Infection Preventionist - Infection Control

As an Infection Preventionist, you provides for a safe environment where risks for infection are identified and minimized for patients, employees and visitors. This position acts as a liaison and resource person for Infection Prevention and Control and is accountable for management of all Infection Prevention and Control activities by providing environmental and case surveillance, data reporting, data analysis, practice consult and developing interventions aimed at reduction of healthcare-associated infections in patients, members, and workforce. Is responsible for surveillance, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of infections including healthcare associated infections (HAIs); investigation and response to outbreaks of infection amongst patients and/or healthcare workers; consultation to all PCNM delivery sites on Infection Prevention and Control practices; development of resources and education related to Infection Prevention and Control practices; and serving as a liaison with other entities within the Presbyterian Healthcare System and also the county and state health departments. This position will work with multidisciplinary departments to ensure prevention measures are in place and facilitates adherence with regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and other recommended or evidence-based practices aimed at prevention of infections including HAIs and other communicable infectious diseases encountered in the healthcare setting. Will ensure adherence to departmental policies and procedures and assists with the analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of Infection Prevention and Control clinical quality initiatives that promote Presbyterian Healthcare System clinical strategies and priorities.

Type of Opportunity: Full Time
FTE: 1.000000
Exempt: Yes
Work Schedule: Days

Education:
Essential:

• Bachelor Degree

Credentials:
Nonessential:

• Certification in Infection Control

Responsibilities:

• Participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures; identifies and recommends areas of improvement according to current standards of practice recommended by CDC, APIC, SHEA, AORN, or other credible professional organizations.
• Analysis, management, and presentation of IPC subject matter data including identifying critical performance issues, trending, and benchmarking of performance.
• Identifies and report/corrects environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk/harm.
• Understands how to systematically conduct surveillance of infections including HAIs and notifiable infections.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes.
• Assists the organization in remaining compliant to IPC regulatory requirements through surveillance, record review, rounds, education, reporting, policy revision, and data analysis.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams throughout PHS to design and implement strategies/interventions to decrease the impact of nosocomial infections across the continuum of care, which includes consultation for construction, delivery systems, system services, the medical group and health plan.
• Reviews and validates surveillance data and performs in-depth investigation of cases referred by the Surveillance Coordinator.
• Maintains ongoing communication with program leaders regarding status of performance measures, clinical initiatives, projects, and improvement opportunities to ensure quality outcomes and customer satisfaction.
• Demonstrates and maintains competency in IPC practice, evidence-based research and healthcare epidemiology.
• Leads, facilitates and participates on improvement teams related to HAIs, and/or relevant infection prevention and control process/practice initiatives.
• Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of appropriate IPC interventions.
• Able to interpret research data and apply findings to current practice.
• Reports potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner.
• Provides general support and performs other functions for IPC, as required.
• Conducts rounds on a regular basis within the hospital to review infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, identifies IPC gaps, provides feedback for staff and leaders on identified problems/compliance issues, and consults on IPC practice and solutions.
• Serves as lead facilitator on related HAI task forces and working groups to support IPC clinical improvement projects utilizing appropriate quality, process improvement, and project management tools.
• Monitors, reports, and assists in the systems compliance with national, state, county, and local health department rule and regulations pertinent to healthcare IPC. Assures a safe environment for patients, visitors, members, and staff.
• Maintains current and accurate knowledge of regulatory requirements.
• Follows patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols.
• Conducts Infection Prevention and Control Risk Assessments as determined by site-specific needs.
• Ensures the completion of audits regarding the implementation of and compliance with IPC practices.
• Serves as a member of the Infection Control Committee and as a member of other organizational committees in which the Infection Prevention and Control Department is assigned.
• Conducts communicable disease outbreak investigations occurring in the hospitals and clinics; coordinates management with healthcare team, Employee Health, and public health authorities as appropriate.
• Provides consultation and definition of exposure to employees who have been exposed to infectious diseases or agents. Consults with Employee Health and Infection Disease on post-exposure processes.
• Detects, investigates, summarizes findings, and assists with response to clusters or outbreaks in the healthcare setting.
• Understands principles of microbiology, environmental cleaning and disease transmission.
• Applies Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Health Safety Network HAI definitions and criteria to detect and track HAIs.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops.
• Serves as a knowledgeable and available resource on IPC practices and policies throughout PCNM.
• Assists with the development and implementation of processes that support standardization of the IPC program based upon evidence-based best practices, data collection, aggregation, analysis, and action planning.
• Provides education regarding the principles and techniques of infection prevention and control.
• Measures, analyzes, generates, and presents reports on IPC measures and patient outcomes to identify and prioritize areas for improvement.
• Recommends and implements transmission-based isolation practices and IPC policies and procedures.
• Provides input into Supply Chain system on evaluation, selection and implementation of products and equipment for clinical use or specifically for prevention of infection.

We offer more than the standard benefits!

Presbyterian employees gain access to a robust wellness program, including free access to our on-site and community-based gyms, nutrition coaching and classes, wellness challenges and more!

Learn more about our employee benefits:

https://www.phs.org/careers/why-work-with-us/benefits

Why work at Presbyterian?

As an organization, we are committed to improving the health of our communities. From hosting growers' markets to partnering with local communities, Presbyterian is taking active steps to improve the health of New Mexicans. For our employees, we offer a robust wellness program, including free access to our on-site and community-based gyms, nutrition coaching and classes, wellness challenges and more.

Presbyterian's story is really the story of the remarkable people who choose to work here. The hard work of our physicians, nurses, employees, board members and volunteers grew Presbyterian from a tiny tuberculosis sanatorium to a statewide healthcare system that serves more than 875,000 New Mexicans.

About Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Presbyterian Healthcare Services exists to improve the health of patients, members and the communities we serve. We are a locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, we are the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 employees - including more than 1,600 providers and nearly 4,700 nurses.

Our health plan serves more than 580,000 members statewide and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Centennial Care) and Commercial health plans.

About Our Regional Delivery System

Presbyterian's Regional Delivery System is a network of six hospitals and medical centers throughout rural New Mexico including locations in Clovis, Espanola, Ruidoso, Santa Fe, Socorro and Tucumcari. Our regional facilities are home to more than 1,600 clinical and non-clinical employees who help make Presbyterian the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 statewide employees. With a variety of services ranging from general surgery to pediatrics to heart and cancer care, our regional employees are proud to provide close-to-home care for their communities.

We are part of New Mexico's history - and committed to its future. That is why we will continue to work just as hard and care just as deeply to serve New Mexico for years to come.

About New Mexico

New Mexico continues to grow steadily in population and features a low cost-of living.

Varied landscapes bring filmmakers here from around the world to capture a slice of the natural beauty New Mexicans enjoy every day. Our landscapes are as diverse as our culture - from mountains, forests, canyons, and lakes, to caverns, hot springs and sand dunes.

New Mexico offers endless recreational opportunities to explore and enjoy an active lifestyle. Venture off the beaten path, challenge your body in the elements, or open yourself up to the expansive sky. From hiking, golfing and biking to skiing, snowboarding and boating, it's all available among our beautiful wonders of the west.

AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED. PHS is a drug-free and tobacco-free employer with smoke free campuses.