Sr Infection Preventionist

Phoenix Children's Hospital; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Phoenix Children's Hospital is seeking a Senior Infection Preventionist to partner with the leadership team to reduce infection risk and drive top-decile performance in key measures. The role leads improvement initiatives, mentors staff, and applies adult learning principles to education strategies across the organization.

The incumbent will oversee surveillance using electronic tools, interpret data for actionable insights, and report findings to NHSN, while collaborating with medical and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in infection prevention and control.
• Strong knowledge of surveillance methods and data interpretation.
• Familiarity with NHSN reporting and infection-control practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead surveillance activities and report healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
• Develop and implement infection prevention strategies with leadership and clinical teams.
• Educate staff and develop training materials on infection prevention and control.

Job description

Position Summary

A Senior Infection Preventionist at Phoenix Children's collaborates with the leadership team, quality, medical and nursing staff to develop strategies to reduce the risk of infections and achieve top decile performance for key infection prevention measures. Initiates and leads teams to address improvement efforts across the organization. Demonstrates expertise in infection prevention core competencies—prevention, surveillance, and control. Performs surveillance by utilizing available electronic tools to collect data, applying critical thinking to interpret the data, and submitting reliable data to the National Healthcare Surveillance Network (NHSN). Able to apply adult learning principles to educational strategies, materials, and presentations. The Senior Infection Preventionist must be self-directed and self-motivating, plans and conducts work with minimal direction. This role also serves as a mentor to the team and provides feedback and guidance for professional development.

Position Duties

• Conducts surveillance activities
  a. Applies standardized case finding methods to HAI (healthcare-associated infection) definitions, expanding surveillance principles to diverse populations.
  b. Skilled at using NHSN (National Healthcare Surveillance Network) to report HAIs and able to validate NHSN surveillance conducted by others.
  c. Independently performs electronic surveillance and applies data mining principles for comprehensive reporting.
  d. Applies principles of information management to emerging technology.
  e. Uses advanced statistical tools (SIR, P values and standard deviation).
  f. Provides reports to stakeholders in the form of graphic data displays.
  g. Understands rate comparison and benchmarking and can integrate analysis into strategic programs for Phoenix Children's.
  h. Initiates collaborative efforts around process improvements identified from surveillance outcomes.
  i. Serves as a leader to coordinate and aggregate pertinent data that is focused, succinct and effective for use by leadership.
  j. Proactively assesses program, service, and functional effectiveness.


• Manages daily infection prevention and control related activities
  a. Serves as an expert for internal projects and initiatives using evidence-based protocols and best practice from other national initiatives.
  b. Uses professional judgement and decision-making skills to prioritize work, initiatives, and streamline processes.
  c. Utilizes infection control electronic data-mining system to identify abnormal laboratory findings with infection prevention implications.
  d. Monitors and supports isolation activities.
  e. Possesses advanced knowledge of epidemiology and study design and conducts epidemiologic investigations.
  f. Uses literature review as a tool for learning best practices and can interpret research findings and identify study limitations and bias.
  g. Able to interpret research data and apply findings to current practice.
  h. Independently uses process improvement tools, utilizing approaches appropriate to stakeholder needs.
  i. Designs complex interventions, applying principles of change management and process improvement to daily operations and special projects.
  j. Writes Phoenix Children's policies and procedures based on understanding of regulatory / accreditation requirements and participates in local, regional, national policy review.
  k. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with staff and clinicians that enhance coordination, standardization, and continuity of infection prevention activities.
  l. Keeps abreast of public health issues that impact infection prevention activities.
  m. Collaborates with state and local public health agencies as needed.
  n. Leads and/or participates in goal planning activities and program assessment
  o. Works collaboratively with Infection Prevention and Control Committee to develop and monitor appropriate standards of care, policies and procedures, related systems, and processes to ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and laws.
  p. Works in a collaborative manner with all staff to create infection prevention projects, initiatives and work plan that address prevention as well as control of infections.
  q. Works professionally and collaboratively with medical staff and designated Infection Control Physicians.


• Provides education
  a. Effectively educates/presents to adult audiences using a variety of skills and techniques and has experience presenting to large audiences.
  b. Participates in mandatory infection prevention training of employees.
  c. Creates documents on infection related materials for patients and visitors.
  d. Develops educational materials, programs, training for RN staff, clinicians, and patients.
  e. Designs orientation and mandatory training for employees as it pertains to infection prevention and control practices.
  f. May design and manage the Infection Control webpage
  g. Develops, implements, and evaluates the effectiveness of a variety of employee health and wellness, injury, infection, and exposure prevention education programs collaboratively with Occupational Health and Safety.


• Performs miscellaneous job related duties as requested.

Phoenix Children's Mission, Vision, & Values

Mission
To advance hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families

Vision
Phoenix Children's will be the leading pediatric health system in the Southwest, nationally recognized for exceptional care, innovative research and advanced medical education.

We realize this vision by:

• Offering the most comprehensive care across ages, communities and specialties


• Investing in innovative research, including emerging treatments, tools and technologies


• Advancing education and training to shape the next generation of clinical leaders


• Advocating for the health and well‑being of children and families

Values

• We place children and families at the center of all we do


• We deliver exceptional care, every day and in every way


• We collaborate with colleagues, partners and communities to amplify our impact


• We set the standards of pediatric healthcare today, and innovate for the future


• We are accountable for making the highest quality care accessible and affordable