Infection Preventionist

Description

Job Description

PeaceHealth is seeking a fulltime Infection Preventionist to be onsite at our Springfield OR location. This position requires regional travel to nearby clinics; mileage will be reimbursed.

Job Summary

Assure that PeaceHealth implements best practices and processes to reduce and eliminate hospital acquired infections, incorporates appropriate vaccination and prevention strategies, and accurate methods of surveillance and reporting of infection rates. Accountable to achieve all PeaceHealth Infection Prevention goals. Ensures that PeaceHealth meets or exceeds all regulatory and accreditation requirements associated with infection control. Responsible, in collaboration with other health care team members, for the surveillance of healthcare acquired infections; educating caregivers about infection prevention; and developing policies and procedures to ensure rigorous infection prevention and control standards to reduce the risk of infection to patients, visitors, and caregivers. Assures compliance with external agency guidelines including accreditation bodies, OSHA, State Epidemiology and Public Health Department, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) requirements.

Essential Functions

• Implements operational strategies to prevent infections and prevent the spread of infectious illnesses. Develops and implements infection prevention strategies for patient care units and outpatient areas within scope of work. Participates in the development of the infection prevention program, and identification of action plans to reduce risk from hospital acquired infections.
• Develops and maintains a system standardized surveillance program, identifying patients who have health care acquired infections and communicable diseases.
• Provides expert resources on topics related to infection prevention.
• Regularly assesses the infection prevention practices of staff caring for patients. Provides education for caregivers on current infection prevention practices.
• Facilitates ongoing review and assists with updating and implementation of policies and procedures relating to infection prevention. Assures implementation of regulations as determined by federal, state, and accreditation agencies relative to infection prevention requirements.
• Collects, analyzes, and reports infection data based on risk assessment and regulatory requirements
• Identifies and implements infection prevention and control strategies re: hand hygiene, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization, risks associated with therapies and diagnostic procedures and devices, recalls, barrier precautions, use of patient care products and equipment, and the influx of patients with communicable diseases.
• Analyzes infections and may validate surveillance conducted by others.
• Consults with architects and facilities leaders for remodeling and new construction to assure designs meet or exceed infection prevention requirements and standards, and to prepare Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) for work to be done
• Assesses the environment of care. Implements control measures as indicated.
• Participates in the development of a risk assessment and plan in conjunction with state and local public health resources, other infection preventionists and supervisors.
• Takes actions as needed, in emergent situations to establish control and spread of outbreak.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree Required: Bachelor's in Public Health (Science or Arts) or
• Bachelor's Degree Required: Epidemiology or
• Bachelor's Degree Required: Nursing or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience in the field of infectious disease and prevention or
• Accredited Program Required: Medical Technology through the American Society for Clinical Pathology and
• Master's Degree Preferred: Masters of Nursing or
• Master's Degree Preferred: Master of Public Health or
• Master's Degree Preferred: Epidemiology
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years Required: Experience in a healthcare environment in Infection Prevention, Critical Care or similar role and
• Required: Experience and knowledge in infection prevention practices, microbiology, epidemiology and adult learning and
• Preferred: Leadership experience
  
  

Credentials

• Required: Certified in Infection Control . Credentialing is required within 24 months of taking the position, unless extension agreed up on by IP leadership and HR and
• Required: Upon Hire Maintain membership and active participation in the Association for Practitioners in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) or SHEA
  
  

Skills

• Proficient use of computers including MS Office applications (Required)
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written (Required)
• Ability to gather and organize data in a thorough and effective manner (Required)
• Excellent interpersonal skills (Required)
  
  

Department / Location Specific Notes

Resides within the community or system office as needed. Able to travel as required to support community infection prevention needs. This job does take on-call. Infection Preventionist will also perform the role of Quality Program Lead.

Working Conditions

Lifting

• Consistently operates computer and other office equipment.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Sedentary work.
  
  

Environmental Conditions

• Possible Exposure to biohazard, body fluids and airborne particles.
• Predominantly operates in an office environment.
• Some time spent on site in medical/hospital setting.
  
  

Mental/Visual

• Vision and hearing required within normal limits (glasses, contacts, hearing aids permitted).
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information.
  
  

The salary range for this job opening at PeaceHealth is $49.64 – $74.46. The hiring rate is dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to education, training, work experience, terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, seniority, etc.

PeaceHealth is committed to the overall wellbeing of our caregivers: physical, emotional, financial, social, and spiritual. We offer caregivers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. Some of the many benefits included in this package are full medical/dental/vision coverage; 403b retirement plan employer base and matching contributions; paid time off; employer-paid life and disability insurance with additional buyup coverage options; tuition and continuing education reimbursement; wellness benefits, and expanded EAP and mental health program.

See how PeaceHealth is committed to

For full consideration of your skills and abilities, please attach a current resume with your application. EEO Affirmative Action Employer/Vets/Disabled in accordance with applicable local, state or federal laws.