Infection Preventionist

Job Description
The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing the quality of care provided to patients. The Infection Control Practitioner will provide clinical and service analysis related to infection control, infections rates, and infection surveillance to Department operations areas so that optimal quality can be achieved.

Position Summary

The Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for surveillance and risk education activities for patients served by The Ohio State University Medical Center. Surveillance activities involved both the inpatient and outpatient setting in order to measure outcomes over continuum of care. Risk reduction activities include addressing infection control issues within the medical center as well as those in the community that impact on patients admitted to the hospital. The IP helps to set infection control policies and serves as a resource to administrators, physicians, staff, and the community regarding infection control practices.

Minimum Education Required
Bachelor's Level Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a health related field required or equivalent education and experience. Knowledge of principles of epidemiology infection control, infectious diseases and microbiology required. Experience in hospital infection control preferred. Certification as infection control practitioner preferred. Registered nurse preferred. At least two years of clinical experience in a hospital setting preferred. Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and facilitation skills. Demonstrated ability to initiate and complete projects. Project Management experience preferred. Analytical skills, including an understanding of basic statistics. Ability to learn new systems software. Independent and self-motivated.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(30%) Program Management and Surveillance

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the organizational infection prevention program.
• Develop and annual surveillance plan based on the population(s) served, services provided, and analysis of surveillance data.
• Utilize epidemiologic principles to conduct surveillance and investigations.
• Evaluate and modify the surveillance plan as necessary.
• Develop, interpret and assist with implementation of infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Communication infection prevention and control information and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization as assigned.

(30%) Design and Deliver Education

• Assess and address learning needs of those served.
• Create education goals, objectives, and strategies using learning principles and available educational tools and technology.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and learning outcomes.

(10%) Regulatory Requirements

• Comply with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state and federal levels.
• Facilitate compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Stay current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards.

(25%) Performance Improvement (PI)

• Utilize PI methodology as a means of enacting change.
• Define the scope of the project.
• Select appropriate PI tools to aid in efficiency, reliability, effectiveness, and ensure sustainability of the initiative.
• Ensure the customer needs and expectations are considered in the development if and continuous improvement of processes, products, and services.
• Monitor and analyze process and outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability.
• Participate in PI committees, teams and initiatives as indicated.

(5%) OTHER DUTIES as requested:

• Precept and onboard new Infection Preventionists.
• Lead new product evaluation and implementation.
• Participate in the development/review of employee health policies and procedures related to infection prevention and control.

• Assess risk of occupational exposures to infectious disease.
• Perform exposure investigations in collaboration with employee health services.
• Assist with the development of rates and trends of occupational exposures
• Assist with the implementation of immunization and screening programs.
• Participates in short and long term strategic planning for the Department of Clinical Epidemiology
• Ability to flex schedule to ensure that off-shifts receive expertise and guidance from the Department of Clinical Epidemiology

Performance Standards (Job Expectations):

Professional Accountability: IPs shall assume responsibility for the development, evaluation, and improvement of their own practice to maintain the required skills and knowledge. This includes:

• Gain certification in infection control (CIC) within 3 years of hire if not already certified.
• Complete an APIC competency self-assessment annually.
• Complete a professional development plan annually.
• Seek constructive feedback from superiors, mentors, and colleagues regarding professional practice.
• Maintain current knowledge through the review of best practices, evidence-based research, consensus, and guidelines.
• Actively participate in professional organizations, both nationally and locally, if possible.
• Demonstrate professionalism through commitment to patient safety and protecting patients and providers by advocating safe practices and policies.

Collaboration

• Consult and collaborate, as needed, with local, state, and federal public health officials, and community health organizations.
• Involve multidisciplinary teams to ensure changes are vetted by all stakeholder groups.

Leadership

• Utilize principles of influence, leadership and change management.
• Bring enthusiasm, creativity and innovation to practice.
• Work collaboratively with others, providing direction when necessary.
• Readily share knowledge and expertise.
• Contribute to the development of less-experienced healthcare workers through education and mentorship.
• Prepare and deliver infection prevention presentations to external groups.

Research and Implementation Science

• Evaluate (critically) research and evidence-based practices and incorporate appropriate findings into routine practice.
• Integrate evidence-based practices into policies, guidelines, protocols and educational strategies.
• Identify barriers for implementation and develop strategies to minimize or remove barriers.
• Implement strategies to sustain efforts such as audit tools and meaningful feedback.

IPC Informatics

• Be familiar with infection prevention software and other technology.
• Collaborate with IT to create meaningful electronic reports to enhance infection prevention initiatives.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Consider the financial/safety implications and clinical outcomes when making recommendations, evaluation technology and products, and developing policies and procedures.
• Use a systematic approach to evaluate costs, benefits, and efficacy.

Patient Population Served

Knowledge of growth and development and an understanding of the range of treatments necessary to meet the age specific needs of the patient population served (Check those that apply):

Not Applicable: Non-patient care title

X

Adolescents (14 - 17 years)

Neonates (0 - 6 months)

Adults (18 - 64 years)

Children (7 months - 13 years)

Geriatrics (65 + years)