Infection Preventionist - RN

Overview

Infection Preventionist - RN ) at Valley Medical Center

Location:

VMC Main Campus, Renton, WA. Department:
Quality.

Employment type:

Full-time. FTE: 1.

Hours:

Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30 with requirements for flexible hours.

The position coordinates and monitors the organization-wide infection prevention program, provides support to the Infection Control Committee, and serves as a resource to staff for infection prevention information. This role prepares statistical reports, develops formal education programs, and undertakes quality improvement responsibilities including conducting special studies and facilitating improvement teams.

• Review lab cultures for evidence of healthcare-associated infections, outbreaks, or microbial trends.
• Review inpatient admissions for evidence of readmissions with healthcare-associated infections.
• Establish and maintain a line listing of patients with healthcare-associated infections.
• Participate in special investigations related to infection prevention.
• Review medical records to determine the presence of healthcare-associated infections.
• Assist in the development of staff education programs for annual infection control and prevention reviews, new employee orientation, and requested training programs related to infection prevention and control.
• Report required inpatient communicable diseases to the King County Public Health Department or Washington Department of Health.
• Conduct regular rounds to direct and indirect care areas to identify infection prevention issues; notify appropriate leaders as needed.
• Assist in evaluating new products and equipment with infection prevention implications.
• Communicate pertinent information to risk management and Employee Health.
• Review/revise infection prevention and control policies and procedures at least every three years.
• Collaborate on sterilization and disinfection methods and make recommendations as indicated.
• Incorporate infection control principles into construction and renovation projects and ensure proper barriers and procedures are followed.
• Serve as a resource to employees, patients and families, the medical staff and the community on infection prevention and control issues.
• Notify Public Relations of any occurrence that may impact the medical center’s public image.
• Meet with the Infection Control Committee Chair to develop and implement management of infection prevention problems and support committee activities.
• Present IP plans and surveillance data to stakeholders and committees; participate in networking activities with UW Medicine.
• Participate in regulatory survey preparation and corrective actions for deficiencies.
• Collaborate with employee health services to identify transmission risks and implement risk reduction strategies.
• Collaborate with Public Health Department SKC and DOH in prevention and containment of significant communicable diseases as needed.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data to support performance improvement in prevention and control of infections.
• Present IP plan updates, surveillance data, and ongoing work to stakeholders and committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet patient/program needs, including orientation of new staff.
• Conduct annual IP risk assessments and develop the annual plan.

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Microbiology or related field in epidemiology/infection prevention;
  Master’s preferred.
• Current certification in Infection Control preferred; otherwise expected to complete CIC within two years of hire.
• Minimum of three years of recent clinical experience in an acute care setting.
• Knowledge of TJC, OSHA/DOSH, EPA, FDA, and applicable WACs related to infection prevention and quality improvement standards.
• In-depth knowledge of NHSN standards and criteria for reporting HAIs; ability to explain statistical analyses including SIRs and TAP reports.
• Teaching skills applicable to counseling the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of all age groups.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards including CMS, DOSH, DOH and TJC.
• Ability to prepare effective oral and written reports and presentations to physicians, hospital leaders and staff.
• Proficiency with Windows and MS Office (Word, Excel).
• Experience with infection prevention software for data mining and surveillance preferred.
• Aptitude for navigating quality-related Internet sites and data management vendors and support agencies.

Senior level:
Mid-Senior level.

Employment type:

Full-time.