Infection Preventionist (4919)

Provides surveillance throughout the organization to promote infection prevention and adherence to infection control standards of practice, policies and procedures. Collects, analyzes and reports data concerning hospital acquired infections, isolation procedures, types of treatment and control measures.

Essential Function

Provides ongoing monitoring of infection control through surveillance activities such as review of admission diagnoses, culture results, isolation orders, medical records, consultation requests, patient care/environmental rounds, post-discharge follow-up, statistical data and other case finding mechanisms to maintain Joint Commission, Centers for Disease Control, State and other regulatory standards and requirements.

• Assists in establishing review criteria and standards for measuring and monitoring activities and ensuring compliance with hospital, Joint Commission and regulatory agencies' requirements consistent with patient/environmental care policies, procedures, patient care standards of practices and demonstrated competencies and with consideration given to risk management, infection control and patient safety practices.
• Performs concurrent review to identify, investigate and report:
  • unexpected outcomes
  • risk management or unusual/sentinel events
  • infection control information
  • variations from expected criteria
• Reviews laboratory reports and communicates possible communicable disease issues/problems with affected areas of the hospital.
• Recognizes serious infection control hazards on patient floors and initiates appropriate preventive measures with nursing/medical staff.
• Prepares summary reports, analysis of findings, recommends interventions and assists in follow-up as needed.
• Responds to emergency situations as required.
• Utilizes analytical skills and statistical analysis to aggregate data to assist with the identification of potential problems and patterns, trends, establish priorities and make recommendations for improvement activities to include risk assessment, prevention and control strategies. Ensures compliance with standards of practice and Joint Commission/regulatory requirements. Assists in implementation of corrective action for non-compliance.

Serves as a resource and works collaboratively with the nursing/medical staff, occupational health, hospital personnel and other infection control practitioners and external agencies in compliance with Regional One Health’s’ Premier Behaviors promoting patient/customer satisfaction to coordinate and implement activities; obtain information; answer inquiries and resolve operational programs; communicate and interpret policies, procedures and standards of practices to promote an understanding of infection control and epidemiology guidelines and provide quality services.

Assists with the development and conducts infection control education regarding infection risk and intervention. Conducts in-services, training and orientation programs to staff/physicians/students:

A thorough completion of this section is needed for compliance with legal standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Physical Demand

N/A

Rarely

Occasionally

Frequently

Constantly

Weight

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Lifting

X

Carrying

X

Pushing

X

Pulling

X

Climbing

X

Balancing

X

Stooping

X

Education

Education Level

Education Details

Required/ Preferred

Bachelor's Degree

in Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology, Clinical Laboratory Science or Medical Technology

Required