Infection Preventionist – 36 hrs/wk

Job Summary: The Infection Preventionist (IP) will be responsible for developing identification and intervention strategies related to the prevention and control of nosocomial infections through staff and patient education, research, and prompt reporting of all findings to the Infection Control Committee. The Infection Preventionist and the Medical Review Committee will hold joint responsibility for devising, implementing, coordinating, and monitoring Quality Improvement issues in a timely manner. The IP will be responsible for prompt evaluation of surveillance data and for arbitrating all problems resulting from surveillance data results.

Essential Duties:

1. Assure that the Infection Control Program is facilitated and maintains achievable standards in accordance with APIC.
2. Acts as the New England Organ Bank Liaison.
3. Meet standards as outlined by Medical Review Committee.
4. Develop policies and procedures.
5. Monitor the effectiveness of Infection Control Program by the implementation of a Quality Management plan.
6. Maintain and trend statistics on nosocomial rates and specific organisms.
7. Identify hospital needs and potential hazards related to the prevention and control of infection.
8. Implement appropriate measures based on identified needs.
9. Assure reporting of infectious, communicable diseases to the appropriate authority.
10. Provide in-service education and staff development to CMC staff, patients, and families.
11. Interact with local, state, and national agencies.
12. Assume responsibility for self-education.
13. Provide services to CMC under the current Standards of Practice.
14. Actively participate on appropriate committees.
15. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural factors and age-specific competencies in regard to patient population served.
16. Perform related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates.
17. Concurrently collect data for submission to the external quality management entity.
18. Present significant trends to physician departmental meetings and QM/Patient Safety/Medical Review meetings on a quarterly basis.
19. Identify and report cases which meet criteria for peer review.
20. Conduct chart reviews for detail information not available on CPSI.

Education, Skills, Experience Requirements:

1. Have at least a bachelor’s degree and current license or registration as a Medical Technologist, Physician, NP or Registered Nurse.
2. Background in microbiology or epidemiology desirable.
3. Two years’ clinical experience.
4. APIC Certification in Infection Control preferred.
5. Strong interpersonal skills.
6. Leadership/ Supervisory experience necessary. Formal leadership training preferred.
7. Strong ability to proactively organize and problem solve.
8. Mathematical and Language Development: compute procedural totals and statistical data calculating variances; ability to read and understand instructions; written work shows proper format, punctuation, Spelling, and grammar; speaks with poise, voice control and confidence.
9. Maintains current BLS certification.