Infection Preventionist

Job Requirements

Under general supervision, conducts nosocomial infection surveillance, analyzes data for trends, participates in outbreak investigations, provides related education to staff and maintains relevant policies.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• Reviews culture and sensitivity reports on in-patients with possible infections to set priorities for surveillance activities in patient care areas and define nosocomial infections in accordance with CDC published definitions.

• Performs surveillance of current in-patient and discharged patient’s medical records suspected of having acquired a nosocomial infection.

• Discusses significant Infection Control issues with the Director of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiologist, usually pertaining to those nursing units assigned for surveillance activities.

• Maintains records of nosocomial infections and prepares various monthly, quarterly and annual infection reports in accordance with departmental procedures.

• Completes necessary data collection in preparation for monthly statistical nosocomial infection report.

• Attends monthly Infection Control Subcommittee meetings to present nosocomial infection data for specific patient care areas and/or types of infections.

• Prepares and reviews quarterly nosocomial infections reports for accuracy and completeness with Hospital Epidemiologist. Distributes report to the Executive Infection Control Committee to be presented by the Hospital Epidemiologist. May attend and present the data as required.

• Investigates patient/employee exposures to communicable diseases and participates in outbreak investigations, making recommendations to control such outbreaks and notifies appropriate City and State Health Officials in accordance with departmental procedures and state regulations.

• Reviews current infection control literature to keep up-to-date on infection control changes and developments.

• Makes recommendations to departments to alter specific procedures in an effort to decrease the transmission of nosocomial infection between and/or to patients.

• Provides infection control education to nursing, medical staff and various allied health staff to communicate departmental and hospital-wide policies and procedures.

• Consults with health care workers via telephone and/or in person concerning infection control issues in patient care and/or employee health.

• Assists clinical staff in developing departmental infection control policies/procedures.

• Develops and conducts hospital-wide in-service programs on infection control.

• Assists with conducting Annual Training Sessions on “Occupational Exposure to Blood borne Pathogens” and tuberculosis for UMMS employees, physicians and other hospital personnel.

• Collaborates with Employee Health regarding vaccine programs, PPD testing and post-evaluation follow-up for infectious disease exposures.

Work Experience

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited School of Nursing, Medical Technology, or a related field or equivalent is required.
• Current licensure in the State of Maryland as a Registered Nurse or certification as a Registered Medical Technologist is required unless certification in infection prevention is currently held with equivalent educational background requirements. Certification from the Association for Practitioners in Infection Control (APIC) as an Infection Control Practitioner is required, or taken within two (2) years of hire.
• Two and one-half years clinical experience as an RN or microbiology experience as a Medical Technologist or certified in infection prevention with equivalent experience is required. Infection control experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications as it applies to database management such as, Dbase or other database management software, and knowledge of the operation of a personal computer system is required. Knowledge of statistics, research design, adult and pediatric infectious diseases, nosocomial infections surveillance, interpretation of microbiology lab data is required.
• Ability to deliver various educational programs to hospital personnel regarding infection control precautions/procedures.
• Ability to respond, investigate, identify and problem-solve infection control issues requiring immediate and decisive action.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills are required to interact with patients and clinical staff regarding infection control procedures and precautions.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age specific needs.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives

• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.