Infection Control And Prevention Specialist

The Infection Control and Prevention Specialist PRN is responsible for advising and consulting regarding infection prevention and control activities for the organization, including assisting with training, competency assessment, surveillance, and audits. Advises regarding compliance and coordination with CDC, county, and state health departments, as well as compliance with Joint Commission (JC) standards, CMS, OSHA, HRSA, and state regulations, outbreak investigation, and overall direction of the infection prevention and control program.

The Infection Control and Prevention Specialist may work onsite at a primary location or multiple locations based on business needs.

Essential Duties

• Advises to ensure that all personnel involved in infection control activities are appropriately trained and competent in infection control and coordinates the organization’s on-going surveillance of established infection control practices/procedures.
• Supports the standardization of infection control practices through Central Health’s network of health centers/operations.
• As directed, may participate in and/or lead committees related to and directly impacted by infection control.
• Acts as a resource for team members and leaders for all infection control related activities.
• Makes recommendations regarding real or potential problems and improvement activities, including appropriate and cost effective solutions to resolve them.
• Maintains documentation of surveillance and audit activities.
• Responsible for advisement, consultation and development of Infection Control Program.
• Collaborates and works with the Employee Health Nurse to provide direction regarding team member health issues, such as exposures, communicable diseases, or other infection prevention or control related issues.
• Responsible for consulting regarding maintenance and updating the organization’s Infection Control Manual.
• Supports organizational quality improvement initiatives with data support, analysis, and internal consulting.
• Consults and advises about the infection prevention orientation and other in-service programs related to infection prevention.
• Assists with ensuring that the organization’s Infection Control Program conforms with CDC guidelines and recommendations and other accrediting or regulatory standards and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Complies with the organization’s core values.
• Collaborates and reports to appropriate agencies and regulatory agencies.
• Advises and assists with policies and procedures that support key infection prevention and control functions.
• Assists with processes to identify, investigate, and report health care associated infections among patients and team members.
• Performs direct competency assessments of Infection Control Program Trainers and Competency Reviewers/Auditors.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical tools for analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret contracts, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to effectively present verbal and/or written information.
• Ability to write reports and other forms of correspondence.
• Computer and systems competency in the following areas: Enters data, retrieves data, assembles and organizes data, uses and analyzes data. Integrates diverse sources of data.
• Ability to create and interpret various charts and graphs to present in understandable format.
• Knowledge of CDC, county, and state health departments rules and regulations, as well as JC, CMS, OSHA, HRSA, and state-regulations.
• Demonstrates leadership, creativity, and management skills.
• Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Knowledge and skills of applying quality improvement tools and techniques including statistical process control.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills necessary to interact in a professional manner with customers.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, rates and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs).
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.

People Management/Department Management/Business Unit Management:

• Advises, consults, develops and assists with implementing Infection Control initiatives, goals and programs.
• Responds proactively to employee needs and concerns.
• Adheres to all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Assists with developing, implementing, and overseeing infection control processes and programs to meet and support the departmental and organizational strategic plan.
• Assists with strategies to minimizes staff turnover.
• Consults about and develops “experts” and “expertise” within the Infection Control Program team as directed, and seeks employee input.
• Supports evaluation of assigned staff performance and competency, providing direct feedback.
• Assesses learning needs, develops competency plans and provides opportunities for learning.
• Facilitates consensus among divergent groups.
• Assists with selection of personnel for hire and promotion and helps to direct, support and coach.
• Acknowledges and rewards employees’ strengths and accomplishments.

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or equivalent degree.
PREFERRED EDUCATION:
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

• Five (5) years of experience in Infection Control and Prevention.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE: Holds and maintains these certifications as a professional. Lapsing/expiration of these certifications/licensure will result in suspension of work:

Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from APIC or CBIC