Infection Preventionist

Job Description

I. General Summary

Under general supervision, conducts nosocomial infection surveillance, analyzes data for trends, participates in outbreak investigations, provides related education to staff and maintains relevant policies.

II. Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Collects, processes, and analyzes surveillance data to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to decrease morbidity and mortality as well as employee exposures and injuries
• Evaluate hospitalized patients for the presence of nosocomial, infectious or reportable disease using both electronic data and site visits
• Reviews culture and sensitivity reports on in-patients with possible infections to set priorities for surveillance activities in patient care areas and define nosocomial infections in accordance with CDC published definitions.
• Performs surveillance of current in-patient and discharged patient’s medical records suspected of having acquired a nosocomial infection.
• Identifies, alert sand discusses significant Infection Control issues with the Director of Infection Prevention & Control and Hospital Epidemiologist, usually pertaining to those nursing units assigned for surveillance activities.
• Reports communicable diseases as required by law

Qualifications:
Qualifications

III. Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited School of Nursing, Medical Technology, or a related field or equivalent is required.
• Current licensure in the State of Maryland as a Registered Nurse or certification as a Registered Medical Technologist is required unless certification in infection prevention is currently held with equivalent educational background requirements. Current RN licensure with CIC certification may be accepted. Certification from the Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC)) as an Infection Control Practitioner is required, or taken within two (2) years of hire.
• Three years clinical experience as an RN or microbiology experience as a Medical Technologist or certified in infection prevention with equivalent experience is required. Infection control experience is preferred.

IV. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Sound knowledge of epidemiology, sterilization and sanitation, bacteriology, infectious disease and asepsis
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs
• Self-motivated individual with the ability to work independently
• Ability to respond, investigate, identify and problem-solve infection control issues requiring immediate and decisive action.
• Strong leadership skills
• Ability to deliver various educational programs to hospital personnel regarding infection control precautions/procedures.
• Must be able to relate to others on a professional level
• Ability to plan, organize, and consult

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.