Sr Infection Control Practitioner

Under the supervision of Director, this individual will be assigned to perform tasks including but not limited to conduct case review, perform patient and staff follow up, evaluate staff practice including but limited to nursing practice and other specialties as instructed, and serve as liaison between clinical nursing staff and Infection Control office. In the event of biological emergency preparedness and response, the individual will coordinate preparedness activities such as training staff on personal protective equipment use, product review, selection, and analysis, collaborating with unit leadership to define workflow and process steps. The individual will be part of team to prevent healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) by isolating sources of infections and limiting their spread; systematically collects, analyzes and interprets health data in order to plan, implement, evaluate and disseminate appropriate public health practices; and trains healthcare staff through instruction and dissemination of information on infection control practices. S/he can rapidly recognize and respond to emerging infectious diseases, outbreaks, and exposures. S/he serves a content expert in infection related matters and provides consultation to staff, patients, and visitors. S/he is responsible for ensuring full compliance of regulatory requirements in assigned areas (units, clinics, and/or projects).

Qualifications:Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree in nursing (BSN) (Required) Or
Master's Degree in epidemiology, microbiology, or a related field (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
4 years Minimum of four years of experience working in the field of infection prevention and control (Required) And
1 year Previous nursing experience working in Critical Care or Emergency Medicine in a pediatric and/or academic healthcare settings (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Basic knowledge and experience in clinical practice and hospital environment
Basic knowledge of statistics and epidemiologic methods
Proficient in using computer software such as Microsoft Office.
Excellent communication in both written and verbal and interpersonal skills with flexibility to meet a wide range of service needs.
Excellent time management skills.

Required Licenses and Certifications
Certification in Infection Control (CIC™) Upon Hire (Required)

Functional AccountabilitiesSurveillance - Case Identification, Reporting, and Responding

• Performs targeted surveillance defined by the Infection Control Committee in assigned patient care units/services.

• Reports communicable diseases to respective units/departments in CNMC and public health agencies and assists public health agencies for follow-ups

• Reviews microbiology reports daily to identify unusual disease pattern and promptly respond including but not limited to informing direct supervisor

• Conducts rounds in a frequency that enables the practitioners to effectively assess adherences to infection control practices in units/services

• Reports any variances to direct supervisor

• Promptly identifies and triages cases of epidemiological significant infection in assigned areas

• Assists in the development and institution of strategies to contain significant pathogens

• Ensures infection control databases are maintained in a timely fashion

• Applies evidence-based practice guidelines in assigned areas/units and implements effective prevention strategies to prevent infection.

• Identifies prevention opportunities and collaborates with appropriate staff to plan and implement prevention and control efforts.

• Responsible for ensuring full compliance of regulatory requirements in assigned areas (units, clinics, and/or projects).

• Responsible for early identification of unusual disease pattern, cluster and outbreak.

• Promptly responds to outbreak once identified.

• Responsible for instituting prevention measures for rapid remediation of outbreak in assigned areas.

• Participates in targeted infection control education initiatives.

• As assigned, develops and distributes appropriate education activities.

• Develops institutional protocols on planning and responding to agent-specific biological emergency situations

• Develops systematic training and education modules including disease and safe practice

• Trains hospital staff on safe use of Personal Protective Equipment

• Proactively plans and participates in drills conducted by individual services/units for readiness

• Participates in the development of workflow and processes to ensure infection control principles being incorporated for safe practice

• Proactively evaluates and assesses supply needs to ensure adequate supply on hand for response

• Serves as liaison between nursing and infection control to ensure delivery of safe patient care when special isolation unit is in operation

• Attend internal committee meetings and present information as assigned.

• Ensure own professional development through ongoing education and maintain all necessary certifications.

• Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization

• Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity

• Maintain confidentiality at all times

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met.

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others' ideas and opinions

• Contribute to a positive work environment
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