Infection Preventionist RN

Job Summary: Identifies potential risk for exposure both to employee, patients, visitors or medical staff. Preparation of reports to Medical Staff Committees and hospital leadership regarding health-care acquired infections; disseminates data to medical and nursing staff, and others as required. Reports communicable diseases per regulations. Reports blood/body fluid exposures. Collaborates with local/state agencies when requested and required by regulations. Monitors new products that impact reduction of potential for infection. Conducts educational programs relating to infection prevention and control during orientation and as needed. Participates in mandatory standard precaution in service required by JCAHO and OSHA annually and as needed. Provides resource data to supervisors, department managers, medical staff, patient, and/or family members regarding infection control issue. Serves as subject-matter expert for these topics. Facilitates management of policies and procedures for Infection Control. Advises and supports Employee Health initiatives. Monitors information and completes annual infection control plan and risk analysis for presentation to the Board of Directors and staff. Daily surveillance rounding regarding infection prevention issues. Participation and information sharing/advice in the Safety Huddle and Grand Rounds. Identifies, monitors prevention and control processes for infectious disease processes and infection agents. Conducts surveillance and epidemiologic investigation. Prevention and control of the transmission of infectious agents. Assesses high risk patients to determine potential and/or risk of infections. Identifies outbreaks and/or trends. Develops action plans, reports and occurrences through proper channels. Reviews all construction areas to assure expected infection prevention processes are adhered to and coordinates corrective action as needed. Signs off on ICRA documentation. Ownership of the Infection Control chapter for Joint Commission compliant and planning of activities to ensure full organizational compliance. Is aware of and scans the healthcare environment to identify practices and trends that might impact PPGH and/or our community.

Qualifications/Reporting

Required minimum education: Graduate of a professional nursing school. Degree in Nursing or Allied Field required.

Required minimum experience: Three years of professional nursing experience in a clinical setting. Prefer one year in an infection preventionist role, healthcare quality or healthcare employee health role.

Required skills (if applicable): Must be able to communicate effectively with physicians, staff and patient/families. Effective oral and written communication skills. Must be detail oriented with strong follow through skills, human resource skills and financial skills. Strong interpersonal skills and problem-solving ability is essential. Good working knowledge of nursing theory and practice and of adult learning principles. Demonstrated teaching skills, leadership skills, and skills in critical thinking and reading are essential. Knowledge of program development, and familiarity with regulatory and accrediting agency standards for infection control and clinical safety preferred.

Required license/certification: Registered nurse currently licensed to practice in the State of Texas. Basic Cardiac Life Support required. APIC Infection Preventionist Certification preferred. APIC required within first year of employment.

Job reports to (title of the position): Chief Quality Officer

Job titles reporting to this position: None