Infection Preventionist

Job Description

Stamford Health is looking for an Infection Preventionist to join their team This member would be part of a facility-wide Infection Prevention and control program, which includes the surveillance, prevention, and control of infection. The member would also be a part of the collection, analysis, and reporting of data, the formulation and review of policies and procedures, and the planning, implementation, evaluation, and revision of infection prevention and control practices, as well as conducting outbreak and cluster investigations as indicated. They would engage in employee education programs and collaborate with the Infectious Disease physicians, Microbiologists, and other health care providers regarding infectious or employee health-related issues. The member would need to be knowledgeable about regulatory requirements such as the Joint Commission and CMS, outbreak investigations, and construction and renovation oversight.

This Job Role promotes Patient Safety and Quality outcomes, and is essential to maintaining a safe environment with minimal risks of infections.

• Participates in establishing and maintaining a facility-wide infection prevention and control program, which complies with regulatory guidelines. Collaborates with all disciplines and departments to incorporate infection prevention principles in current policies and procedures or practices to provide and consult on a safe environment for patients, personnel, visitors and volunteers. Acts as a Liaison to the Employee Health department to assist in establishing and promoting effective infection prevention protocols consistent with current practice, for the protection of employees, volunteers, students and other healthcare providers/contractors as indicated.
• Serves as a principle member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee. Collects, analyzes and reports complete, accurate surveillance data. Provides current infection prevention information and coordinates the implementation of the infection prevention program, which includes a system of detecting, reporting, evaluating and documenting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
• Utilizes the infection prevention software for surveillance and works to develop proficiency in its many functions.
• Participates in designing, developing and conducting in-service education programs for the prevention and control of infection for all health care personnel through orientation of new employees and other programs to meet specific departmental continuing education needs. Additionally, assists in providing community education as opportunities are presented.
• Assures the reporting of infections or communicable diseases to the appropriate public health authorities as required, and provides for appropriate isolation practices, coordinated patient management and exposure follow-up. Assists in conducting and coordinating epidemiological investigations of clusters and outbreaks, special studies and exposures to communicable diseases. Also assists in the evaluation of outcomes, and provides follow-up to minimize risks to patients, visitors, employees and volunteers, etc.
• Participates in hospital, statewide, regional and national committees
• Participates in the selection of care products and services, providing advice and information from an infection prevention perspective.
• Serves on hospital/system-wide committees as indicated to provide infection prevention input,and promote safe practices.
• Provides Infection Prevention and Control oversight of outpatient locations
• Participates in the development of performance improvement efforts to promote compliance with standards established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Joint Commission, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and other regulatory agencies; to minimize the risks of exposure to infectious organisms, and to utilize all the precautions necessary to safeguard the healthcare environment.
• Participates with infection prevention projects, surveys and other tasks, such as construction/renovation oversight, environmental monitoring, hand hygiene observations, environmental cleaning validation etc. as indicated
• Monitors for appropriate Disinfection and Sterilization practices in designated locations
• Participates in prevention of Emergent infections program, and training of Front-Line Staff in the proper use of PPE

Qualifications

Education:

• Current RN license in the State of Connecticut with minimum BSN degree.
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) or will attain certification within five years of hire

Experience:

• Three years of experience in an acute care hospital
• Experience in Infection Prevention and Control or willingness to be trained
• Awareness or experience with awareness or experience with NHSN data reporting and analysis
• Joint Commission requirements, OSHA, Department of Public Health, etc.

Other:

• Medical and Microbiological Terminology
• Personal Computer, Microsoft Office
• Effective communication skills and Public Speaking
• Comfortable with leading Forums, educational sessions, etc.

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