Infection Control Preventionist

St. Luke's University Health Network; Sellersville (Bucks County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Luke’s University Health Network is seeking an Infection Control Preventionist to lead hospital-wide surveillance and reporting of infections, and to serve as a resource for epidemiology and patient safety.

The role requires a BSN with two years of related experience; RN with acute care background is acceptable. CIC certification is preferred and will be required within five years for NJ employees.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years experience required in Nursing, Microbiology/Epidemiology or related field. For RN, acute care clinical nursing experience required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) is required within 5 years of hire.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred upon hire; CIC certification is required within 5 years of hire for all ICPs in New Jersey.

Responsibilities

• Conducts facility wide surveillance, analysis and reporting of hospital acquired infections (HAI) as established by departmental goals.
• Identifies and reports HAI in accordance with PA/NJ reporting requirements.
• Reports communicable diseases to appropriate public health departments as required by statutes.
• Acts as a resource/liaison to all customers on matters of Infection Control and epidemiology.
• Maintains confidentiality of all material handled within the Network/Entity and proper release of information.

Job description

St. Luke’s is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke’s are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay for health care.

The Infection Control Preventionist (ICP) participates in conducting and coordinating the infection control activities within the hospital. The ICP acts as a resource to and a liaison between patient care units, support services, medical staff, Infection Control Committee, Microbiology Lab, Hospital Administration, Network hospitals, and Public Health Departments.

The intent of this job description is to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position and shall not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in this position.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts facility wide surveillance, analysis and reporting of Hospital Acquired infections (HAI) as established by the annual Infection Control Departmental goals and objectives.

• Identifies and reports HAI in accordance with Pennsylvania and New Jersey PA reporting requirements.

• Reports communicable diseases to the appropriate public health departments as required by statutes.

• Acts as a resource/liaison to all customers on matters of Infection Control and epidemiology.

• Functions as a professional role model, including, but not limited to proper handwashing technique and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Institutes appropriate infection control measures deemed necessary when it is reasonably felt there is a danger to any patient, staff member, visitor, or the environment.

• Participates in collecting, reporting, and benchmarking infections to the National

• Assists Employee Health Services in follow-up of employee exposures.

• Enhances knowledge and professional development through participation in in-services and continuing education programs, reviewing current literature, and membership in the

• Participates in identifying departmental needs and supporting annual goals and objectives.

• Develops and conducts infection control educational programs as needed.

• Serves on appropriate committees, including, but not limited to, Infection Control

• Maintains confidentiality of all material handled within the Network/Entity as well as the proper release of information.

• Utilizes evidence based research to support and advance the practice of infection control and epidemiology.

• Participates in Performance Improvement activities.

• Maintains awareness of departmental budget.

• Complies with Network, and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows the appropriate reporting requirements.

• Complies with Network, and departmental policies regarding dress code and attendance.

• Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development, and communication appropriate to the age of the patient being treated.

• Demonstrates/models the hospital’s core values & customer service behaviors in interactions with all customers (internal & external).

• Demonstrates/models the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).

• Demonstrates Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate: Clinical Care/Outcomes, Customer/Service Improvement, Operational System/Process, and Safety.

• Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Sit up to 2 hours per day; 1 hour at a time. Stand for up to 8 hours per day, 2 hours at a time. Walk 6 hours per day; 10 minutes at a time. Occasionally lift, carry, push or pull objects up to

25 lbs. Occasionally stoop or bend. Must be able to perceive attributes of an object through touch. Must be able to hear as it relates to normal conversation, high and low frequencies. Must be able to see as it relates to general, near, far, color and peripheral vision.

/Epidemiology or related field required. Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) is required within 5 years of hire. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) preferred upon hire.

CIC certification is required within 5 years of hire for all ICPs working in New Jersey.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum of two (2) years experience required in Nursing, Microbiology/Epidemiology or related field. For RN, acute care clinical nursing experience required.

St. Luke’s University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer.