Infection Preventionist

Position Overview

The Infection Preventionist reports to the Director of Nursing and partners with the Medical Director, Infectious Disease MD/NP, Corporate Infection Preventionist, and other stakeholders to develop a system of care that promotes sound and scientific infection prevention principles and practice

This individual is accountable for decreasing the incidence and transmission of infectious diseases between patients, staff, visitors, and the community. Through strategic planning, leadership, and consultation, you will lead and direct a robust team in the identification and implementation of infection prevention goals and objectives throughout the facility

Position Responsibilities and Qualifications

In this key position, essential job duties and responsibilities include:

• Partners with the Medical Director for Epidemiology/Infectious Disease, and or Corporate Infection Preventionist to develop, implement and evaluate annual infection prevention goals and action plan.
• Partners with facility leaders, physicians, local, state, and national agencies on activities related to infection prevention.
• Oversees the operations of the infection prevention, epidemiology, industrial hygiene, and relevant safety programs.
• Accountable for surveillance of healthcare acquired and community acquired infections.
• Manages goal-setting process for system, unit and physician goals related to healthcare acquired infections and conditions.
• Lead industrial hygiene program to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, mitigate, and control workplace conditions. Assigned to TB employee and patient screen and methods of testing.
• Participates in the national collaborative and external reporting to CDC NHSN system, and other post-acute-care specific quality organizations.
• Authority and responsibility for ensuring appropriate intervention and education occurs with staff, volunteers, and medical staff when healthcare infection trends, outbreaks or non-compliance to infection control/OSHA are identified.
• Ensures that education and counseling on infection prevention is available for staff, volunteers, medical staff, patients, residents, and resident representatives.
• Support and participate in interdisciplinary performance and quality improvement process.
• Maintains current knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and ensures that the facility leaders are informed of appropriate issues. Understands and complies with infection control, safety and OSHA procedures and regulations.
• Attend and participate in monthly QAPI meetings, daily IDT meetings, and Weekly Facility Infection meetings.
• Ensuring proper documentation and submit any reportable to IDPH
• Gather, collect, and analyze weekly and monthly data on facility admitted and acquired Infections. Perform surveillance. Identify trends and champion the Antibiotic Stewardship Program.
• Collect information on Flu and Pneumonia vaccinations for both employees and patients/residents. Project yearly order needs for Flu Vaccination for employees and patients/residents. Conduct Wellness days for Employee and Patient/Resident Vaccination. IP will keep the Flu and Pneumonia log and consents in PCC.
• Conduct daily rounds in all departments in the facility, including laundry, housekeeping, nursing, activities, therapy, and dietary.
• Inspect environmental cleaning and disinfectant solutions, if matches with incidence and prevalence of organisms in the facility.

Position Qualifications and Credentials:

• Licensed Nurse (LPN)
• Specialty training in Infection Prevention and Control through accredited continuing education
• Must be nationally certified in Infection Prevention and Control by NADONA (IP-BC Credential) or completed APIC EPI Intensive Training for Long Term Care or Certified in Infection Control through Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC).