Infection Preventionist

The Infection Preventionist (IP) works closely and collaboratively with the Director of Infection Prevention & Control, the Hospital Epidemiologist, members of the Infection Prevention team and staff and leaders throughout UVA Health. Job The IP is responsible for the development and implementation of evidence-based clinical practices that focus on infection prevention and enhance the infection control program for UVA Health. This includes: implementation of healthcare-associated infection reduction strategies for patients and personnel, LIPs, APPs, and students through assessment and risk identification; researching current literature and practice; study development and publication; development, implementation, monitoring and reporting prevention strategies; routine and focused surveillance; policy and procedure development; training and education program development; and collaboration with personnel in all job categories in the Health System. This is a position based on the APIC Competency Model to become more proficient with infection prevention. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Leadership: Demonstrates interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop positive working relationships with patients, families, employees, and outside personnel. Develops collaboration skills by assuming a role in a focused group project. Collaborates well with peer groups and can work well with diverse groups. With ongoing guidance, becomes more independent in collaborating with key stakeholders (management and staff across departments and to serve as an information resource). Works collaboratively with other HEIP team members to participate in analysis, reporting, interpretation, recommendations based upon surveillance, investigations, findings, observations and data. Reports issues of significance to IP III, the Director, or Hospital Epidemiologist as appropriate. Mentors IP I team members. Professional Stewardship: Becomes more independent in pursuing information, in collaboration with an experienced IP. Collaborates with peers to identify the cost of a product/service. Comfortable with speaking to product/equipment representatives and obtaining costs for a product/service. Quality Improvement/Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction: Identifies the information necessary to conduct a basic risk assessment. Performs a basic risk assessment and provides input into developing risk reduction strategies based on the risk. Conducts and organizes a basic literature search to review and analyze ideas to include in the risk reduction strategies. Progresses toward the ability to identify evidence-based practices and conduct a gap analysis. Performs rounds on patients at risk for device-related infections, educates bedside RN and reports findings to unit leadership. Operations/Epidemiology and Surveillance: Detail oriented, with proven organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage time, prioritize tasks, and see projects through to completion. Leads epidemiological and communicable disease investigations and exposures and reports communicable diseases, and other reportable events to appropriate agencies. Investigates sentinel events, or unsafe medical devices and reports findings to local, state and federal agencies. Applies NHSN and/or outbreak definitions relevant to the practice setting and reports appropriately to regulatory agencies. Performs basic statistical techniques and formulas to analyze data. Is responsible for multiple assigned units. Develops current knowledge of emerging pathogens, regulatory and legislative and infection prevention related requirements. Has a working knowledge of Medical Center and HEIP policies and procedures. Implements established policies and procedures; acts upon incidents of noncompliance with policies and procedures through the incident reporting system. Provides environmental assessment and monitoring for Medical Center construction projects. Leads environmental rounding of Medical Center departments/clinics and evaluates patient care environments. Participates in the development, completion and reporting of annual departmental goals and surveillance plan and ensures that timelines are met. Assumes rotation assignments for on-call support duties and available while on call for emergencies that require on-site assessment i.e. outbreak (per Director or Hospital Epidemiologist) or issues that affect the ability to provide patient care. Assists ICP II in developing new policies based on accreditation standards, regulatory and legislative requirements, patient safety goals and medical literature. Demonstrates basic knowledge of disinfection and sterilization practices used in all settings. Research: Identifies research findings and applies to IPC practice. Recognizes research findings must be evaluated and interpreted appropriately to identify their significance and validity to practice. Performs data management and basic report generation that apply to assigned tasks. Surveillance Technology: Conducts surveillance using data mining software and medical records to identify trends and associates NHSN and/or outbreak definitions relevant to the practice setting and IPC program. Monitors microbiology reports for clustering of organisms, unusual pathogens, epidemiologic significant pathogens or infections that require isolation precautions, exposure workups or notification to public health and documents per SOP. Other Functions and Responsibilities Other duties as directed by the Director. Technical Knowledge: Competency in MS Office - Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point (create, edit and present PowerPoint slideshows). Ability to manipulate and extract database information, and basic descriptive statistics e.g., Chi square, frequency analysis; preferably knowledgeable about multi-modal communications strategies (e.g., applications use, voicemail, text, social media). Prior experience with electronic health records systems; prefer experience with EPIC and the TheraDoc Infection Prevention module. Position Compensation Range: $35.31 - $56.50 Hourly MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Experience: 3 - 6 years recent infection control experience in an acute care facility, preferably in an academic medical center. Education: One of the following programs required depending on specialty: Graduate of an accredited nursing program, Bachelor's of Sciences in Nursing preferred, Medical tech program (MT - ASCP) or Masters in Public Health (MPH). Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or comparable related healthcare field Clinical experience in critical care, emergency or perioperative fields PHYSICAL DEMANDS This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs. The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.