Infection Prevention Specialist -- Infection Prevention -- Memorial-Parking Garage

Assists in the overall planning and design of the Infection Prevention program for the medical center. Designs and implements strategies to meet goals and objectives of the Infection Prevention program. Provides oversight of program components, and applies critical thinking skills in planning and evaluation of activities.

Responsibilities

• Designs and conducts epidemiologic outcome and process studies, including those concerning patient and employee infection and risk factors and record pertinent information. Ensure that reporting of progress, as well as results, is timely, and is directed to key stakeholders, as defined for each endeavor. • Analyze data from laboratory culture reports, review of patients charts, from nursing and physician staff, and other data sources; make decisions regarding classification of patients as having infections or not, and the classification of infections as healthcare-associated (HAIs) or community-acquired; and investigate problems related to risks and infectious outcomes. • Effectively use statistics in calculation of various rates, in data and trend analysis, and in report preparation; prepare reports for Infection Control Committee, clinical departments, clinicians, and other committees, as well as for external entities as required. Prepare communication that is timely, clear, and in various modes to meet the needs of customers. • Integrate and maintain expertise in patient care practices, epidemiology, risk assessment, infectious diseases, microbiology, disease transmission, Infection Prevention and control, and sterilization/disinfection practices. Evaluate clinical practices for infection risk and design and communicate strategies for risk reduction and improvement of clinical settings. • Make on-site environmental rounds, monitor Infection Prevention and control procedures, including isolation procedures, and identify risk factors for infections and other adverse outcomes. • Communicate to managers and staff the most current Infection Prevention and control techniques and procedures, and implement control measures, based on review of most current guidelines, standards, and policies and coach others to achieve optimal compliance. • Design, implement, provide oversight, and ensure timely completion of complex projects for the Infection Prevention department. • Provide leadership to Employee Health Department to ensure appropriate follow-up of patient/employee exposures. • Exhibit an understanding of adult learning principles and adult education skills in the planning and implementation of educational programs. • Lead task force or subcommittee as assigned. • Participate on hospital committees as assigned. • Conduct construction risk assessments for all construction and renovation projects and approve projects, after providing recommendations for required Infection Prevention techniques. • Represent CAMC on local and state health department committees as needed. • Provide leadership and supervision, as needed, of Infection Prevention staff.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Patient Group Knowledge (Only applies to positions with direct patient contact) The employee must possess/obtain (by the end of the orientation period) and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide developmentally appropriate assessment, treatment or care as defined by the department’s identified patient ages. Specifically the employee must be able to demonstrate competency in: 1) ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of patient needs; 2) knowledge of growth and development; and 3) understanding of the range of treatment needed by the patients. Competency Statement Must demonstrate competency through an initial orientation and ongoing competency validation to independently perform tasks and additional duties as specified in the job description and the unit/department specific competency checklist. Common Duties and Responsibilities (Essential duties common to all positions) 1. Maintain and document all applicable required education. 2. Demonstrate positive customer service and co-worker relations. 3. Comply with the company's attendance policy. 4. Participate in the continuous, quality improvement activities of the department and institution. 5. Perform work in a cost effective manner. 6. Perform work in accordance with all departmental pay practices and scheduling policies, including but not limited to, overtime, various shift work, and on-call situations. 7. Perform work in alignment with the overall mission and strategic plan of the organization. 8. Follow organizational and departmental policies and procedures, as applicable. 9. Perform related duties as assigned.

Education

Credentials

• Cert Inf Control (Required)

Work Schedule: Days

Status: Full Time Regular 1.0

Location: Memorial-Parking Garage

Location of Job: US:WV:Charleston

Talent Acquisition Specialist: Lauren R. Lane lauren.lane@vandaliahealth.org