RN, Infection Preventionist

Responsibilities:

• Facilitates the development, revision, and evaluation of the hospital's Infection Control plan, including risk assessment, and ensures compliance with all infection control standards, and other applicable laws/regulations through chairing infection control committee.
• Routinely conducts infection prevention process surveillance to identify potential process deficiencies which may impact patient safety and lead to Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI).
• Responsible for collecting, evaluating and analyzing surveillance data and presenting in meaningful ways to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to decrease HAI.
• Recognizes and investigates clusters of infections, communicates the investigation results through appropriate channels, and facilitates the implementation of interventions to prevent future infections.
• Responsible for reporting mandatory Infections data to the national databases, local health authorities, and other regulatory organizations, as required by the law. Maintains patient and physician confidentiality.
• Develops, reviews, and revises infection control policies and procedures that are consistent with evidence based standards of practice, established guidelines (CDC, etc.), regulatory agencies.
• Serves as the facility subject matter expert and consultant for healthcare infection control issues. Provides infection control training/education to all new hospital employees; oversees curriculum for the infection control component of employee annual refresher training; and provides in-service training for programs and departments, as appropriate or requested.
• Participates in product selection and provides input relevant to infection prevention. Assists in developing educational materials related to product implementation related to infection control.
• Serves as a member and/or consultant on assigned hospital standing committees, quality improvement teams and work groups.
• Participates in facility environmental/departmental surveillance activities such as is: water safety, engineering/construction, environmental risk assessments, emergency management, and facility safety.
• Collaborates with Employee Health Services on all communicable disease exposures and hospital outbreaks that directly impact their patient population.
• Participates in professional organizations and networks to learn and exchange knowledge and expertise in infection control and prevention.
• Flexible to provide 24/7 coverage as needed