Infection Preventionist, RN

Purpose/Description- Responsible for the development and implementation of the facility-wide infection prevention and control programs.
Sets standards and evaluates compliance for practices that are associated with the prevention and control of health care associated infections (HAI).
These responsibilities include, but are not limited to: surveillance, analysis, reporting, recording and process improvement activities.
Requirements Education and Experience- Education: 3 years of experience required.
Knowledge of epidemiological principles, infectious disease, sterilization, sanitation, and disinfection management.
Demonstration of exceptional analytical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Certification- Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) preferred.
Ability to obtain within 1 year of hire required.
Licensed in Oregon as a Registered Nurse.
Duties and Responsibilities- Essential Duties: Develops and maintains a standardized system for identifying, reporting, investigating and controlling infections and communicable diseases of patients and staff specific for each facility.
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the infection control process in the healthcare setting for three facilities.
Assists in the development, implementation and improvement of infection prevention and control practices specific to each facility.
Develops and implements policies governing the prevention and control of infections and communicable diseases specific to each facility.
Completes required CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network reports in a timely and accurate manner for each facility.
Develops, reviews and/or revises and implements all department policies and procedures related to the control of infections and communicable diseases on a concurrent basis.
Demonstrates knowledge of risk stratified statistics as applicable to trending healthcare associated infections (HAIs).
Designs and implements new methods to improve the efficacy and outcomes of the Infection Prevention and Control Program specific to each facility.
In coordination with the Infection Prevention and Control Committee, measures and evaluates the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention and Control Program at each facility.
Demonstrates knowledge of microbiology and modes of transmission of diseases entities.
Demonstrates understanding of Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions as set forth by the CDC.
Demonstrates ability to teach principles and practical application of infection prevention and control to all levels of healthcare staff at each facility.
Is a consultant to nursing and medical staff.
Develops and implements a system for identifying, investigating, reporting and preventing the spread of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) among patients of all ages healthcare staff at each facility.
Initiates culture and sensitivity and/or appropriate Transmission-Based Precautions (isolation precautions) when indicated at each facility.
Reviews cultures and sensitivities reported by microbiology laboratory of patients and staff to determine if infection is healthcare associated in origin at each facility.
Confers with staff nurses on all patient care units in each facility on a regular basis to determine occurrence of healthcare associated infections (HAIs).
Confers with medical and nursing staff to determine appropriate implementation of Transmission-Based Precautions (isolation precautions) specific to each facility.
Investigates infections, especially those occurring above established thresholds, and/or in clusters by patient care units at each facility.
Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality at each facility.
Has input into the Employee Health Program and assists with follow-up accidental exposure incidents.
Ensures Employee Health records are standardized and maintained at each facility.
Communicates appropriate reports to Performance Improvement through the Infection Prevention and Control Committee at each facility.
Assists with and standardizes in-service education related to infection prevention and control throughout each organization.
Completes required CMR reports to Public Health Department in a timely and accurate manner for each facility.
Maintains a log of incidents related to infections and communicable diseases, including healthcare associated infections (HAIs) and infections identified through Employee Health for each facility.
Monitors proper use (manufacturers’ instructions) of germicides, cleaning products, antiseptics and disinfectants in use throughout each facility.
Monitors methods of asepsis, sterilization and disinfection employed throughout each organization.
Communicates infection prevention and control activities to administration, Performance Improvement Committee, the medical staff and MEC via the Infection Prevention and Control Committee minutes and/or Infection Prevention and Control Committee Chairperson at each facility.
Prepares statistics and other pertinent data and reports to the Infection Prevention and Control Committee regularly for each facility.
Implements and conducts special studies, applicable to all facilities, when appropriate or requested by the Infection Prevention and Control Committee Chairperson.
Based on studies which identify areas for improved patient outcomes, submits targeted surveillance indicators for Infection Prevention and Control Committee approval on an annual basis at each facility.
Available by office phone, cell phone or in person to assist all organizations regarding issues related to infection prevention and control.
Maintains qualifications through ongoing education and training, i.
e.
, participation in infection prevention and control courses and infection control professional societies.
Stays abreast of changing infection prevention and control practices and presents plan for organizational compliance in a timely manner.
Designs and implements new methods to improve the efficacy and outcomes of the Infection Prevention and Control Program at each facility.
Establishes effective interpersonal relationships with physicians, nurses and all other members of the healthcare team.
Communicates in a manner that conveys mutual understanding and respect.
Initiates duties, appropriate measures and sets priorities independently for each facility.
Coquille Valley Hospital provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
In addition to federal law requirements, Coquille Valley Hospital complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Coquille Valley Hospital expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
Improper interference with the ability of Coquille Valley Hospital’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.