Infection Control Practitioner - The Brookdale Hospital Medical Center

The Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner [IPCP] is a health care professional with expert knowledge and skills in Infection Prevention and Control. The IPCP position requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or other HealthCare related professional knowledge. A Master of Public Health or a Certification in Infection Prevention and Control/CIC is preferred.  This role is responsible for strategic planning, compliance with regulatory agencies and management of daily operations for the Infection Control Program.   Oversees the Infection Control Performance Improvement projects including hand hygiene compliance, healthcare associated infection [HAI]-central line associated bloodstream infections initiative, ventilator-associated pneumonia, indwelling catheter associated urinary tract infection, multi drug resistant organism[MDRO] initiative and surgical care improvement project analysis and trending of data. 

Under general supervision of the Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Performs infection prevention data entry to the CDC NHSN, NYSDOH, CMS or other regulatory agencies or research database.  Integrates data from multiple sources and develops reports and other information tools in accordance with the needs of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology; Provides departmental support for data collection, projects and practice monitoring. Ensures collaborative participation in the management of projects; Abstracts infection control data from the eMR and the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network [CDCNHSN]; Analyzes surveillance data and identifies trends. Serves as source of expertise on measurement data/techniques, including related statistics; Leads the development and testing of methods for assessment of data.  Links data from different sources into data sets and designs, develops and maintains independent databases. Performs statistical analysis as needed. Serves as a liaison to assigned teams/departments, communicates data variance and other pertinent information to stakeholders. Provides data reports for each site infection control committee, and reports communicable diseases to the City and State Health Departments surveillance system. Coordinates the collection of data from the infection prevention departments for the hospital dashboard and other presentations as required and ensures the accuracy and completeness of the data. Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Infection Prevention and Control.

Responsibilities:

• IPCP will act as a director or assistant director in the absence of their leadership.
• Effective communication between the Infection Control Officer/ Chairman, Infection Control Committee, Chief Nursing Officer, Hospital Leadership and hospital personnel.
• Task prioritization, time management, special project initiation and evaluation and collaboration with the multi disciplines team members
• Assist for Staffing of the Infection Control Committee.
• Active participation on Emergency Management Coordination as one of the Bioterrorism Coordinator Alternate 
• Recommends control measures to contain an outbreak.
• Monitors performance improvement report and where applicable, takes action to correct deficiencies, and to improve elements of care. Identifies potential areas for improvement in the quality of care provided.  Organizes and identifies PI teams to improve efficiencies.
• Acts as a role model and as a resource to hospital personnel regarding Infection Control practice and education. Serve as an educator in OSHA, JCAHO, and New York State-required and unit-based continuing education and collaborate with education specialists regarding orientation of new staff and ongoing staff development.
• Assesses compliance with infection prevention policies and guidelines by conducting quality monitoring.
• Establishing infection control program goals and objectives under the supervision of the Hospital Epidemiologist.
• Implementing infection control policies and guidelines, acting as a role model and as a resource to hospital personnel regarding infection control practice and education. 
• Responsible for communicable diseases reporting and conducting contact investigations. Responded to all requests of NYC/NYS DOH.
• Conducting nosocomial infections surveillance and identifying issues of epidemiological significance and recommend control measures to contain an outbreak per CDC guidelines.
• Present all epidemiologically significant organisms, surveillance activity reports with implications, investigations to control outbreaks, and other pertinent issues to the multidisciplinary team such as Infection Control Committee and Care Center Performance Improvement Committees. Participate in meetings with different disciplines to problem solve, plan programs or establish standards of practice for performance improvement.
• Maintain ongoing communication with all levels of leadership such as, clinical nurse managers, medical director and supervisory personnel in other departments. Communicate effectively with patients, nursing and physician staff, and outside agencies.

Administration:

• Assists with implementation of the philosophy, objectives, and standards for Infection Prevention and Control
• Coordinates program function with hospital departments, nursing divisions, and support services.
• Represents Infection Control at Medical Center Committees (Environment of Care, Emergency Preparedness, Performance Improvement, Patient Safety, Nursing Leadership, Critical Care, and product evaluation committee, etc.)
• Supports the concept of participatory management, whereby Infection Control personnel can work with other disciplines to interpret the objectives of the hospital
• Provides consultation on the use of products and devices and on the use of antiseptics and disinfectants.
• Monitors the activities of the Infection Control program to ensure consistency with the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Infection Control Program and the mission of Interfaith Medical Center.
• Maintains an effective clinical and administrative records and reports.
• Participates in the Risk Management program in collaboration with Risk Management Manager and the Vice President, Hospital Operations. Identifies and report risk issues timely and maintains preventative program.
• Monitors clinical documentation to assure adherence to institutional standards.
• Serves as educator in OSHA, JCAHO, and New York State-required and unit-based education and collaborates with education specialists regarding orientation of staff and ongoing staff development.

Data Management Skills:

• Analytical ability in order to participate in the strategic planning of data resources; collect, analyze and report data; analyze and interpret discrepancies, issues or problems to ensure data accuracy/integrity; to identify appropriate sampling techniques; obtain advice when precedents are unclear or unavailable and to determine methods for ensuring compliance with functional/organizational/service policies and procedures.
• Communication and/or interpersonal skills for contact with internal and external
• customers/stakeholders to discuss and interpret technical information and department or function policy. Some discretion must be exercised in deciding what and how to communicate. Conflict resolution skills are exercised within the unit or function and occasionally on an interdepartmental or inter-functional basis. Diplomacy, tact and listening skills are required.
• Project management skills including the ability to define program, project, or process objectives, identify stakeholders and their interests, plan steps, coordinate and allocate human, technological and fiscal resources to accomplish goals and objectives in a resourceful yet timely manner.
• Technical knowledge of and ability to utilize spreadsheets, databases, and statistical analysis software programs.
• Familiarity with the extraction and manipulation of data from disparate sources to support the study of clinical, functional, service and cost outcomes.
• Technical knowledge of health-related data involved in clinical improvement, including medical record and administrative data. Working knowledge of public health and other external data sources.
• Ability to work with a team in identifying sources of data and methodology for collection.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN), or Health Science related disciplines.
• Graduate degree in Medicine, or Master of Public Health (MPH), or Certification of Infection Control (CIC).

Experience:

• Minimum of  2 to 5 years working within a healthcare system.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Proficiency with Office PC's, Desktops, and Laptop software in addition to familiarity with Microsoft Office softwares to include Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Good interpersonal skills a must.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Position may require prolonged periods of standing, walking, talking, sitting, hearing, and bending throughout the work day. 
• May include some repetitive motions.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions without compromising patient care.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.  Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of One Brooklyn Health System (OBHS), and Interfaith Medical Center (IMC).

One Brooklyn Health System (OBHS), and Interfaith Medical Center are an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, military status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or handicap or other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.