Infection Preventionist - Memorial Health

Working as an Infection Preventionist at Memorial Health you will be responsible for the identification and classification of healthcare acquired infection events, nursing indicators, and quality outcomes.  Provides guidance in infection prevention and control for healthcare staff, patients, families, and general public. Serves as an educator and participates in educational programs for infection prevention and control.  Serves as a liaison between the lab department and infection prevention. Collaborates with employee health in development of policies related to the risk of disease transmission. Participates in research when appropriate and incorporates research findings into evidence based clinical practice.  Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values.

Education:

• Bachelors degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory science or chemical, physical, biological science or equivalent is required.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP) certification required.
• CPR certification required within six months of hire.

Experience:

• Work experience commensurate with training and education as medical laboratory scientist.
• Data collection experience preferred.

Other Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Willing to engage in individual study.
• Good communication skills.

1. Identification of infectious disease processes

• • Differentiate among colonization, infection and contamination.
  • Interpret results of diagnostic/lab reports.
  • Recognize epidemiologically significant organisms for immediate review and investigation.
  • Differentiate among prophylactic, empiric, and therapeutic uses of antimicrobials.
  • Identify indications for microbiologic monitoring.

1. Surveillance and epidemiologic investigations

• • Collection and compilation of surveillance data.
  • Ability to identify and implement an Outbreak investigation.

1. Preventing/controlling the transmission of infectious agents

• • Develop and review infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
  • Identify and implement infection prevention and control strategies to prevent the transmission of infectious agents.

1. Employee/occupational health: Collaborates with EH in the development of strategies that address the risk of disease transmission to HCW and ancillary staff.

• • Provide counseling, follow-up, work restriction recommendations related to communicable diseases or following exposures in collaboration with Employee Wellness nurse.
  • Participates in development and review of EH policies and procedures related to infection prevention and control.
  • Assists in the influenza campaign.
  • Consults on post-exposure protocols and activities related to communicable diseases.

1. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Courtesy, Quality, and Efficiency that support our mission, vision and values:

• • SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I put safety first in everything I do.  I take action to ensure the safety of others.
  • COURTESY: Serve Others - I treat others with dignity and respect.  I project a professional image and positive attitude.
  • QUALITY: Improve Outcomes - I continually advance my knowledge, skills and performance.  I work with others to achieve superior results.
  • EFFICIENCY: Reduce Waste - I use time and resources wisely.  I prevent defects and delays.

1. Education and research: Serves as an educator and educational resource for HCW, ancillary staff, physicians, patients, families, and the general public.

• • Assess needs, develop goals and measurable objectives and prepare plans for educational offerings.
  • Apply principles of adult learning to educational strategies and delivery of educational sessions.
  • Prepare, present, or coordinate educational workshops. Lectures, discussion or one-on-one instruction on a variety of infection prevention and control topics.
  • Apply critical reading skills to evaluate research findings.
  • Utilizes appropriate information technology in educational design and delivery.

1. Professional development: Acquires and maintains current knowledge and skills in the area of infection prevention, control, and epidemiology. 

• • Completes basic infection prevention and control training course within the first 6 months of entering the profession.
  • Seeks opportunities to improve individual performance.
  • Participates in professional organizations and networking opportunities
  • Demonstrates responsibility for own personal and professional growth as reflected in ongoing education and projects. Perioperative IP has knowledge and skills specific to preoperative services department.

1. Professional accountability: Responsible for the development, evaluation, and improvement of own practice in relations to the Practice Standards.

• • Establishes and works toward professional goals and objectives.
  • Performs regular self evaluations to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Seeks constructive feedback regarding professional practice.
  • Keeps current on best practices through evidence based research and guidelines.
  • Participates in education opportunities that promote personal professional growth and development.
  • Acquires and maintains current knowledge and skills in the area of infection prevention & control.
  • Communicates effectively with internal and external customers.

1. Leadership: Serves as a leader, mentor, and role model.

• • Provides direction and works collaboratively with others
  • Shares knowledge and expertise
  • Mentors less experienced health care providers and ancillary personnel
  • Recommends specific equipment, personnel, and resources for the infection prevention and control program.
  • Assists with evaluation of accreditation/regulatory compliance issue and facilitates compliance.

1. Consultation: Provides knowledge and guidance in infection prevention, control, and epidemiology.

• • Stays current with developments in infection prevention and control and lab technology/testing .
  • Integrates into practice, policies, and procedures: pertinent regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and guidelines.
  • Supports patient/families, administration, committees, HCW, and ancillary staff in infection prevention, control and epidemiology issues.
  • Provides input into patient safety and health care quality initiatives.

1. Performance improvement: Functions as a part of performance improvement initiatives to promote positive patient and employee outcomes. 

• • Identifies opportunities for improvement based on observations, process and outcome indicators, and other findings.
  • Acts as an agent of change and participates in the change process.
  • Directs the organization’s infection prevention and control improvement activities.
  • Participates in the organization’s multidisciplinary improvement strategies.
  • Utilizes established measurement tools and techniques, e.g., outbreak investigation, root cause analysis, etc.
  • Integrates surveillance findings into formal plans for improvement of practice and patient outcomes.
  • Collaborates with risk management/quality management in the identification and review of adverse and sentinel events.

1. Patient contact: Provide patient contact for limited activities.

• • Serve as consultant to patient and families related to infection control concerns.
  • Interprets lab cultures and explains results to patients and families.
  • Performs patient rounding on all patients with new diagnosis of multidrug resistant organism.
  • Assess compliance with healthcare acquired infection prevention bundles with direct patient contact and evaluation of process measures.

1. Performs other related work as required or requested.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.