Infection Preventionist

Overview

The purpose of Infection Preventionist is to promote patient and staff safety through the identification of

sources/risks for infection and developing strategies in the prevention of infections. The Infection

Preventionist is responsible for assisting in the development of the Infection Prevention Program Plan

and implementation of the Plan at the facility level. The Infection Preventionist implements the Infection

Prevention Program Plan by collection, analysis and provision of actionable data regarding healthcare-

associated infections to physicians, staff members, department directors/managers and senior

management and the Infection Control Committee. The Infection Preventionist uses epidemiologic data

to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate infection control practices throughout the hospital and to

educate staff members, patients and their families on measures for prevention of infection. The Infection

Preventionist acts as a resource/consultant within the hospital in regard to all matters that relate to the

prevention and control of infections including: outbreak investigation; isolation precautions;

implementation of evidence-based measures for prevention of infection; review of patient care products

proposed for purchase; review of construction and renovation projects with regard to infection prevention;

development of infection prevention policies and procedures. The Infection Preventionist ensures that the

hospital is in compliance with the recommendations and regulations of governmental agencies and

regulatory authorities with regard to infection prevention.

Responsibilities

Essential Accountabilities Include:- Provide direction and oversight for the activities of the local facility staff. - Lead and facilitate setting of facility level goals and objectives- Develop and implement a facility wide Infection Prevention Program.- Coordinate and implement surveillance methods to monitor nosocomial infection rates in conjunction with the Infection Prevention Committee.- Collaborate with Employee Health to provide preventive health and wellness related services to employees.- Facilitate the establishment and bi-annual review of departmental written Infection Prevention policies and procedures and annual review of the Infection Prevention Manual.- Coordinate Infection Prevention education in collaboration with Nursing Education, Department Directors, and Human Resources and act as a consultant to all clinical areas for Infection Prevention issues.-Report to Regional and/or System Director of Infection Prevention - Enhance personal and professional growth and development through participation in professional meetings, educational programs, in-services, workshops, review of current literature, and membership in the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.- Serve as administrative chair of the Infection Control Committee and facilitate related sub-committees. Assure representation on other hospital committees including but not limited to Patient Safety, Environment of Care, Product Evaluation, BSI, VAP, Nurse Liaison, ICN, CT Surgery, and Critical Care.- Interpret and implement the Infection Control standards of care recommended by governmental and accrediting agencies including assisting the Kentucky Department of Health in communicable disease surveillance.- Use effective interpersonal skills in all interactions and perform duties and exhibit behaviors consistent with care philosophy of ARH.- Provide oversight and ensure collection and reporting of hospital acquired infection data as required by law and other regulations.- Maintain and validate all data for accuracy and database reliability.- Meet all internal and external reporting requirement timeframes.- Facilitate collaborative teams, develop and implement action plans to improve and sustain a decrease in hospital acquired infections.

Qualifications

EducationBachelor’s Degree and current license required in the field of Nursingor Bachelor’s Degree and current ASCP certification required in the field of Clinical Laboratory ScienceorAssociate Degree in a related field with experience working in Infection Prevention.CIC(CBIC) Certification in Infection Prevention preferred.

Minimum Work Experience5 years of experience in a related healthcare field

Required Skills, Knowledge, and AbilitiesEffective written and oral communication to all levels of employeesAbility to analyze, interpret and present complex epidemiologic and statistical dataDemonstrate effective leadership