Infection Preventionist - Infection Control

Lakeland Regional Health is a leading medical center located in Central Florida. With a legacy spanning over a century, we have been dedicated to serving our community with excellence in healthcare. As the only Level 2 Trauma center for Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties, and the second busiest Emergency Department in the US, we are committed to providing high-quality care to our diverse patient population. Our facility is licensed for 910 beds and handles over 200,000 emergency room visits annually, along with 49,000 inpatient admissions, 21,000 surgical cases, 4,000 births, and 101,000 outpatient visits.

Lakeland Regional Health is currently seeking motivated individuals to join our team in various entry-level positions. Whether you're starting your career in healthcare or seeking new opportunities to make a difference, we have roles available across our primary and specialty clinics, urgent care centers, and upcoming standalone Emergency Department. With over 7,000 employees, Lakeland Regional Health offers a supportive work environment where you can thrive and grow professionally.

Active - Benefit Eligible and Accrues Time Off

Responsible to the Manager of Infection Prevention and Control and works within the Infection Prevention and Control scope of services. Role involves daily collaboration with members of the health care team in order to prevent and/or reduce the risk of infection within the hospital and associated clinics. Trained in hospital epidemiology principles and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, interpretation and reporting of infections, both hospital and community acquired; educating staff about infection prevention; and the development of procedures to ensure rigorous infection prevention and control standards that meet The Joint Commission (TJC), Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other nationally organized agencies recommendations and requirements.

• Fosters an inclusive and engaged environment through teamwork and collaboration.
• Ensures patients and families have the best possible experiences across the continuum of care.
• Communicates appropriately with patients, families, team members, and our community in a manner that treasures all people as uniquely created.

• Behaves in a mindful manner focused on self, patient, visitor, and team safety.
• Demonstrates accountability and commitment to quality work.
• Participates actively in process improvement and adoption of standard work.

• Demonstrates responsible use of LRH's resources including people, finances, equipment and facilities.
• Knows and adheres to organizational and department policies and procedures.

People At The Heart Of All We Do

• Fosters an inclusive and engaged environment through teamwork and collaboration.
• Ensures patients and families have the best possible experiences across the continuum of care.
• Communicates appropriately with patients, families, team members, and our community in a manner that treasures all people as uniquely created.
• Safety And Performance Improvement
  • Behaves in a mindful manner focused on self, patient, visitor, and team safety.
  • Demonstrates accountability and commitment to quality work.
  • Participates actively in process improvement and adoption of standard work.
  • Stewardship
  • Demonstrates responsible use of LRH's resources including people, finances, equipment and facilities.
  • Knows and adheres to organizational and department policies and procedures.
  • Standard Work Duties: Infection Preventionist
  • Conducts surveillance; utilizes basic methodology to identify and confirm presence of infection or risk thereof; requires oversight with on-going surveillance and the application of Center of Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria, documentation, and investigation of nosocomial infections through review of admission diagnoses, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, patient records, consultation requests, post-discharge surveillance, and autopsy findings.
  • Conducts environment of care rounds in inpatient and outpatient care areas
  • Performs chart review, data abstraction and data collection as indicated
  • Participates in quality/performance improvement activities by developing Infection Prevention initiatives and collaborating with Clinical Quality.
  • Maintains compliance with national standards and regulating bodies such as TJC, AHCA, CDC, Department of Health and reports data to the regulatory agencies as required
  • Participates in continuing educational activities at the department, state, and national levels to promote personal growth and maintain a current knowledge base commensurate with latest research and scholarly knowledge.
  • Develops and updates isolation techniques and procedures in accordance with current standards of practice, rules and regulations.
  • Maintains a knowledge base of current infection prevention and control information through peer networking. Internet access, published literature and professional meetings.
  • Participates in maintaining policies and procedures which provide a program of prevention relating to exposure to infectious diseases, hospital associated infections and cross-contamination.
  
  

Essential:

• Strongly clinical, consultation, organizational and excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Must understand the importance of and maintain confidentiality of patient information.
• Effective and clear communication skills; both verbally and in writing.
• Certified in Infection Prevention within 3 years of hire

Essential:

• Bachelor Degree

• Master Degree

Essential:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or Clinic Lab Scientist.

Essential:

• Basic Cardiac Life Support

Other information:
Experience Essential: Three to five years of hospital related experience
Experience Preferred: Three to five years of infection prevention related experience
Certification Essential: Certification in Infection Control (CIC) within 3 years of hire
Certification Preferred: Certification in Infection Prevention and Control at hire
Licenses Essential: RN or Licensed Clinical Laboratory Technologist