Infection Preventionist

At Central Maine Healthcare our team members are committed to providing exceptional care and experiences for our community and for each other every day.

Position Summary: The Infection Preventionist exercises independent judgement in the assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation of processes throughout the organization to prevent or control the occurrence of infections. This position assures effective review and evaluation of patient care related to infectious processes by coordinating the continuous, systematic identification, analysis and resolution of patient infections. The IP collaborates and communicates effectively with clinical and medical Staff to promote safe, quality patient care free of infections; serves on the Infection Control and Prevention Committee; supports committee activities by providing pertinent data, case review facts and statistics regarding the occurrence of infections. Provides ongoing education and coaching related to infection prevention, works collaboratively with all departmnets to assist in orienting new employees and educate current staff on their role in the prevention of healthcare acquired infections and their responsibility to continuously meet ICP standards and regulations. This position serves as a liason and educator to the community when appropriate on infection prevention and control issues.

Demonstrates Competency in the Following Areas:
1. Demonstrates indepth knowledge of complete infection control process in the healthcare setting.
2. Demonstrates knowledge of risk stratified statistics as applicable to trending nosocomial infections.
3. Demonstrates understanding of standard and isolation precautions as set forth by the CDC.
4. Attends continuing education programs and maintains current knowledge of all aspects of infection control.
5. Demonstrates knowledge of microbiology, and modes of transmission of disease entities.
6. Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
7. Stays abreast of changing infection control practices and presents plan for compliance in a timely manner.
8. Establishes effective interpersonal relationships with physicians, nurses and all other members of the healthcare team. Communicates in a manner that conveys mutual understanding and respect.
9. Develops and implements a system for identifying, investigating, reporting and preventing the spread of nosocomial infections among residents of all ages and healthcare personnel.
10. Designs and implements new methods to improve the efficacy and outcomes of the Infection Control Program.
11. Demonstrates ability to develop infection control policies and procedures.
12. Assist with the reviews and/or revisionof all department policies and procedures related to infection control on a concurrent basis.
13. Collaborates with the Infection Control Committee Chairperson to review and approve Infection Control Manual policies and procedures
14. Assists in the development, implementation and improvement of infection control practices.
15. In concert with Employee Health, assists with ensuring compliance with OSHA needle stick safety prevention act through review of products and implementation of appropriate processes.
16. Acts as staff to the Infection Control committee. Formulates monthly agenda, minutes and reports. Assist with the prepararion of annual report and new annual IC plan.
17. Prepares statistics and other pertinent data and reports to the Infection Control Committee at least quarterly.
18. Maintains accurate records of nosocomial infections among patients and personnel.
19. Notifies Maine Bureau of Health of all Reportable Notifiable diseases in a timely manner.
20. Communicates infection control activities to administration, Clinical Excellence Committee, the medical staff and MEC via the Infection Control Committee minutes and/or Infection Control Committee Chairperson and/ or via direct communication with the dept manager.
21. Reviews construction areas to ensure Enviroment of Care and IC standards are maintained. Gives appropriate feedback to Director of Plant Operations and Chair IC committee as needed.
22. Reports IC data monthly to department managers and Director Perioperative Services
23. Implements and conducts special studies when appropriate or requested by the Infection Control Committee Chairperson.
24. Assist with the orientation of new employees, presents IC program in General Orientation
25. Makes recommendations to department managers and IC committee concerning staff educational needs.
26. Assists with in-service education related to infection prevention and control housewide.
27. Demonstrates ability to teach principles and practical application of infection control to all levels of healthcare personnel.
28. Provides consultative and educational services to internal and external customers related to IC practices.
29. Reviews cultures and sensitivities reported by microbiology laboratory of patients and personnel to determine if infection is nosocomial in origin.
30. Confers with staff on all patient units on a regular basis to determine occurrence of nosocomial infections.
31. Confers with medical and clinical staff to determine appropriate implementation of isolation precautions.
32. Investigates infections, especially those occurring above established thresholds, and/or in clusters by patient units.
33. Initiates culture and sensitivity per IC Chair and/or appropriate isolation precautions when indicated.
34. Based on studies which identify areas for improved patient outcomes, submits targeted surveillance indicators for Infection Control Committee approval on an annual basis
35. Conducts research on staff exposures to infectious diseases and acts as a consultant to Employee Health office.

