Infection Preventionist, RN

JOB DESCRIPTION:  

The Infection Preventionist is a key member of the Quality and Risk team. The Infection Preventionist is responsible for identifying, investigating, monitoring, and reporting healthcare associated infections as well as all NHSN reporting requirements. Collaborate with regional APIC groups to learn best practices in Infection Prevention and CDC guideline updates. The Infection Preventionist will work with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies.  

The Infection Preventionist supports the Organization’s Quality Assurance Performance 

Improvement Plan and the Infection Prevention Plan by providing education, surveillance, data generation, and analysis of key quality indicators.  This position requires a variety of activities with varying degrees of complexity, autonomy, high degree of accuracy, factual dependability, and independent thinking. The Infection Preventionist interfaces with health care professionals in all patient care areas and must be able to communicate effectively and professionally in all situations. 

Responsible for maintaining an infection surveillance, prevention and control program based on the organization's risk assessment and plan, in accordance with state, federal, and other reporting requirements

• Monitors patients for the occurrence of communicable diseases, HAIs, and resistant and epidemiologically important organisms.
• Monitors infectious diseases and epidemiologically significant organisms occurring in the community via laboratory reports and public health reports.
• Monitors cleaning processes throughout the facility, including high level disinfection and sterilization procedures.
• Collects, manages and analyzes surveillance data using standardized methodology and defined criteria Maintains departmental records to be in compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• Reports surveillance /laboratory data, findings and analyses to the appropriate committees, patient care units, personnel, and external agencies
• Identifies and evaluates clusters of infections and potential outbreaks, investigates and implements control measures.
• Recommends isolation precautions according to the organization's policies and procedures.
• Assists in developing and maintaining evidence-based infection prevention and control policies and protocols in accordance with regulatory, government and accrediting/licensing agency requirements and recommendations of relevant professional organizations.
• Evaluates products, devices and equipment relating to infection prevention and control.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficacy of infection prevention and control strategies. Collaborates with other departments throughout the facility to design and implement strategies to prevent HAIs and transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms and other epidemiologically important organisms.
• Investigates exposures to communicable disease and initiates appropriate measures to prevent the transmission of disease.
• Collaborates with occupational health personnel on matters such as exposure management and immunization.
• Participates in orientation programs and required annual education programs.
• Develops or obtains educational materials and programs, as needed, for personnel, patients and visitors.
• Provides education on hand hygiene, aseptic technique, infection prevention and control strategies, antiseptics and disinfectants, specific infectious diseases, and other related health care Issues.
• Works with facilities management and other personnel to evaluate infection risks associated with renovation and construction projects and identify control measures.
• Assists the organization to evaluate and maintain readiness for state, federal, and accrediting agency surveys.
• Responds to urgent infection prevention concerns and outbreak situations outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

• Conducts infection prevention committee meetings regularly. 

AMBERWELL CULTURE:

Amazing Amberwell employees are at the heart of a workplace focused on competencies with our cultural values. Excellence in healthcare is expected and our patients deserve nothing less. Our culture competencies range from warm greetings in the hall to providing patients with “wow” experiences in each department. At Amberwell, we go beyond excellence to provide the unexpected.

At Amberwell, you will find a professional environment that values consistency, collaboration, and patient-first decision making. Servant leadership is both modeled and mentored, with a focus on regular appreciation. Amberwell employees enjoy many appreciation events and activities to help them know just how important they are to our organization, our patients, and our communities.

To learn more about Amberwell Health, our affiliated organizations, and available career opportunities, visit careers.amberwellhealth.org.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience: 
  • Minimum Required Experience: 2 years recent nursing experience.
  • Preferred Experience: 2 years recent acute/hospital experience; infection preventionist experience highly preferred.  
• Education:  
  • Minimum Required Education: Associate Degree in Nursing 
  • Preferred Education: Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
• Licenses: 
  • Minimum Required Licenses: Active unencumbered Kansas or Compact registered nurse license. 
  • Preferred Licenses:  
• Certifications: 
  • Minimum Required: Basic Life Support
  • Preferred Certifications: APIC Certification