Infection Preventionist

Job Description

Nemours is seeking an Infection Preventionist to join our Nemours Children's Health team in Wilmington, Delaware.

The primary function of the Infection Preventionist (IP) will be to work as a team member of the Infection Control Department. The Infection Preventionist (IP) coordinates the daily activities that promote the prevention, detection, and control of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) in both inpatient and ambulatory settings. The IP provides an epidemiologic approach to preventing infections throughout the hospital through problem solving, intervention, and education, while implementing the Infection Control Plan. The IP functions as a consultant, educator, role model, change agent, and researcher in best practices in Infection Prevention and Control. The Infection Prevention and Control department which currently consists of two IPs and a Manager, collaborates with the Quality and Safety Department to implement patient safety initiatives related to infection control principles and policies and participates in process improvement efforts.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary customers of this position will be the patients, associates, medical staff and leadership team of the Nemours Delaware Valley patient care sites, affiliate sites and Nemours Children's Hospital.

• Performs ongoing surveillance for HAIs, including chart reviews, recommends isolation precautions, and evaluates data for potential clusters or outbreaks. Reports HAIs to the Infection Prevention and Control Committee, the National Healthcare Safety Network, and hospital committees, as required. Participates as a leader and content expert on interdisciplinary teams working to decrease HAIs, as and in hospital performance improvement initiatives to prevent HAIs, multi-drug resistant organisms, and infectious disease outbreaks, Serves as a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
• Assists in the development of Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures in accordance with best practices from the CDC/HICPAC, APIC, and other regulatory agencies.
• Participates in departmental and Infection Prevention and Control rounding throughout the hospital and ambulatory locations, assessing compliance with Infection Control standards and policies. Provides just in time feedback, recommendations, and education, as necessary.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for construction related activities, and participates in ICRA assessments, rounding, and planning/development of new units/buildings/departments.
• Acts as a subject matter expert for safety standards for infection prevention, including but not limited to TJC, CMS, state-specific requirements, and CDC recommendations.
• Provides routine education and orientation to associates regarding topics associated with infection prevention and maintains current training and education.
• Demonstrates competence in high-level disinfection and sterilization practices, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory requirements
• Reports to departments of health, as required by state laws, in partnership with the laboratory.
• Performs risk assessments and assists in developing the annual Infection Prevention and Control plan.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree in health sciences, Medical Technology, MT (ASCP) OR Bachelor's Degree/Diploma in Nursing and recognized training Infection Control Required
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is required upon hire or within 18 months of hire
• Minimum three (3) years hospital-based infection prevention and control experience is preferred
• Pediatric experience is preferred
• Strong command of infection control practice in healthcare
• Demonstrated presentation skills
• Demonstrated facilitation skills

About Us

Nemours Children's Health is an internationally recognized children's health system. With more than 1.7 million patient encounters annually, we provide medical care in five states through two freestanding state-of-the-art children's hospitals - Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware and Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida. Our pediatric network includes 80 primary-urgent-and specialty care practices and more than 40 hospitalists serving 19 affiliated hospitals. We generate annual revenues of more than $1.7 billion derived from patient services, contributions from the Alfred I. DuPont Trust, as well as other income.

As one of the nation's premier pediatric health systems, we're on a journey to discover better ways of approaching children's health. Putting as much focus on prevention as cures and working hand in hand with the community to make every child's world a place to thrive. It's a journey that extends beyond our nationally recognized clinical treatment to an entire integrated spectrum of research, advocacy, education, and prevention, leading to the healthiest generations of children ever.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion guide our growth and strategy. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about, and committed to, leading efforts to provide culturally relevant care, reducing health disparities, and helping build a diverse and inclusive environment. All of our associates are expected to ensure that these philosophies are embedded in their day-to-day work with colleagues, patients and families.

To learn more about Nemours Children's and how we go well beyond medicine, visit us at www.nemours.org.

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