Infection Preventionist Practitioner

This position works with a goal to reduce the risk of health care acquired infections to patients, staff, volunteers, and visitors. Plans, organizes and implements surveillance activities, assists and guides health care staff regarding proper infection prevention as well as proper isolation procedures. Evaluates health care acquired infections to identify root cause of infections and develops action plans for preventable risk factors. Supports teams with development, implementation, education and organizational communication plans and prepares formal reporting that tracks and trends data as well as progress toward local, regional and national goals. Using continuous quality improvement methodology and epidemiological principles, acts as a facilitator/expert for teams working to reduce the infection risks. Works collaboratively with the Vice President of Quality and Safety and the Vice President of Clinical Affairs, who will provide dyad leadership to the incumbent. Assures infection prevention activities comply with applicable laws and regulations, Federal and State guidelines, the Joint Commission, as well as all other accrediting agencies and CDC guidelines.

Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary range for this opportunity is $81,889/annually to $122,761/annually, with a median salary of $102,325/annually. Pay is dependent on several factors including relevant work experience and internal equity. Salary is just one component of the compensation package for employees. Gillette supports career progression and offers a competitive benefits package, including a retirement saving match, tuition and certification reimbursement, paid time off, and health and wellness benefits for .5 FTE and above.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and documents infection prevention activities that are in compliance with regulations and standards. Evaluates the effectiveness of the activities and incorporates change.
  • Annually conducts risk assessment with input from providers, staff and leadership for acquiring and transmission of infection. Prioritizes risks and sets annual goals set to minimize transmission of infections for patients.
  • Develops and maintains the organizational annual plans for infection surveillance, prevention, and control. Annually evaluates and documents the effectiveness of the plans and goals for the year.
  • Provides orientation and continuing education programs pertaining to infection prevention. Evaluates effectiveness of educational offering and adjusts and modifies as needed.
  • Performs daily interprofessional rounds on all infection prevention patients and participates in developing and evaluating the plan of care.
  • Reviews and evaluates patient care areas to ensure appropriateness of isolation techniques. Takes appropriate action to mitigate the risk of infectious disease transmission.
  • Consults on infection risk assessments, prevention and control strategies related to occupational health, construction and disaster planning.
  • Serves as a consultant for purchase of all equipment and supplies used for sterilization, disinfection, and cleaning agents.

• Develops and maintains systems to detect monitor and report infections.
  • Provides surveillance, analysis and interpretation of infection prevention data.
  • Evaluates unusual clusters or outbreaks of infections in patients or Gillette staff. Conducts contact tracing and investigations as appropriate.
  • Completes and monitors occurrence reports of healthcare acquired conditions and works collaboratively with Quality and Safety department in the review and cause analysis of infection related serious safety events (when indicated).
  • Ensures infection prevention policies remain compliant with nationally recognized infection prevention guidelines, applicable laws and regulations, Federal and State guidelines, the Joint Commission as well as other accrediting agencies and CDC guidelines. Policy reviews will be completed annually.

• Data and Reporting – Provides teams with expertise in measurement plans, data collection, data management, analysis and integration of the information.
  • Using data collected by the team with monthly reports of results and trending of this data for process and outcome measures to assist teams to determine effectiveness of changes made throughout the organization.

• Facilitates or participates on interprofessional teams working to implement strategies to reduce the risk of infections.
  • Identifies opportunities to improve infection prevention practices and recommends and works collaboratively with teams to make improvements.
  • Uses the improvement tools and model, rapid cycle method, PDSA cycles and high reliability principles to guide teams through redesign of processes and systems to improve and standardize processes, eliminate protect patients and staff from harm.
  • Provides teams with expert assistance on infection prevention best practices, measurement plans, data collection, analysis and integration of information.

• Procedures and Policies
  
  • Benchmarks program offerings and outcomes through communication with professional organizations, other providers of educational services, and current research.
  • Advances evidence-based practice change in collaboration with organizational leadership and staff.

• Active Engagement
  • Actively leads and coordinates the efforts of our committees, task forces, and the work of the department or work group to advance quality and safety outcomes.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the dynamic forces contributing to cultural diversity and the impact of those forces on the professional healthcare environment.

• Initiative
  • Demonstrates subject matter expertise and consultative skills to accomplish organizational objectives designed to improve care, services or meet established requirements.
  • Provides examples indicating that the Engaged Professional Practice model is fully enculturated in their professional practice. Leads staff to use the model as their guide in decision making.

Qualifications

Required

• Current RN license through the MN State Board of Nursing or other licensed healthcare professional
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or related health care field
• A minimum of 5 years healthcare experience
• 2 years of infection prevention team experience with a proven track record of results

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of quality improvement methods and principles, team process, high reliability principles, and change management
• Previous experience in educational program development and analysis.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of data management including collection, collation, validation, data display and statistical analysis using quality improvement techniques
• Flexible, with exceptional skills in organization, prioritization and attention to detail
• Excellent customer service, interdisciplinary communication and collaboration skills, ability to motivate others and approach challenges creatively.
• Demonstrates knowledge of principles of infection prevention and surveillance
• Demonstrate the ability to collect and analyze epidemiological data, report findings to a variety of audiences including clinical and non-clinical staff members, nursing leadership, regulatory agencies, and medical staff members
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other web-based applications

Preferred

• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) this credential expires every 5 years and must be maintained in good standing
• University or CDC course work in infection control and/or epidemiology
• Master’s degree in nursing or related health care field
• Leadership experience

Gillette Children’s is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse team, as we know that the diverse experiences of our employees make Gillette a stronger and better organization. We are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment where all patients, families and staff are welcomed and valued. We believe diverse perspectives and identities foster excellence, improve patient care and are essential for Gillette to fulfill its mission. Our team members collaborate to help patients of all backgrounds and abilities reach their full potential.

Gillette Children's is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of an individual's race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or gender identity, military status or any other class protected by federal, state or local laws.

Gillette Children’s is a global beacon of care for patients with brain, bone and movement conditions that start in childhood. Our research, treatment and supportive technologies enable every child to lead a full life defined by their dreams, not their diagnoses.

To learn more about working at Gillette Children's, please visit https://www.gillettechildrens.org/careers.

Gillette Children's participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify program which is an internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Gillette will give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS or the Social Security Administration (SSA) to resolve the issue before Gillette takes any further action. Please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ for further details regarding e-verify.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)