Infection Preventionist PRN WMCG

2310 AU Medical Center, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellstar Health System is seeking an Infection Preventionist (IP) I to join our team. The IP will perform hospital-based surveillance, rounding, and contribute to quality initiatives under the Infection Prevention Manager and system-level leadership.

Responsibilities include applying NHSN definitions, reporting, and coaching staff to ensure regulatory compliance. Minimum education is a Bachelor's in Public Health (Masters preferred).

Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Excellent teamwork and relationship building.
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic principles of epidemiology, surveillance, data collection and analysis.
• Personal time management skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Surveillance for healthcare-associated infections and epidemiologically significant organisms using NHSN definitions.
• Collects, aggregates and analyzes data; inputs data accurately to NHSN.
• Participates in environment of care rounds and IP-related corrective actions.
• Educates staff, patients and visitors on infection prevention practices; maintains HIPAA compliance.

Job description

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift Day (United States of America)

Job Summary:

The Infection Preventionist (IP)I is a professional who functions under the direction of the Infection Prevention Manager at the hospital location or AVP/ED/Dir of Quality, with a matrix relationship to the Executive Director of Infection Prevention at the system level. Responsibilities include but are not limited to hospital surveillance, rounding, and associated activities by identifying risks that could influence healthcare associated infections within the facility, perform written reporting when rounding through facility and Hospital Outpatient Departments (HOD) with approved tracer tools. Participate in the development of quality initiatives related to Infection Prevention. Learn and implement the fundamentals of HAI (Healthcare Associated Infection) surveillance and reporting per regulatory standards. Learn and implement rounding for completing a PCRA/ICRA during construction and renovation projects. Apply regulatory HAI definitions (NHSN/CDC) when performing assigned computer-based surveillance. Additional responsibilities include providing input on relevant policies and procedures, conducting risk assessments, ensuring adequacy of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices, educating, and coaching staff, patients, and visitors, and assuring regulatory compliance in all aspects of infection surveillance, prevention, and control.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Surveillance

• Conducts surveillance for healthcare associated infections and epidemiologically significant organisms as specified in the Infection Prevention Plan.
• Utilizes current NHSN definitions and applies them consistently.
• Collects, aggregates and analyzes data.
• Accurate NHSN data input
• Consistently and proficiently runs validation reports through NHSN
• Participate in internal and external validation of data
• Confirms and investigates potential clusters and outbreaks
• Participates in environment of care (EOC) rounds and oversees IP-related corrective actions.
• Facilitates activities to ensure compliance with Hand Hygiene and Isolation Compliance Reporting and Communicating
• Maintains confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
• Maintains accurate surveillance records and enters data into repositories.
• Reports diseases to local and state public health authorities as required by law.
• Submits internal and external data according to established deadlines.
• Analyzes information to develop knowledge for appropriate dissemination.

Education

• Develops and delivers staff education programs.
• Provides patient and family education of infection prevention practices as requested by clinical caregivers.
• Provides Infection Prevention orientation for hospital team members.

Leadership

• Collaborates with Manager to review and implement system policies and procedures.
• Utilizes resources to respond to the questions and needs of the organization.
• Maintains regulatory and accreditation compliance.
• Collaborates with Employee Health regarding healthcare worker exposure and illness prevention.
• Assists Manager in annual risk assessment, goal development and surveillance plan evaluation.
• Contributes to the evaluation of new products. Performs other duties as assigned

Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

Bachelors Public Health or Masters Public Health-Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):

CIC - Cert in Infection Control Upon Hire Preferred

Required Minimum Experience:

Minimum 2 years experienced in healthcare setting

Required and Minimum 1 year experience in infection prevention practice Preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

Strong verbal and written communication. Excellent teamwork and relationship building. Demonstrated knowledge of basic principles of epidemiology, surveillance, data collection and analysis. Personal time management skills are required.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more. Nationally ranked and locally recognized for our high-quality care and inclusive culture, Wellstar is one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems. Every day, 24,000+ of us work together to provide personalized care for patients at every age and stage of life – and our team members are the foundation of that care.

Mission, Vision & Values

At a time when the healthcare industry is changing rapidly, Wellstar remains committed to exceeding patients’ and team members’ expectations, while transforming healthcare delivery. OUR MISSION: To enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. OUR VISION: Deliver world-class healthcare to every person, every time. OUR VALUES: We serve with compassion We pursue excellence We honor every voice Culture of Excellence Wellstar consistently receives attention and accolades from national organizations that set the standards for world-class care. Our system-wide practice of safety principles, assessing and addressing errors and seeking feedback from our patients and customers continually earns recognition for advances in safety and quality. Featured on the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list and Seramount 100 Best Companies list, we not only provide top-notch care for our patients, but also foster the culture of Wellstar as a Great Place to Work.

Culture of Excellence

Wellstar consistently receives attention and accolades from national organizations that set the standards for world-class care.