Infection Preventionist, Non-License

Amberwell Health; Atchison (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Amberwell Health in Atchison, KS is seeking an Infection Preventionist to lead surveillance and prevention activities across the facility. This role focuses on identifying, investigating, and reporting healthcare-associated infections, while aligning with CDC guidelines and APIC recommendations.

The position emphasizes data generation and analysis of key quality indicators, collaboration with teams, and education for staff, patients, and visitors to sustain infection prevention programs.

Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare infection prevention and control.
• Experience with surveillance data collection and regulatory reporting.
• Education in nursing or healthcare required; APIC certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor for HAIs and report infectious diseases.
• Analyze surveillance data and maintain records for regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with departments to implement infection prevention strategies.
• Provide education on hand hygiene and infection prevention practices.
• Assist in maintaining readiness for state, federal, and accrediting surveys.

Skills

HAI surveillance

Infection prevention

Regulatory compliance

Data collection and analysis

Hand hygiene education

Interdepartmental collaboration

Education

Nursing or Healthcare degree

Tools

APIC Guidelines

CDC Guidelines

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Amberwell Atchison - Atchison, KS 66002

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 2 Year Degree

Travel Percentage: Travel Between Amberwell Locations

Job Shift: Day

Job Category: Quality and Risk Management

The Infection Preventionist is a key member of the Quality and Risk team. The Infection Preventionist is responsible for identifying, investigating, monitoring, and reporting healthcare associated infections as well as all NHSN reporting requirements. Collaborate with regional APIC groups to learn best practices in Infection Prevention and CDC guideline updates. The Infection Preventionist will work with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies. The Infection Preventionist supports the Organization’s Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Plan and the Infection Prevention Plan by providing education, surveillance, data generation, and analysis of key quality indicators. This position requires a variety of activities with varying degrees of complexity, autonomy, high degree of accuracy, factual dependability, and independent thinking. The Infection Preventionist interfaces with health care professionals in all patient care areas and must be able to communicate effectively and professionally in all situations. Responsible for maintaining an infection surveillance, prevention and control program based on the organization's risk assessment and plan, in accordance with state, federal, and other reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitors patients for the occurrence of communicable diseases, HAIs, and resistant and epidemiologically important organisms.
• Monitors infectious diseases and epidemiologically significant organisms occurring in the community via laboratory reports and public health reports.
• Monitors cleaning processes throughout the facility, including high level disinfection and sterilization procedures.
• Collects, manages and analyzes surveillance data using standardized methodology and defined criteria.
• Maintains departmental records to be in compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• Reports surveillance/laboratory data, findings and analyses to the appropriate committees, patient care units, personnel, and external agencies.
• Identifies and evaluates clusters of infections and potential outbreaks, investigates and implements control measures.
• Recommends isolation precautions according to the organization's policies and procedures.
• Assists in developing and maintaining evidence-based infection prevention and control policies and protocols in accordance with regulatory, government and accrediting/licensing agency requirements and recommendations of relevant professional organizations.
• Evaluates products, devices and equipment relating to infection prevention and control.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficacy of infection prevention and control strategies.
• Collaborates with other departments throughout the facility to design and implement strategies to prevent HAIs and transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms and other epidemiologically important organisms.
• Investigates exposures to communicable disease and initiates appropriate measures to prevent the transmission of disease.
• Collaborates with occupational health personnel on matters such as exposure management and immunization.
• Participates in orientation programs and required annual education programs.
• Develops or obtains educational materials and programs, as needed, for personnel, patients and visitors.
• Provides education on hand hygiene, aseptic technique, infection prevention and control strategies, antiseptics and disinfectants, specific infectious diseases, and other related health care issues.
• Works with facilities management and other personnel to evaluate infection risks associated with renovation and construction projects and identify control measures.
• Assists the organization to evaluate and maintain readiness for state, federal, and accrediting agency surveys.
• Must be available for consultation and response during evenings, weekends, or holidays in the event of suspected or confirmed infectious disease outbreaks or other urgent infection prevention matters.

Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum Required Experience: recent healthcare related experience.
• Experience: Preferred Experience: 2 years recent hospital experience; infection preventionist experience highly preferred.
• Education: Minimum Required Education: Nursing or Healthcare related degree.
• Education: Preferred Education: Nursing or Healthcare related.
• Licenses: Minimum Required Licenses: none
• Licenses: Preferred Licenses: Nursing or Healthcare
• Certifications: Minimum Required: none
• Certifications: Preferred Certifications: APIC Certification