Infection Preventionist

100 LCMC Health; Ardmore (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

LCMC Health is seeking an Infection Preventionist to lead infection prevention and control projects in our hospital. This role focuses on surveillance of patient records, education on infection control, performance improvement, and data analysis to reduce hospital-acquired infections.

The position requires collaboration with physicians, nurses, and staff; strong knowledge of NHSN and epidemiology principles; and experience with electronic medical records, preferably Epic.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing or health-related field; Master’s enrollment within first year.
• CIC certification to be obtained within 3 years of hire.
• Experience with NHSN data reporting and infection control principles.

Responsibilities

• Surveillance of hospital-acquired infection rates using SPC methods and NHSN submission.
• Lead performance improvement activities to monitor, measure, and reduce HACs.
• Plan and deliver education programs for all hospital staff and contractors.
• Develop and enforce infection prevention policies in line with standards.

Skills

Infection control knowledge

NHSN familiarity

EMR navigation

Epic experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing or related health field

Master's program enrollment within first year

CIC certification within 3 years

Tools

Epic EMR system

Job description

Overview

Your job is more than a job. The Infection Preventionist works on infection prevention and control projects at the hospital. These projects include active surveillance of patient records, providing training and education related to infection control and quality assurance, monitoring compliance through observations, audits, checklists, etc., reviewing and analyzing infection control data, assessing risk factors, and as needed, performing special studies that relate to infection prevention and control.

Responsibilities

• Surveillance: Evaluates hospital-acquired infection rates using a statistical process control methodology. Submits data to the National Healthcare Safety Network. Reports to public health agencies as required by law. Performs infection control environment of care (EOC) rounding. Develops, implements approved epidemiologic protocols for investigating, controlling hospital epidemics, other hospital-acquired infections and is responsive to unanticipated exposures and outbreaks.
• Performance Improvement: Performs an annual assessment and develops action plans from the prior year activities. Establishes, implements, and administers departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures. Participates in quality/performance improvement activities by assessing, monitoring, measuring hospital acquired infections and evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis. Assists in preparation of reports and statistical data for the infection control committee, medical staff committees, medical executive committee, administration, and other committees as needed.
• Education/Consultation: Plans, organizes, develops, and implements educational programs for all hospital employees including contract staff, volunteers, administrative, and ancillary services which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase employee awareness of hospital acquired infections. Demonstrates techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for hospital employees and patients. Interacts with physicians, nurses, department managers, supervisors, occupational health, and other professional/non-professional staff members to provide resource information, resolve infection control problems, and identify new opportunities to improve service and reduce costs. Makes recommendations regarding construction, renovation, and environmental rounds and assures compliance with national and/or professional standards. Triages infection control questions and issues where policies do not exist.
• Policy Development: Develops and enforces effective policies and procedures for the department and hospital that ensure compliance with TJC, OSHA, CDC, CMS, and other state and federal regulatory agencies.

Experience/Qualifications

Required: None

Preferred: Experience in Infection control in a clinical setting

Education Qualifications

Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or Health related science field. Must enroll in Master’s program within first year of hire if applicant does not have upon hire.

Preferred: Master’s Degree

Licenses and Certifications

Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) must be obtained within 3 years of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Specialized training and a basic knowledge of infection control principles, practices, infection prevention and control standards and epidemiological principles. Familiarity with NHSN requirements is essential. Maintains state license and continuing education requirements commensurate with position. Must have strong familiarity navigating the electronic medical record. Preferred: working knowledge with Epic.

Reporting Relationships

Does this position formally supervise employees? No

Functional Demands

Sedentary: Very light physical requirements- Sedentary Work; Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. Sitting for most of the time; may involve walking or standing for brief periods. See detailed physical demands in original description if needed for compliance.

Sensory Requirements

• Near Vision - Accurate 20/40
• Far Vision - Accurate 20/40
• Color Discrimination - Yes
• Depth Perception - Accurate
• Hearing - Accurate

Occupational Exposure Risk Potential

• Bloodborne pathogens - Not Anticipated
• Chemical - Reasonably Anticipated
• Airborne communicable diseases - Reasonably Anticipated
• Extreme temperatures - Not Anticipated
• Radiation - Reasonably Anticipated
• Uneven surfaces or elevations - Reasonably Anticipated
• Extreme noise levels - Not Anticipated
• Dust/particulate matter - Reasonably Anticipated
• Other (List) - Not Anticipated

Population Served

• Neonate/Infant up to 1 year: Yes
• Youth (1yr to 15 yrs): Yes
• Adult (16 and up): Yes

Work Shift

Days (United States of America)

LCMC Health is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Note

The above job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. LCMC Health reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.