Professional Requirements:
36. Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
37. Completes annual education requirements.
38. Maintains regulatory requirements.
39. Maintains confidentiality of patient and employee related information.
40. Reports to work on time and as scheduled. Arranges schedule with other staff to provide department coverage. Productive use of all work time.
41. Appropriate use of scheduled and unscheduled choice time
42. Wears identification while on duty.
43. Uses computerized Timecare system correctly and in a timely manner
44. Attends committee meetings as required.
45. Maintains open lines of communication with all departments.
46. Initiates duties, appropriate measures and sets priorities independently.
47. Remains open to suggestions of methods to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections thus improving patient outcomes.
48. Shows professional interest through attendance at seminars, continuing education conferences and involvement in professional organization.
49. Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
50. Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
51. Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
52. Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility.

Organizational Requirements:
53. Customer Service: Interacts with all individuals in a consistent manner, providing attention, support, and assistance to foster an environment of exceptional personal service.
a. Maintains a pleasant and helpful demeanor, and presents a professional appearance toward all internal and external customers at all times.
b. Consistently initiates interaction to provide assistance to individuals who may not be direct customers of the employee (i.e. asks patients who appear to be lost if they need assistance in finding their way).
c. Takes appropriate action to recover from a service difficulty, ensuring that the necessary action is taken to affect a resolution to the customer’s problem.
d. Conducts all work activities with respect for coworkers, including the maintenance of a pleasant and professional environment, fostering calmness during stressful situations.
e. Interacts with supervisory personnel in a professional, supportive and courteous manner, venting emotions appropriate to time and place.
f. Demonstrates a commitment to service by consistent attendance and punctuality, scheduling absences according to departmental requirements, and incurring unplanned absences only when unavoidable circumstances exist.
54. Confidentiality: Maintains confidentiality of information at all times.
a. Consistently maintains confidentiality of all information gained during the course of employment, respecting the privacy of others.
b. Understands and maintains the confidentiality of information communicated directly from the supervisor, including discussions of a counseling nature.
c. Follows policies and procedures related to medico legal matters, including confidentiality, amendments of medical records, patient rights, medical records as legal evidence and informed consent
d. Copies records according to policy, assuring the appropriateness of the individual requesting information from the record prior to copying, faxing, or phoning any portion of the record.
55. Safety: Demonstrates an understanding of fire and electrical safety, infection control, body mechanics, and related areas, as appropriate to position.
a. Attends mandatory in-services on fire safety, electrical safety, infection control, and body mechanics. Successfully completes competency-based training in each area.
b. Follows all employee health procedures, incident reporting, and infection control requirements at all times, as appropriate to the position.
c. Uses proper body mechanics at all times as required by the physical demands of the position.
d. Maintains a safe work environment and performs duties of the position in a manner consistent with ensuring the safety of self and others.
e. Identifies safety needs in areas outside own work environment, recommending corrective action as appropriate.
56. Expense Control: Performs job duties in a manner that maximizes expense control.
a. Uses supplies, equipment, and utilities in an expeditious manner
b. Consistently recommends methods to control costs while maintaining a high degree of customer service.
c. Performs job tasks efficiently and effectively resulting in no unplanned overtime.

Regulatory Requirements:
• Registration: RN licensure in State of Maine if candidate is a Nurse, Specialist,Microbiology (SM-ASCP) or Medical Technologist (MT-ASCP) with 2-3 years experience in Microbiology
• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Minimum 3-5 years experience in a medical setting, infection control experience preferred
• Strong interest in infection prevention and working with healthcare teams to reduce healthcare acquired infections.
• Member of the Association of Practitioners of Infection Control and Epidemiology strongly encouraged
• CIC certification ; or willingness to obtain certification within 3 years of hire

Language Skills:
• Ability to read and communicate effectively in English.

Skills:
• Current knowledge of infectious disease processes including management and treatment of.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, written and presentation communication skills
• Strong investigational and analysis skills
• Ability to proficiently use word-processing, spreadsheets, and some IPC database software

Physical Demands:
• For physical demands of position, including vision, hearing, repetitive motion and environment, see following description.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising client care.