Infection Preventionist Jobs

Infection Preventionist

Job Code: IC1255

Full Time Days
0800 to 1700 plus rotating on call with the rest of the IP team. As we are a team, this role will periodically require travel to the northern hospitals, as well.

ABOUT US

We are welcoming a new era in healthcare where achieving good health is just the beginning. At UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper, we believe in caring for the whole person by getting to know – and making connections with – our patients. By combining the talent and expertise of our people, the breadth of capabilities across our system, and our commitment to helping our communities get better and stay healthy, we are improving the patient experience.

As a UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper team member, you will have a voice in patient care decisions, support the most advanced medical technologies and feel a strong sense of satisfaction from making a difference in people’s lives every day.

JOB TYPE

Classification: Exempt

Supervises Positions: No

JOB SUMMARY

Actively coordinates day to day administration of the infection prevention program for assigned primary hospital and periodic surveillance at UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper system hospitals in accordance with current requirement of regulatory, government and accrediting/licensing agencies, local, state, and national health department agencies, and organizational policies and procedures.

General duties include rounding activities; surveillance for health care-associated infections (HAIs) and surgical site infections (SSIs); collection analysis and interpretation of surveillance data; potential exposure investigations; outbreak investigation; review and synthesis of manufacturer’s instructions for use; policy and procedure review and revisions; lead and facilitator of infection prevention meetings and focused topics; and overall program compliance and evaluation.

Patient Care: Interviews and advises patients regarding health and illness prevention.

• Synthesizes data to determine preliminary diagnosis and therapeutic plan utilizing principles of prevention.
• Recommends community resources to meet patient and family needs.

Quality: Collaborates with other departments or disciplines to achieve desired quality outcomes.

• Applies the principles of safety and infection control to ensure the safety of all patients.
• Monitors quality of core processes in department.

Communication: Demonstrates superior interpersonal and communication skills.

• Works within a team to achieve patient and team goals.
• Identifies opportunities to improve processes based on feedback from staff and customers.
• Participates in regular staff meetings.
• Shares and initiates regular and professional communication with co-workers.

Medical Knowledge: Provides primary health care and performs selective medical services under the direction of practice physicians.

• Establishes presumptive diagnosis.
• Obtains complete history and physical data on patients.
• Provides monitoring and continuity of care between physician visits.
• Reviews patient records.
• Orders appropriate laboratory and diagnostic procedures.
• Interprets and integrates data to determine appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures needed.
• Performs independent evaluations and treatment procedures in emergency situations.
• Performs a complete physical exam and records findings.

The incumbent may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 4 Year/Bachelor’s Degree Required - RN, Medical Technologist, Respiratory Therapist, Public Health, or comparable degree.

Experience: 3 Years of experience preferred - Minimum of three years of infection prevention experience. 3 Years of experience in nursing, microbiology, public health, medical technician, respiratory therapy, public health, or similar required. Refer to the Life Support Training Policy for additional details.

Licensure:

• Current Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) preferred.
• If CIC has not been obtained prior to hire, CIC must be obtained within 2 years of hire.

• Current RN, MT, or RT License Required; must maintain related license or certification as active. Requirement

Additional Skills/Requirements Required :

• Ability to successfully complete general and department-specific skills validation and competency testing; understands and uses personal computer. Demonstrates analytical skills i.e., interpret standardized infection and utilization ration data.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in written form. Ability to work flexible hours. Ability to manage multiple activities at one time. Advanced computer knowledge in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of data collection and analysis, navigation of hospital computer systems, problem solving, decision making, effective communication and conflict management skills. Ability to successfully work in an environment of high stress with rapidly changing priorities. Knowledge of human psychology with the ability to work with people in a very positive way under very difficult circumstances. Ability to evaluate and utilize interpersonal dynamics and effective communication styles to work with people in a very positive way under very difficult circumstances.
• Maintain membership in the Association of Professional in Infection control and Epidemiology at a state and national levels to provide opportunities for networking and education.

Additional Skills/Requirements Preferred : Knowledge of departmental and UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper computer system(s).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Demand Code: 20C, Nurse Educator

Work Function/Activity : Sedentary to Light Physical Demand

The job requires frequent sitting and standing, occasional walking, and bending/stooping. Frequent repetitive arm, hand, and finger movements. Proficient communicative, auditory, and visual skills. Attention to detail and ability to write legibly. Ability to lift/push/pull up to 20 lbs. occasionally. This job description may not include all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described. It may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of UVA Health Northern VA & Culpeper.

OTHER

• May require the use of safety equipment, such as HEPA mask, for infection prevention: Yes
• On call responsibilities as directed: Yes
• Ability to travel between campus buildings, remote facilities, and out of town as needed: Yes