Infection Preventionist

Description:
*This role supports Piedmont Augusta*

JOB PURPOSE:
Based on the recommendations of the medical staff leadership and nursing leadership, this individual is appointed to be responsible for leading and driving safety and quality performance improvement initiatives to provide ongoing education, to address trends and deficiencies in Infection Prevention (IP) practices as identified by the IP Surveillance and Analysis team and set by Piedmont Healthcare QSS. Promotes a culture of continuous improvement in the reduction of infections through use of Lean methodology, coaching, tools, data analysis, reliability, sustainability and spread. Manages and supports a portfolio of strategic projects using the performance improvement model. Ensures all performance improvement activities are in compliance with regulatory and accreditation bodies. Assists in annual evaluations of infection prevention practices in Piedmont owned physician office practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Acts as subject matter expert and resource to entities regarding infection prevention and control measures, including identification of infectious disease processes.
2. Performs healthcare associated infections surveillance through collection, review, analysis and interpretation of data from various sources.
3. Implements and ensures compliance of Infection Prevention policies, procedures, and guidelines (i.e. Hand Hygiene throughout Piedmont Healthcare.
4. Identifies issues of epidemiological/infection prevention and control significance and follow-up with appropriate internal (leadership teams) and external departments (DPH).
5. Applies an epidemiological approach to problem solving in leading improvement teams and delivers guidance for the implementation of Evidence Based Medicine in quality initiatives.
6. Provides consultation and expertise including prevention and control of the transmission of infectious disease, management of isolation patients, PPE usage, safe injection practices, disinfection, sterilization, environmental cleaning, facilities management (maintenance, renovation and construction), water management, evaluation of new products, such as hand sanitizer.
7. Maintains currency with CMS guidelines, hospital accreditation, and public health as it relates to infection prevention. Participates in hospital associated regulatory visits, as appropriate.
8. Subject matter expert to assist with annual continuous readiness assessment evaluations of infection prevention practices in Piedmont owned physician office practices.
9. Is knowledgeable of blood-borne pathogens and OSHA standards, exposure control plan.
10. Participates with plant operations, engineering, and construction when completing Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs) for project with hospitals and Piedmont owned physician office practices, as appropriate.
11. Collaborates with employee health and safety to ensure best practice for employee health related issues including exposures.
12. Educates, advises and consults with physicians, nurses, and healthcare personnel concerning infection prevention practices and delivers prepared staff education programs, including hospital orientations an in-services.
13. Provides patient and family education and assists other healthcare personnel to carry out such teachings as requested by clinical team.
14. Communicates effectively with executive and leadership teams at entities/provider offices, and outside agencies regarding infection prevention practices.
15. Work with operational leaders to identify root causes and trends among healthcare associated infections.
16. Leads quarterly Infection Prevention Committee Meetings and communicates data and opportunities to appropriate staff at local entities.
17. Determines opportunities for improvement based on data analysis including activities to decrease healthcare associate infections and improve patient outcomes.
18. Works collaboratively with infectious disease physician(s) and/or assigned Chair of Infection Prevention Committee.
19. Leads in the development and implementation of the entity specific annual infection control plan and risk assessment.
20. Assists and supports on infection prevention related education, projects, and presentation activities.
21. Participates in on-call and coverage assignments which may include surveillance and analysis activities.

Qualifications:
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED:
Graduate of a Nursing program with a current license in the State of Georgia as a Registered Nurse or NLC/eNLC Multistate License
OR
Bachelors degree in Medical Technology
OR
Masters degree in Microbiology, Public Heath, Biology, Epidemiology, or other related science field.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Four (4) years of previous work experience in a hospital setting, clinical quality, or performance improvement, preferably in infection prevention OR two (2) years of previous work experience with a Masters degree.

MINIMUM LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED BY LAW:
If the degree is in nursing, a current license in the State of Georgia as a Registered Nurse or NLC/eNLC Multistate License is required.
OR
If a certified Medical Technologist, the certification must be from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), AMT (American Medical Technologists) or AAB (American Association of Bioanalysts) according to the qualifications through the State of Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility, Clinical Laboratory regulations.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Certification in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC), Lean, QPI preferred.