JOB SUMMARY:

• The Infection Preventionist/ Infection Prevention Nurse participates in the development and implementation of the infection prevention program. This individual is involved in the education of health care providers and staff, consultation with leadership and hospital staff regarding infection prevention issues, and communication and implementation of evidence-based infection prevention practices. The Infection Preventionist/ Infection Prevention Nurse supports infection prevention improvement projects across the hospital, working in conjunction with physicians, department directors and hospital staff. The Infection Preventionist/ Infection Prevention Nurse collects, analyzes, and reports data on healthcare associated infections, performance improvement and patient safety. The Infection Preventionist/ Infection Prevention Nurse is responsible for reporting all health care associated infections within the hospital as required by regulatory agencies (e.g., DHS, CDPH, Cal-OSHA, Center of Medicare, and Medicaid, etc.) and plays a vital role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Exempt position

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Registered Nurse with at least five (5) years of acute-care clinical experience and has worked on performance improvement projects related to infection prevention and control preferred.
• At least two (2) years of experience as an infection preventionist in a hospital setting or completion of the EPI® Education Series (EPI 101 and 102): The Fundamentals of Infection Surveillance and Control from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) within the first 2 years of hire.
• Experience with electronic medical record systems (Paragon, Theradoc, Meditech, Epic, RL Datix etc...) and data management reporting.
• Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Proficiency in using computer software for data analysis and presentation such as Microsoft Office applications.
• Proficiency in Windows and Google applications, and analytics skills.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, to educate and train staff on infection prevention practices.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and influence positive change.
• Detail oriented and can interpret and analyze complex data related to infection rates and trends.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

LICENSURES/CERTIFICATION:

• Valid and active license as a Registered Nurse issued by the California State Board of Nursing or compact state.
• CIC Certification by the national Certification Board for Infection Prevention and Epidemiology (CBIC) preferred
• For Nurses without IP experience: Must successfully complete the EPI® Education Series (EPI 101 and 102): The Fundamentals of Infection Surveillance and Control from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) within the first two years of hire with the completion of EPI 101 during the first year of hire.
• Must complete the annual requirement of at least 5 Infection Prevention Units (IPU) related to infection prevention surveillance; cleaning, disinfection and sterilization and healthcare acquired infection (HAI) prevention.
• Must successfully complete and maintain LA City Fire Card certification at the time of hire or within the first 30 days of employment

MUST HAVES:

• All required licensures, certifications, mandatory education; along with annual occupational health screenings must be completed prior to the expiration date or by the end of the month in which they are due. Reference the Educational Requirements: Must Haves, Mandatory and Unit Based policy (in electronic policy management system) for the specific requirements for this position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ( These are the essential job functions for this position. The essential functions of this job include but may not be limited to those listed in this job description. Employees hired for this position must be able to perform the essential function of this job without imposing significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others) :

• Assist in the development, revision and implementation of infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and protocols in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as professional standards.
• Conducts regular assessments of infection risks and implements strategies to prevent and control infections.

•Monitors compliance with established infection prevention standards (CMS, DNV, APIC, DHS, CDPH, Cal-OSHA et. al).

• Collaborate with healthcare providers, clinical staff, and administrators to ensure adherence to infection prevention guidelines and practices.
• Reviews microbiology laboratory reports daily and identifies reportable diseases according to state and county regulations.
• Serves as liaison with local public health departments for required reportable diseases and ensures timely reporting as mandated.
• Identifies HAIs according to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance definitions.
• Investigates any suspected and confirmed HAIs and reports to appropriate authorities including NHSN timely.
• Stays informed about emerging infectious diseases, outbreaks, and public health advisories, and assist in the development of strategies to mitigate their impact on the healthcare facility.
• Serves as the infection prevention and control resource for multiple hospital departments and outpatient clinics.
• Demonstrates ability to develop and present educational programs effectively and communicates in a clear, concise, and timely manner.
• Coaches and educates the clinical staff in the development of sound clinical judgment pertaining to the prevention of disease transmission and control promote positive patient outcomes.
• Coordinates and conducts environmental surveillance to evaluate patient care environment for compliance to infection prevention and control policies and procedures and safety.
• Maintains accurate records and documentation related to infection prevention activities and incidents.
• Communicates with all IP departmental staff and contributes to an amiable workplace environment.
• Serves and participates as a member of assigned infection prevention related committees, including Environment of Care and Infection Prevention and Control Committees and participates in process improvement activities.
• Collaborates with the Occupational Health Department to develop and implement strategies for preventing and managing exposure incidents, such as needlestick injuries and bloodborne pathogens.
• Coordinates exposure follow up for patients and healthcare workers in collaboration with Occupational Health.

•Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory continuing education and skills competency.

•Role models the infection prevention standards and patient advocacy behaviors.

•Accepts other duties as assigned.

The following job accountabilities are not unique to this particular job but are common to all jobs at VPH:

• Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence.Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large.Conducts self in a professional, respectful and courteous manner during all interactions.Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.
• Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members.Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.
• Participates in operational aspects of the department and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department.
• Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).
• Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices.Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the workplace.Maintains a safe environment for self and others.
• Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting.Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes.Participates in education activities and process implementation.Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers and visitors.
• The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job. They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

•Primarily an inside building/office environment, well lighted and ventilated, which may consist of multiple treatment and/or work sites.

•Fast and continuous work pace with variable workload.

•Frequent contact with staff and public under a variety of circumstances.Requires ability to communicate clearly (in English) verbally and in writing for effective communication with other staff members, physicians, vendors, community members, patients and patient families, employees and applicants of all socio-economic levels from a diverse cultural and ethnic population.

•Subject to many interruptions from multiple calls and inquiries and potentially emotional situations involving accidents, injuries, illness and/or death.

•Handles emergency/crisis situations in accordance with Hospital policy.

•Answers phones or pages; may carry a beeper/pager, and/or use a two-way radio.

•Occasional travel may be required.

•Potential risk of exposure to hazards from chemicals (toxic and non-toxic), flammable materials, gas or electrical or radiant energy or equipment with/without moving parts.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Key for Physical Demands
Continuous
66 to 100% of the time
Frequent
33 to 65% of the time
Occasional
0 to 32% of the time
*Frequent/continuous sitting with occasional, intermittent standing/walking.

*Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and chest level.

*Occasional/intermittent reaching at or above shoulder level.

*Occasional/intermittent bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting and climbing.

*Occasional/intermittent lifting and carrying objects/equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

*Continuous use of near vision, hearing and verbal communication skills in handling telephone calls, interacting with customers and co-workers and performing job duties.
Salary Range (DOE): $55.34-$66.91hr