Infection Preventionist - Infection Control - Full Time

The Infection Control Practitioner assists the Infection Control Manager in the program development, evaluation, and improvement of practices in relation to evidence based and recognized standards for Infection Prevention and Control.

Supports, and is responsible for incorporating into job performance, the Frederick Health (FH) mission, vision, core values and customer service philosophy and adheres to the FH Compliance Program, including following all regulatory requirements and the FH Standards of Behavior.

Job Duties

1. Program Management:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the organizational infection prevention program.
• Develop an 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 control and prevention policies and protocols.
• Communicate infection control and prevention information and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization as assigned.

2. Design and Deliver Education

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

3. 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 control and prevention regulatory and accreditation standards.

4. Performance Improvement (PI)

• Utilize PI methodology as a means of enacting change.
• Define the scope of the project and select appropriate PI tools to aid in efficiency, reliability, effectiveness and ensure sustainability of the initiative.
• Monitor and analyze process and outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability.

5. Employee Health

• Participate in the development/review of employee health policies and procedures related to IPAC.
• Develop (or assist with) rates and trends of employee exposures.
• Apply work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable diseases or following an exposure.

1. Professional Accountability

• Pursue professional growth and development of required knowledge and skills.
• Maintain certification and licensure requirements.
• Establish at least 1 professional goal per year.
• Advocate for patient safety, health worker safety, and safe practices.
• Participate in an infection prevention and control professional organization/association (i.e.: APIC).
• Review Infectious Disease/Infection Control Literature to learn standards of practice and opportunities to improve patient safety and reduce healthcare acquired infections.
• Re-certify in Infection Control every 5 years.

2. 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

3. Leadership

• Bring enthusiasm, creativity, and innovation to practice.
• Contribute to the development of less-experienced healthcare providers through education and mentorship.
• Prepare and deliver infection prevention presentations to external groups.

4. Research and Implementation Science

• 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.

5. IPC Informatics

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

6. Fiscal Responsibility

• Consider the financial/safety implications and clinical outcomes when making recommendations, evaluating technology and products, and developing policies and procedures.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to accurately collect, analyze, and aggregate Infection Control data.
• Ability to communicate educational information and /or regulatory issues in a clear, concise, and timely manner to staff.
• Demonstrates good interpersonal skills, interacts daily with all levels of hospital personnel.
• Conscientious and dependable in performing duties.
• Demonstrates the ability to negotiate and solve problems.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

Minimum Education and Training

• Bachelors degree in nursing or related field
• Minimum 3 years experience in a healthcare setting
• CIC certification required within 2-3 years of hire date

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to the Manager of Infection Prevention and Control. Manages IPAC activities in absence of Manager. Takes night, weekend, and holiday call on a rotating basis.

• The content of this document reflects the general duties, responsibilities, minimum skills, abilities and competencies necessary to perform the essential functions of the job and should not be considered as an exhaustive detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. Frederick Health may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.