Department/Unit:
Epidemiology
Work Shift:
Day (United States of America)
The Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for providing high level guidance to department managers, directors, medical staff and employees in the prevention and control of infections within Albany Medical Center utilizing clinical expertise and nationally recognized infection prevention and control standards. The individual is also responsible for assuring that the infection prevention and control program is maintained throughout the center as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Joint Commission (TJC), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and other professional societies and for providing education in infection prevention and control standards of practice. This position has a significant impact on the organization by supporting clinical and administrative department managers, directors and medical staff in preventing and control of infections in patients, visitors and healthcare workers.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• In conjunction with administration, recommends and institutes appropriate emergency or urgent control measures in any situation in which there are imminent dangers to patients, visitors, or employees from infectious agents.
• Provides infection control coverage to areas that have more acute infection and prevention needs including PICU, NICU, CPS, CCU, Vascular ICU, MSICU, Sterile Processing Department, Endoscopy, Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, BSL 3 Lab and ARF. Rounds periodically in assigned areas to assess compliance infection prevention and control practices, environment of care issues, regulatory compliance and educational needs. Works with managers and directors for improvements as needed, remediation and/or coordination of educational programs.
• Applies more advanced knowledge and performs more complex surgical site infection surveillance.
• Demonstrates the ability to conduct multi-unit outbreak investigations or outbreaks caused by epidemiologically significant organisms. Identifies the outbreak situation, develops a case definition, a line listing and an epi curve. Guides managers, directors and medical staff on interventions to reduce cases and eliminate the outbreak. Reports and communicates with appropriate internal, public and regulatory agencies. Monitors interventions for effectiveness. Develops report of outbreak and reports to the Infection Control Committee and the appropriate quality improvement teams/services.
• Participates as a member of the Clinical Value Analysis Team (CVAT) and provides infection prevention and control expertise to the leader and members. Makes recommendations for products that will prevent or reduce infections. Assists with coordination of product trials. As needed develops a cost-benefit analysis. Communicates and assists with coordination of product implementation.
• Assures that product recalls as a result of a possible infectious risk are conducted efficiently and effectively. Assesses product recall notices to determine extent of problem and potential infectious risks. Assures communication to involved parties and appropriate administrative staff including physicians, patient relations, Medical Director, Chief Nursing Officer, etc. if patients were exposed. Assists with a patient notification and follow up instructions as needed. Supports efforts to remove affected product. Reviews final reports to ensure all required information is documented. Ensures the final report is presented to the Infection Control Committee (ICC) and Safety Committee.
• Coordinates and responds to patient complaints. Responds to Patient Relations and assists as needed in resolution of complaints before a formal complaint is filed. Meets with patients, visitors and managers as needed to assess concerns, implement interventions and provide education when necessary to improve patient safety and satisfaction. Investigates and responds to formal complaints with a written response. Works to improve infection control issues that instigated the complaint. Attends Patient Grievance Committee as requested. Works with regulatory affairs coordinator in resolving complaints filed with NYSDOH
• Coordinates and chairs two of the Infection Control Committee subcommittees; the High Level Disinfection and Sterilization Subcommittee and the Environmental Subcommittee. Charis other subcommittees and appropriate. Reviews membership annually and makes recommendations as needed. Coordinates all aspects of the subcommittees including scheduling, documentation and follow up. Assures all related policies are reviewed and approved by the appropriate subcommittee before submission to the Infection Control Committee. Communicates subcommittees’ recommendations to appropriate department manager/director, medical director and to the Infection Control Committee.
• Coordinates the Legionella prevention program in conjunction with Environmental Health and Safety, Facility Maintenance and the Microbiology Laboratory. Maintains knowledge of various Legionella Prevention Regulations and Guidelines including CDC and NYSDOH. Reviews/revises the Legionella Risk Assessment a minimum of annually. Sets up annual water testing schedule and operationalizes it. Assures all results are documented and reviewed. Calls a Legionella Response Team meeting when water culture results have a positivity rate of > 30%. Makes recommendations and assures implementation of prevention measures in response to the increased positivity rate. Communicates increased risk, interventions and need for patient testing to the managers and physicians of involved clinical areas. Assures all Legionella prevention activities are reported to the Infection Control Committee and the Safety Committee.
• Develops and monitors annual department education plan. Presents plan to department and director for final review. Sets up process for monitoring compliance. Reports non-compliance to the Director. Assures validation and documentation of all educational requirements for the Epidemiology department.
• Coordinates infection prevention and control education with the Center for Learning and Development, the medical college and residency program. Reviews and updates various infection prevention and control educational modules including annual safety education and the New York State mandatory education for certain licensed health care professionals and the annual resident orientation educational module. Develops post-test questions for all modules. Coordinates with the Center for Learning and Development to provide supplemental education when systemic infection control knowledge deficits are identified.
• Performs construction/renovation plan reviews and Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs) on complex or major projects. Assesses plans with engineering and department manager (when applicable) to validate that all infection control needs and issues are reviewed and discussed. Develops and submits to the Facility Managers or Directors a summary of the construction/renovation plan review including any infection prevention and control requirements or recommendations as needed. Prior to construction or renovation, performs an Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) and completes the infection control part of the safe work checklist. Periodically monitors construction/renovation projects in areas that house patient at high risk for Aspergillosis.
• Represents Epidemiology on the Nursing Clinical Practice Council and protocol committee.
• Provide on-call coverage for the Epidemiology department. Responds to infection prevention and control inquiries from a variety of sources including nursing staff, nursing supervisors, physicians, patient care directors, administrator on call, public relations, local and state public health agencies, Environmental Health and Safety, Pharmacy and Facilities. Assesses the situation and determines the best course of events including need for patient isolation, determination of exposures and follow up requirements, determination of case definitions for emerging pathogens such as Ebola, MERS, Measles, etc. and providing guidance to clinical staff for patient management and PPE requirements. Determines the need to report on site and/or escalate to Epidemiology Director, Hospital Epidemiologist and Sr. IP.
• Develops and distributes Epidemiology weekly administrative updates and monthly bullet points.
• Verbalizes understanding of who the primary customers are and what they require. Focuses on customers’ needs, expectations and satisfaction. Relates to people in an open, friendly, and caring manner. Serves customers with respect, tolerance, sensitivity, and consideration for cultural, ethnic, and/or religious beliefs. Uses customer feedback as a basis for taking actions which solve customer problems quickly and effectively. Advocates for patients’ rights and responsibilities.
• Establishes positive, cooperative, and respectful relationships with others at all levels of the organization. Shares information, expertise, resources and ideas. Demonstrates flexibility in work practices, procedures, or processes. Works effectively with others to accomplish tasks and goals. Seeks solutions to problems. Supports group decisions through active participation. Resolves conflict to a positive outcome.
• Incorporates organizational mission, vision, and goals into all aspects of daily practice. Develops plans to meet established goals. Accepts responsibility for achieving established goals. Inspires others by example and influences them to do and be their best. Adheres without compromise to high ethical principles of honest, loyalty, sincerity, and fairness. Demonstrates self-direction and initiative in work practices. Seeks ways for self-improvement. Incorporates feedback and past experience for self-improvement.
• Contributes ideas and suggestions to improve procedures, methods and productivity. Works to continuously improve processes and methods that will better meet and exceed customers’ expectations.
• Identifies methods and approaches to simplify work processes, decrease waste, and increase the quality of services provided. Demonstrates effective time management to promote productivity and cost efficiency. Utilizes resources in a prudent manner.
• Conveys information and ideas clearly and directly. Ensures that communication is understood. Maintains confidentiality by using and communicating information only as needed to perform one’s duties. Identifies situations requiring incident reporting and completes report.
• Complies with all work practices and safety requirements.
• Integrates all regulatory requirements into role and function when delivering service/patient care. Accurately articulates his/her role and the current status of the division/department with regulatory compliance. Actively participates in survey process. Communicates issues that are preventing regulatory compliance to management. Strives to achieve no significant findings/deficiencies within division/department as a result of regulatory compliance survey. Uses AMC intranet to access AMC standards/protocols/guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Medical Technology (MT)*, Public Health or Epidemiology - required
• Two (2) years experience in infection prevention and control - required
• Registered Professional Nurse with 4 years experience in their respective field - required
• RN, MT with Microbiology Laboratory experience or MS in Public Health or Epidemiology - preferred
• Prior management experience - preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Statistical analysis and methodology skills
• Ability to perform the job in adherence to the highest standards of ethical conduct as defined by AMC and the tenets of the profession.
• Shall have more advanced knowledge in infectious disease processes, surveillance, epidemiologic investigations, measures to prevent and control the transmission of infectious agents, infectious agents associated with animals and the environment, policy development and implementation, sterilization and disinfection, bioterrorism and emerging pathogens, program management and communication, education, research, infection control aspects of employee health and national and local infection prevention and control standards and regulations.
• Advanced computer skills required.
• Strong leadership, organizational and customer service skills required. Demonstrates principles of conflict resolution and promote consensus building.
• Ability to lead, teach and be able to collaborate with people with various educational and social backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and organize work with others.
• Ability to develop and promote infection prevention and control and AMC policies, procedures and practices.
• Demonstrates accountability for own performance.
• Demonstrate an interest in professional growth by engaging in further self-education and participation in continuing education programs.
• Ability to interpret the data and make recommendations.
• Ability to problem solve, evaluate projects, employee performance and educational/intervention outcomes.
• Demonstrates advanced reasoning in interdisciplinary and critical problem solving and apply to acute, critical, infection prevention and control issues that have the potential to jeopardize patient, visitor or healthcare worker safety or facility operations.
• CIC - Certified in Infection Control Upon Hire - required

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Physical Demands

• Standing - Constantly
• Walking - Constantly
• Sitting - Rarely
• Lifting - Frequently
• Carrying - Frequently
• Pushing - Occasionally
• Pulling - Occasionally
• Climbing - Occasionally
• Balancing - Occasionally
• Stooping - Frequently
• Kneeling - Frequently
• Crouching - Frequently
• Crawling - Occasionally
• Reaching - Frequently
• Handling - Frequently
• Grasping - Frequently
• Feeling - Constantly
• Talking - Constantly
• Hearing - Constantly
• Repetitive Motions - Constantly
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Constantly

Working Conditions

• Extreme cold - Rarely
• Extreme heat - Rarely
• Humidity - Rarely
• Wet - Rarely
• Noise - Constantly
• Hazards - Frequently
• Temperature Change - Rarely
• Atmospheric Conditions - Rarely
• Vibration - Rarely

Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center!
Albany Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer.
This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that:
Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Medical Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.
Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center!
Albany Medical is an equal opportunity employer.
This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that:
Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Med Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.