Infection Prevention Specialist I - Main Infection Prevention - Full Time - Days

The Christ Hospital Health Network; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Christ Hospital seeks an Infection Preventionist to lead surveillance and prevention efforts within our healthcare system in Cincinnati. You will monitor infections, analyze data, develop policies, and coordinate with public health agencies to prevent HAIs. Strong collaboration with clinical teams and education for staff are required.

CIC certification is preferred. The role emphasizes outbreak response, risk assessment, and antimicrobial stewardship to safeguard patients and staff across

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of infection prevention strategies and control practices.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) within 5 years is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor infections and surveillance for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
• Report surveillance data to committees, units, and external agencies.
• Develop, revise, and enforce infection prevention policies and procedures.
• Coordinate outbreak identification, response, and communication with stakeholders.
• Participate in annual risk assessments and mitigation planning.
• Collaborate on antimicrobial stewardship and staff education.

Skills

Infection control

CIC certification

Education

Bachelor's degree (nursing/public health/related)

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

Infection Preventionists (IPs) are professionals who are responsible for preventing infections in the healthcare environment through early identification, investigation and monitoring of hospital activities. The IP collaborates with healthcare teams, hospital leadership and other professions to create and sustain infection prevention strategies, compile infection data, develop policies and procedures and coordinate with local, state and national public health agencies. IPs have an awareness of all regulations (CMS, TJC, OSHA, CDC, WHO, AORN, state and local health depts) relative to infection control and prevention; while maintaining current standards of infection prevention practices.

Responsibilities

Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology

• An infection preventionist is responsible for monitoring and tracking infectious diseases within TCHHN.

• a.) Collects, manages, and analyzes surveillance data using standardized methodology & defined criteria for Hospital Associated Infections (HAI).
• b.) Organizes and maintains surveillance data and records.
• c.) Reports surveillance data, findings, and analyses to the appropriate committees, patient care units, personnel, and external agencies.
• d.) Provides written and verbal reports to administration and relevant committees, departments, personnel and external agencies.
• e.) Monitors patients for the occurrence of communicable diseases, HAIs, and resistant and epidemiologically important organisms.
• f.) Monitors infectious diseases and epidemiologically significant organisms occurring in the community via laboratory reports and public health reports.
• g.) Monitors and evaluates the efficacy of infection prevention and control strategies.

Infection Prevention and Control Activities

• An infection preventionist is responsible for implementing and enforcing infection control protocols.
• a.) Participates in development of healthcare staff orientation programs, required annual education programs and ongoing education and competencies.
• b.) Provides education on hand hygiene, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfection procedures for patient care areas, equipment, and high-touch surfaces, aseptic technique, safe medication injection practices, specific infectious diseases including diseases of high consequences, outbreak management and other related healthcare issues.
• c.) Monitors healthcare staff and environments to ensure proper hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, sterilization of equipment, environmental risks and adherence to isolation precautions. These measures are essential in reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
• d.) Understand's and ensures implementation of manufacturer's "instructions for use" for equipment or products used for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization.
• e.) Monitors and evaluates the efficacy of infection prevention and control strategies.
• f.) Provided Just-in-Time education and coaching to healthcare staff, as needed to ensure understanding of infection prevention protocols.

Outbreak Identification and Response

• An Infection preventionist play a crucial role in coordinating the investigation and response in the event of an outbreak.
• a.) Uses data to identify risks to the health care continuum from threats related to domestic and international travel.
• b.) Provides confirmation of an outbreak through literature review, establishing a case definition, using case finding methodology, preparing a line list, evaluating the environment and guiding sampling, if needed.
• c.) Collaborates with public health officials, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to investigate the outbreak, implement control measures, and communicate updates to the relevant parties.
• d.) Notifies appropriate stakeholders of ongoing issues or concerns.

Policy Development and Application

• An Infection preventionist is involved in the development and revision of infection control and prevention policies and procedures.
• a.) Uses resources to remain updated with regulatory standards and evidenced based guidelines.
• b.) Ensure staff members are educated on infection prevention practices and that necessary precautions that are taken to maintain patient safety.
• c.) Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to assist with policy and procedure development.
• d.) Continuously evaluates the need for revision of infection control policies to ensure their effectiveness in preventing infections and maintaining a safe environment.

Conducting Infection Risk Assessments

• An Infection Preventionist evaluates different healthcare areas to identify potential areas of concern, high-risk procedures, or vulnerable patient populations.
• a.) Participates in annual risk assessments to capture current and potential future infection risks.
• b.) Assists in prioritizing likihood of occurrence and potential for harm.
• c.) Uses the risk assessment process to plan effective mitigation strategies to eliminate or reduce the transmission of pathogens and address more advanced situations, such as managing outbreaks of novel pathogens, pathogens of consequence, staff safety, environmental considerations such as special locations, water management plans, construction-related concerns, food handling safety, and equipment management.
• d.) Evaluates the effectiveness of mitigation measures and makes adjustments as needed, ensuring ongoing compliance with infection control protocols.

Professional Stewardship

• An Infection Preventionist collaborates to ensure effective management of resources and prevention of adverse outcomes.
• a.) Participates in the antimicrobial stewardship program by identifying and detecting MDROs, reporting surveillance trends over time, using surveillance data (i.e., treating asymptomatic bacteriuria, collecting contaminated specimens), and analyzing antibiograms and antibiotic use.
• b.) Collaborates with ID specialists to develop protocols for testing, including proper specimen collection techniques to optimize results and prevent over or under usage of resources.
• c.) Collaborates with Team Health and Wellness to develop vaccination protocols for healthcare staff.
• d.) Collaborates with local, state and national public health agencies to prevent the spread of pathogens in the community.
• e.) Acts as an advocate for patients, family members and caregivers by providing education on infection prevention protocols and safety measures.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

• Required: Baccalaureate degree in nursing public health, epidemiology, clinical laboratory, medical technology, or related field
• Preferred: Master's degree in nursing, public health, or related field

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:

• Preferred: 2 years experience in infection prevention, healthcare, epidemiology, or related field

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Basic understanding of Infection Prevention strategies, Certification in Infection Control (CIC), awarded by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) within 5 year

LICENSES REGISTRATIONS &/or CERTIFICATIONS

If Yes, first list licenses, then registrations and then certifications in table below. List any certifications and licenses required to perform this position.

REQUIRED (e.g. RN in state employed)