INFECTION, PREVENTION AND CONTROL CLINICIAN

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for carrying out activities that contribute to the prevention and control of infections in patients and employees.# These activities include, surveillance and investigation of hospital acquired infections, education of staff, monitoring policy/procedure implementation, informing departments of current regulations and recommended practices, participating in Quality Improvement activities, and serving as a resource/liaison person concerning any infection control issues.# Reports to Vice President of Quality and Safety. ################## EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Bachelor#s Degree is required or graduate from a college with a major concentration in Microbiology, Laboratory Science or Registered Nurse.# A Masters Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology is desirable. Certification in Infection Control is preferred; required after 2 years in position. EXPERIENCE: A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a related health field in a hospital or other acute care health center is required as well as personal computer skills as needed to perform job duties.# Most specifically, knowledge in the use of internet search capability and Microsoft Word and Outlook. COMPETENCIES: A working knowledge of hospital asepsis, patient care practices, sterilization, sanitation, disinfection practice, clinical microbiology and infectious diseases and epidemiological principles is required.# Must understand commonly used statistics, surveillance methodology, how to complete a study/audit and adult education principles. ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.# They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position.# These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time. # Job-Specific Competency 1.##### Provides an active Infection Control Program for the prevention, control and investigation of infections and communicable diseases. 2.##### Plans, develops, directs, implements and evaluates Infection Prevention and Control activities within the hospital and satellite locations. 3.##### Incorporates clinical research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice to improve the quality of healthcare. 4.##### Conducts surveillance rounds in hospital departments and satellite units to discuss, monitor and follow the practice of infection control with staff. Reviews Micro-Biology reports daily.# 5.##### Develops and maintains a system for identifying, reporting, investigating and controlling infection and communicable diseases of patients and employees. 6.##### Collects, monitors, and maintains records and data pertinent to infection control surveillance via computer supports.# Reports data to regulatory agencies as required. 7.##### Performs Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) surveillance by systematically collecting, analyzing and disseminating data to providers to drive improved performance.# 8.##### Recognizes and investigates clusters and risk factors for infection and implements appropriate control measures. 9.##### Reviews sterilization and disinfection techniques and recommends change as needed. 10.# Provides ongoing infection control education and training to staff.# Participates in new staff orientation. 11.# Assists with community wide pandemic flu planning, suspect disease outbreaks, clusters and disseminating disease advisories. 12.# Develops, implements and revises policies and procedures governing control of infections and communicable diseases based on current laws, regulations and accepted standards in conjunction with the Infection Control Council. 13.# Participates in performance improvement projects related to communicable diseases and emerging pathogens within the facility.# Participates in hospital committees as needed, including emergency preparedness committee. 14.# Participates in environmental and safety rounds. #Monitors construction/ renovation sites to assure compliance with infection control standards. 15.# Manages and oversees the system exposure program.# Investigates possible communicable disease exposures among healthcare workers, patients and/or visitors.# Provides counseling to employees on an individual basis in Infection control and infectious disease related issues. 16.# Provides education and consultation regarding infection control issues to members of the community as requested or required. 17.# Prepares, organizes and distributes information to be presented to and resulting from infection control committee. 18.# Reports surveillance, investigations and projects to appropriate committees, administration staff and directors/supervisors/managers.# Acts as a department liaison for infection control and as a consultant for the facility to integrate infection control activities. 19.# Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function in stressful situations.# Utilizes critical thinking skills and sound judgment in priority setting and delegation. #

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for carrying out activities that contribute to the prevention and control of infections in patients and employees. These activities include, surveillance and investigation of hospital acquired infections, education of staff, monitoring policy/procedure implementation, informing departments of current regulations and recommended practices, participating in Quality Improvement activities, and serving as a resource/liaison person concerning any infection control issues. Reports to Vice President of Quality and Safety.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

* Bachelor's Degree is required or graduate from a college with a major concentration in Microbiology, Laboratory Science or Registered Nurse.
* A Masters Degree in Public Health or Epidemiology is desirable.
* Certification in Infection Control is preferred; required after 2 years in position.

EXPERIENCE:

* A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a related health field in a hospital or other acute care health center is required as well as personal computer skills as needed to perform job duties.
* Most specifically, knowledge in the use of internet search capability and Microsoft Word and Outlook.

COMPETENCIES:

* A working knowledge of hospital asepsis, patient care practices, sterilization, sanitation, disinfection practice, clinical microbiology and infectious diseases and epidemiological principles is required.
* Must understand commonly used statistics, surveillance methodology, how to complete a study/audit and adult education principles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Disclaimer: Job descriptions are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. They are intended to be accurate reflections of the principal duties and responsibilities of this position. These responsibilities and competencies listed below may change from time to time.

Job-Specific Competency

1. Provides an active Infection Control Program for the prevention, control and investigation of infections and communicable diseases.

2. Plans, develops, directs, implements and evaluates Infection Prevention and Control activities within the hospital and satellite locations.

3. Incorporates clinical research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice to improve the quality of healthcare.

4. Conducts surveillance rounds in hospital departments and satellite units to discuss, monitor and follow the practice of infection control with staff. Reviews Micro-Biology reports daily.

5. Develops and maintains a system for identifying, reporting, investigating and controlling infection and communicable diseases of patients and employees.

6. Collects, monitors, and maintains records and data pertinent to infection control surveillance via computer supports. Reports data to regulatory agencies as required.

7. Performs Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) surveillance by systematically collecting, analyzing and disseminating data to providers to drive improved performance.

8. Recognizes and investigates clusters and risk factors for infection and implements appropriate control measures.

9. Reviews sterilization and disinfection techniques and recommends change as needed.

10. Provides ongoing infection control education and training to staff. Participates in new staff orientation.

11. Assists with community wide pandemic flu planning, suspect disease outbreaks, clusters and disseminating disease advisories.

12. Develops, implements and revises policies and procedures governing control of infections and communicable diseases based on current laws, regulations and accepted standards in conjunction with the Infection Control Council.

13. Participates in performance improvement projects related to communicable diseases and emerging pathogens within the facility. Participates in hospital committees as needed, including emergency preparedness committee.

14. Participates in environmental and safety rounds. Monitors construction/ renovation sites to assure compliance with infection control standards.

15. Manages and oversees the system exposure program. Investigates possible communicable disease exposures among healthcare workers, patients and/or visitors. Provides counseling to employees on an individual basis in Infection control and infectious disease related issues.

16. Provides education and consultation regarding infection control issues to members of the community as requested or required.

17. Prepares, organizes and distributes information to be presented to and resulting from infection control committee.

18. Reports surveillance, investigations and projects to appropriate committees, administration staff and directors/supervisors/managers. Acts as a department liaison for infection control and as a consultant for the facility to integrate infection control activities.

19. Demonstrates the ability to be flexible, organized and function in stressful situations. Utilizes critical thinking skills and sound judgment in priority setting and delegation.

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