Infection Control Practitioner

St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System is seeking an experienced infection control professional to monitor and implement the Infection Control Program across the health system.

The role emphasizes surveillance, education, data analysis, and ensuring regulatory compliance to improve patient care and safety. Qualified candidates will hold an RN license in Georgia with a required infection control certification within 3 years of eligibility and maintain it thereafter; 3-5 years in clinical or

Qualifications

• Associates of Nursing required.
• BSN preferred.
• 3-5 years clinical or epidemiology experience required.
• Professional license with state of practice required; national certification required; RN in GA.
• Infection Control certification within 3 years of eligibility and maintain certification.

Responsibilities

• Monitor adherence to infection control policies during rounds and provide immediate counsel or corrective action.
• Prioritize rounds based on patient risk and data; collaborate on isolation and infection control issues.
• Prepare and present educational offerings for staff and community; stay current with regulations (JC, CDC, OSHA).
• Maintain knowledge of reportable diseases and reporting timeframes; review NHSN data for CMS upload.
• Report exposures promptly to Occupational Health Services; participate in committees on infection-related concerns.

Skills

Infection control

Surveillance

Education delivery

Data analysis

Regulatory knowledge

NHSN data entry

Education

Associates of Nursing - Required

Bachelors of Nursing - Preferred

Tools

NHSN database

CMS reporting

Lab data review

Job description

Monitors and implements the health system's Infection Control Program that is aimed at improving the quality of patient care/outcomes and patient/personnel safety by: conducting surveillance activities, providing education, analyzing and reporting data, recommending actions for and assisting in maintaining regulatory requirements/recommendations.

Education

Associates of Nursing - Required

Bachelors of Nursing - Preferred

Experience

3-5 Years clinical or epidemiology - Required

License & Certification

Professional License with State of Practice - Required

National Certification - Required

Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Georgia

Certification in Infection Control within 3 years of eligibility and maintain certification

Core Job Functions

• Monitors adherence to existing infection control policies during rounds (during EOC and just in time rounds) and provides immediate counsel and/or takes corrective action when breaks in technique are observed, discussing opportunities for improvement to the appropriate Manager. Participates in performance improvement activities and infection control plan development, governance councils and interdisciplinary committees.
• Prioritizes unit rounds based on patient risk, culture data, and the potential for nosocomial transmission of disease. Collaborates with Physician Advisors to Infection Control, and/or Attending Physician and staff on isolation/infection control issues. Using standard NHSN definitions, reviews microbiological lab data, specific patient clinical presentation and "reason for visit" issues to determine if a hospital acquired infection is present.
• Prepares and presents educational offerings for staff, patients, community based on needs assessment and observation, and as requested. Peruses literature to keep abreast of current information in a rapidly changing field. Maintains current knowledge of regulations, requirements and recommendations (JC, CDC, OSHA, etc.)
• Maintains current knowledge regarding the types of communicable diseases that require reporting and their appropriate timeframes. Conducts patient interviews as required. Recognizes the potential for transmission of disease in the community and reports in a timely manner. Enters hospital acquired infection data into the NHSN database for CMS upload.
• Employee, visitor, family, or other exposures to infectious disease is reported promptly to Occupational Health Services as appropriate. Investigation and follow up activities for exposed persons is conducted promptly. Participates with facilities, construction committee and staff regarding infection related concerns. Participates in committees regarding product review and evaluation

Learn more about the many benefits available to SJ/C co-workers. From wellness programs and insurance options to child care and housing opporunities, SJ/C invests in the health and well-being of our co-workers in many ways.