare facilities and state partners.
• Deployable to other regions within the state to assist with HAI-related outbreak response.
• Evaluate readiness of healthcare facilities to respond to cluster or outbreak investigations.
• Support county health departments in each designated region to develop strong infection prevention base to assist in directing healthcare facility activities.
• Being present in the office is an essential function of this job.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Demonstrates knowledge of and supports mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Works effectively in a team environment, participating and assisting peers.

• Requirements consist of a master’s degree in Epidemiology and three years of experience in a field involving the use of epidemiological techniques and analysis plus one year of experience in a field involving the use of epidemiological research and investigation. OR possession of a valid Oklahoma license as a registered nurse as approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing or, Registered Nurse License recognized by the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) and a minimum of eight (8) years of professional nursing experience, OR a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a minimum of six (6) years of professional nursing experience, OR a master’s degree and a minimum of four (4) years of professional healthcare or public health experience.
• Experience in infection prevention and quality improvement within a healthcare facility setting, as well as knowledge of current state and national HAI and AR requirements.

• Certification in Infection Control (or ready to sit for CIC certification test) are preferred.

• If education, certification or licensure is required to meet qualifications, applicants…