Infection Prevention Specialist I

This exempt (salary) position will require in person work during day shift at the Henry Ford Health Detroit Hospital campus.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under minimal supervision, but according to established policies and procedures, assesses, evaluates, and provides for the needs of the professional staff in the areas of infectious disease and infection prevention and control practices. Identifies and investigates problems and trends as well as recommends resolutions for prevention of nosocomial infections for patients, staff and visitors. Continually analyzes and monitors practices, policies and systems as they relate to standards of the infection prevention and control program. Serves as a resource person for nursing and other professional personnel.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interacts and communicates with assigned clinical areas, committees, and designated individuals to coordinate and integrate components of the infection prevention and control program.
• Using surveillance and other data, monitors plans and implements strategies to improve patient care.
• Makes regular rounds of patient care and treatment areas in order to observe clinical practices. Uses techniques of epidemiological and infection prevention and control practices to measure infection risks of assigned areas to patients, employees and visitors.
• Notifies and communicates with appropriate stakeholders regarding patients and/or personnel exposed to infectious or communicable diseases.
• Identifies and reports significant clinical practices that can adversely affect patient outcomes or employee safety to the appropriate infection prevention/quality/safety/operational leadership.
• Serves as a resource to nursing, environmental services, facilities and other professional personnel on infectious diseases, infection prevention, and control related matters, identifying educational needs, techniques, etc. to improve the quality of care and reduce the risks of infection to other patients and personnel.
• Participates in epidemiological and special investigations and research projects.
• Investigates the application of equipment/technologies to be used in Infection Prevention and Control and participates in developing techniques relative to the use of such.
• Provides formal and informal training classes for healthcare workers, which may include but is not limited to:
  • defining infectious diseases and infection control practices
  • supporting orientation of staff
  • demonstrating and presenting proper aseptic technique
  • isolation protocols
  • reinforcing the need for continued high standards of infection prevention and control
• Participates in survey readiness (e.g., CMS and TJC).
• Collaborates with Emergency Preparedness.
• Advances knowledge by attending workshops, lectures, seminars, and educational conferences.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing or other health related field required.
• Master's Degree in Nursing, Public Health or related field preferred.
• Graduate coursework in statistics, clinical microbiology, epidemiology and infection prevention and control preferred.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in healthcare preferred.
• A professional level of knowledge of disease processes, transmission methods of infectious diseases, clinical bacteriology, clinical care practices as they relate to the planning and implementing nursing care plans preferred.
• Basic computer skills including experience with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint), and electronic health records.
• Basic proficiency in medical terminology and a clear understanding of medical confidentiality.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

Working conditions are varied. Exposure to patient care environments when making surveillance rounds and to a normal office environment (with minimal exposure to noise, dust, or extreme temperatures) when evaluating and analyzing data.

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