RN Infection Preventionist

Job Description

Description

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 diverse employees, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.

Summary:

The Infection Preventionist responsibilities and duties for the Infection Prevention and Control Program are required to prevent and control the spread of infections and/or outbreaks. The Infection Preventionist takes measures to prevent and reduce risk for hospital acquired infections (HIA) and track and monitor transmissible diseases and notify local, state, and federal authorities about reportable diseases as required.

Responsibilities:

1.Technical Competencies

· Completes and updates NHSN modules on current HAI definitions.

· Manages data entry into NHSN (for public reporting) and internal leadership reporting.

· Perform surveillance and review/evaluate cases of infections for opportunities in patient care.

· Provide data and recommendations to applicable leadership team and healthcare providers.

· Hand hygiene compliance surveillance and education.

· Track and monitor transmissible diseases and notify local, state, and federal authorities about reportable diseases as required.

· Establish accepted standards and assist to develop, implement, monitor, and revise infection control policies and procedures to assure compliance with the standards.

· Coordinates infection control risk assessments for construction, renovation, or repairs with the project manager.

· Conducts audits of the environment to address any concerns or lapses with infection control practices.

· Assist to coordinate annual Infection Control Risk Assessment for annual planning and disease control.

· Based off annual risk assessment, assist with the develop Infection Control Program plan and sets goals.

2. Independence and Leadership skills

· Independently manages individual work.

· Demonstrates self-direction in area of assigned responsibility.

· Contributes or leads to the development of infection prevention goals and strategies.

· Identifies improvement opportunities and presents ideas to solve problems.

· Actively promotes collaboration and seeks to learn from others.

· Demonstrates ability and willingness to assume greater responsibilities with the organization.

3. Organization and Industry Knowledge

· Stays informed on current NHSN definitions, reviews updates and application of definitions to identify HAI on individual patient chart review.

· Utilizes data from surveillance and research of literature to lead clinicians in implementation of best practices to reduce infections and actively serves on committees relevant to good IC practices.

· Actively participates in quality projects/groups for reduction of HAI.

· Stays current in assessment of entity compliance with best practice recommendations, regulatory agencies and state and federal laws.

· Coordinates data collection, analyzes data, development of action plans and conducts follow-up of implemented action plans to determine further actions if necessary.

4. Accountability

· Accepts responsibility for actions and decisions.

· Acknowledges and corrects own mistakes.

· Follows through on assignments, projects, or requests.

· Pays attention to details. Completes work, which is thorough and accomplishes desired results.

· Stays current with best practice standards, guidelines, regulatory standards, and local/state/federal laws.

· Reports mandatory HAI data as required by law

5. High Reliability (Problem Solving Skills)

· Uses problem solving skills to determine underlying root causes of problems.

· Seeks to understand problems before offering solutions.

· Encourages solutions other than ongoing education or committee reporting.

· Participates in clinical rounding or huddles.

6. Communication Skills

· Collaborates in the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs or tools that relate to infection prevention, infection control, and epidemiology during orientation and other training of hospital staff and IC staff.

· Effectively communicates problems with compliance to appropriate leadership.

7. Teamwork

· Serves as resource/consultant in policy & procedure development and review, hospital and unit-based priorities by networking with variety of disciplines and service areas for infection control improvement practices.

· Serves as IC Resource/Expert within individual entity

Experience:

· Leadership qualities, e.g., maturity, job knowledge, professionalism, communication skills, etc. to lead, guide and motivate others.

· Ability to work independently and to manage multiple priorities.

· Ability to work under pressure.

· Excellent decision-making skills.

· Ability to effectively speak in public to small and large audiences.

· Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

· Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English. · Ability to travel to work or attend meetings in various work locations

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Education

*Associate degree Nursing or Allied Health

*Completed post-secondary education in a health-related field including but not limited to laboratory technology or public health. Post-secondary includes public or private universities, colleges, community colleges, etc. 

*Bachelor of Nursing preferred or Allied Health or Public Health

· RN or MT(ASCP)/MLS(ASCP) required for nursing and/or clinical laboratory professionals.

· 1 or more years’ experience in healthcare setting.

· A minimum experience of one or more years in related field of nursing, public health or laboratory technology is required

· Certification in Infection Control or within 3 years of hire and recertified every 5 years

· Licensure in applicable field

· Current license to practice in the State of North Carolina

Job Details

Legal Employer: Nash Hospitals

Entity: Nash UNC Health Care

Organization Unit: NGH Infection Control

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: NASH HC

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes