Infection Preventionist

Kent Hospital; Warwick (RI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Care New England Health System in Rhode Island is seeking an Infection Preventionist to plan, coordinate, and implement a hospital-wide infection prevention program. The IP conducts daily surveillance, collaborates with staff, develops policies, and educates teams to protect patients and staff from infections.

The role includes reviewing admissions and lab data, conducting rounds, and supporting regulatory readiness with TJC, state health departments, and CMS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• 5–7 years of healthcare experience; infection prevention/controls experience required.
• RI RN licensure required for nursing degree holders.
• CIC certification preferred; encouraged to achieve within two years.
• Advanced knowledge in aseptic techniques and infection prevention procedures.
• Knowledge of cleaning, sanitation, waste management and sterilization techniques.
• Computers and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Strong data collection and management skills.
• Commitment to continuing education and professional development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Reviews daily admissions for infectious disease/nosocomial infections.
• Reviews microbiology lab reports and enters data.
• Conducts surveillance rounds on nursing units.
• Performs retrospective chart reviews for documentation.
• Educates employees on infection prevention and control.
• Consults with physicians and nursing staff regarding infections.
• Reports infectious disease cases to RI Department of Health.
• Supports regulatory surveys and preparedness activities.
• Investigates employee infections/exposures with Occupational Health.
• Investigates outbreaks and manages exposures.
• Develops, reviews, and implements infection prevention policies.
• Analyzes trends to identify prevention opportunities.
• Performs Infection Control Risk Assessments for construction projects.
• Keeps informed of current infection prevention techniques.
• Participates in on-call rotation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Infection prevention

Data collection

Verbal and written communication

Computer proficiency

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

RN licensure (RI)

CIC certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

The Infection Preventionist (IP) helps to plan, coordinate and implement a hospital-wide program for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections. The IP performs daily infection prevention and control surveillance activities. They monitor infection control practices in all hospital departments and collaborate with the frontline staff to enhance infection control practices. They develop policies and procedures to protect patients and staff from nosocomial infections. The IP educates hospital staff at all levels concerning infection prevention and control and work with Occupational Health to investigate cases of employee infection and exposures. They also report infectious disease cases to RI Department of Health.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Reviews daily list of patient admissions for diagnoses indicative of infectious disease and/or nosocomial infection.
• Reviews all microbiology/lab reports daily and enters appropriate information in computer.
• Conducts patient surveillance rounds on nursing units.
• Performs retrospective chart review in the electronic medical record for documentation regarding healthcare acquired l infections and for special studies.
• Provides input and education of employees regarding infection prevention and control.
• Consults with physicians and/or nursing staff regarding patient infections.
• Reports infectious disease cases to RI Department of Health.
• Supports hospital-wide infection prevention regulatory preparedness activities, including surveys performed by The Joint Commission (TJC), state health department, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
• Collaborates with Occupational Health for investigation of Employee infections/exposures.
• Investigates suspected outbreaks, clusters and provides exposure management
• Develops, reviews, revises, and implements policies and procedures.
• Analyzes trends and interprets data to identify risks and opportunities for prevention.
• Independently and routinely performs Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs) for construction and maintenance projects.
• Keeps informed of current techniques and practice in the field.
• Participates in on-call rotation.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree Required, Master's Degree Preferred; Field of study: nursing, medical technology or other healthcare related.
• Minimum 5 to 7 Years of healthcare experience preferred. Experience in infection prevention or infection control related activities required.
• Rhode Island Registered Nurse (RN) licensure required for individuals with a nursing degree.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) highly preferred and strongly encouraged to achieve within two years.
• Advanced knowledge in aseptic techniques and infection prevention and control procedures.
• Knowledge and thorough understanding of general cleaning, sanitation, waste management, and sterilization techniques.
• Knowledge of hospital nursing practices, surgical nursing techniques, medical terminology, and applied mathematics as they relate to infection prevention activities.
• Proficient in use of computers and Microsoft Office programs.
• Skilled in data collection and management.
• Commitment to continuing education and professional development.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

About Us

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, is a trusted, integrated health care organization that fuels the latest advances in medical research, attracts the nation’s top specialty-trained doctors, hones renowned services and innovative programs, and engages in the important discussions people need to have about their health and end-of-life wishes. Care New England is helping to transform the future of health care, providing a leading voice in the ongoing effort to ensure the health of the individuals and communities we serve.

EEO Statements

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.