Infection Preventionist - Hybrid - Greater Seattle Area Only

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here's your opportunity. We're going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us and help people live healthier lives while doing your life's best work.(sm)

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of the Optum Washington infection prevention and control program, in collaboration with the Medical Directors and Quality and Patient Safety leaders to include creation of necessary policies and procedures, education and training of teammates and clinicians, and to ensure compliance with national standards

The Infection Preventionist will be assuming direct responsibility for infection surveillance, infection reporting, and provision of infection prevention and control technical support and education for Optum Washington teammates based at The Polyclinic and The Everett Clinic The Infection Preventionist will also provide leadership, guidance and professional expertise in the development, implementation and administration of appropriate, cost-effective Infection Prevention and Control strategies including standardization of practice The Infection Preventionist also provides oversight to ensure the clinic meets and maintains current requirements for the infection prevention activities in healthcare for the protection of patients The Infection Preventionist also consults with and provides support to ASC Infection Control and Prevention program

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and update relevant Infection Control and Prevention resources
• Solid facilitation, coaching and problem-solving skills that enables teams to understand how to improve and work towards common goals
• Act as a resource in the identification and rectification of infection control issues and action steps
• Participate in infection control activities such as lectures, conferences, and other educational activities/trainings
• Review laboratory reports and document possible communicable disease issues with affected areas
• Develop, implement, and evaluate infection control policies, procedures and practices that are scientifically based and consistent with national infection control standards
• Educate individuals/small groups regarding adherence to principles of infection control precautions as indicated to reduce healthcare associated infection risk and initiation of transmission-based precautions
• Coordinate Infection Control projects
• Conduct infection control audits and education on infection prevention and control topics such as standard precautions, aseptic technique, antiseptics and disinfectants, specific infectious diseases, environment of care, hand hygiene and other related health care issues
• Conduct annual risk assessment with consideration of served populations, regional vulnerabilities, relevant statistical data, in the clinic-based healthcare environment
• Assist with infection control services for patient care areas by applying epidemiologic principles to decrease patient risk for infection with a focus on a timely and cost-effective response
• Represent Infection Control and Prevention in various committees
• Ensure chemicals and cleaning processes for all clinical devices utilized in therapeutic or diagnostic procedures meet infection control standards
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Ability to work with diverse groups, present publicly, communicate effectively with key stakeholders, lead meetings and coach teams through challenges and achieving their goals
• Participate in quality assurance and quality improvement activities, with attendance at appropriate meetings
• Participate in the development of specific action steps to prevent any future infection control issues
• Collect, record, and analyze data on healthcare associated infections based on facility needs, devise target areas for healthcare associated infection surveillance, and make recommendations for control measures or interventions
• Assist in development and administration of follow-up monitoring procedures for patients and employees who are exposed to communicable diseases

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Current Washington state license, where applicable
• Education, training, experience, or certification in infection control
• Primary professional training in nursing, medical technology, microbiology, epidemiology, or other related field; and completion of specialized training in infection prevention and control
• Full COVID-19 vaccination is an essential job function of this role. Candidates located in states that mandate COVID-19 booster doses must also comply with those state requirements. UnitedHealth Group will adhere to all federal, state and local regulations as well as all client requirements and will obtain necessary proof of vaccination, and boosters when applicable, prior to employment to ensure compliance. Candidates must be able to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors, Masters or PhD
• Certified by the National Certification Board of Infection Control or eligible for certification within 3 years of hire

To protect the health and safety of our workforce, patients and communities we serve, UnitedHealth Group and its affiliate companies require all employees to disclose COVID-19 vaccination status prior to beginning employment. In addition, some roles and locations require full COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, as an essential job function. UnitedHealth Group adheres to all federal, state and local COVID-19 vaccination regulations as well as all client COVID-19 vaccination requirements and will obtain the necessary information from candidates prior to employment to ensure compliance. Candidates must be able to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Failure to meet the vaccination requirement may result in rescission of an employment offer or termination of employment

Careers at OptumCare. We're on a mission to change the face of health care. As the largest health and wellness business in the US, we help 58 million people navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being goals. Fortunately, we have a team of the best and brightest minds on the planet to make it happen. Together we're creating the most innovative ideas and comprehensive strategies to help heal the health care system and create a brighter future for us all. Join us and learn why there is no better place to do your life's best work.(sm)

OptumCare is committed to creating an environment where physicians focus on what they do best: care for their patients. To do so, OptumCare provides administrative and business support services to both owned and affiliated medical practices which are part of OptumCare. Each medical practice part and their physician employees have complete authority with regards to all medical decision-making and patient care. OptumCare’s support services do not interfere with or control the practice of medicine by the medical practices or any of their physicians.

Washington Residents Only: The salary range for Washington residents is $67,800 to $133,100. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.