Infection Preventionist

Reports to the Director of Infection Prevention. Performs a variety of surveillance, administrative and educational activities. Ensures compliance with infection control policies and procedures and external legal regulations. Identifies infection prevention problems, documents and recommends corrective actions.
**MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS**:

- **MISSION**: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
- **VALUES**: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
- **SERVICE GOALS**: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

**Performs a variety of surveillance, administrative and educational activities by**:

- Making surveillance rounds to nursing units and assisting with Infection Prevention problems, identifying of healthcare associated infections and non-cultured infections and completing special studies.
- Collecting and preparing analytical data for the Infection Control Committee; making recommendations and carrying out re-evaluation of problems identified, as indicated.
- Communicating and providing feedback on data collected to all departments involving physicians, administration, nursing staff, the Infection Control Committee, and managers.
- Conferring with physicians, nurses, bacteriology laboratory, South Bend Medical Foundation, and others concerning implementation of infection control policies and procedures, identification and isolation of infections, etc.
- Assisting in the development of performance improvement initiatives and studies; monitoring their progress.
- Reviewing departmental policies and procedures relating to infection prevention with department heads and/or representatives, hospital-wide infection prevention policies and procedures and infection prevention plan on an annual or triennial basis.
- Referring employees exposed to communicable/reportable diseases to the Employee Health Nurse, providing Employee Health with a list of those exposed and providing input into the Employee Health Program.
- Conducting or contributing content to formal and informal in-services for patient contact personnel, new employees, orientation and general hospital employees, as indicated.
- Developing aides and materials to be utilized in presentations to nursing staff, patients, and others.
- Actively participating in hospital and county-wide emergency preparedness.

**Supports the management team by**:

- Serving as a liaison and resource person to all departments in matters of Infection Prevention.
- Participating on Hospital committees as designated.
- Completing, submitting and maintaining a variety of records, reports and statistical summaries, as required or requested.

**Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by**:

- Completing other job related assignments and special projects as directed.

**ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Associate complies with the following organizational requirements**:

- Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
- Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
- Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
- Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
- Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
- Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
- Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
- Complies with established organization and department policies.
- Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

**Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way**:

- Leverage innovation everywhere.
- Cultivate human talent.
- Embrace performance improvement.
- Build greatness through accountability.
- Use information to improve and advance.
- Communicate clearly and continuously.

**Education and Experience**
- The knowledge, skills, and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree or Professional Training. CIC certification required or will obtain within 3 years of hire. A minimum of 2 to 5 years of job-related experience is required. RN, BSN with Certification in Infection Control (CIC) strongly preferred; minimum requirements include Bachelor's degree in a related field with 5 years job related experience, supervisory, surveillance and investigation and reporting experience, RN, BSN desirable.

**Knowledge & Skills**
- Requires well-developed knowledge of clinical microbiology, general principles of asepsis, transmission methods of infectious disease, epidemiological process, and CDC Infection C