Description
The Infection Control Specialist coordinates the infection control program within each facility. The designated person is given the authority to implement and enforce the Surveillance, Prevention and Control Program policies, coordinate all infection prevention and control within the hospital and facilitate ongoing monitoring of the effectiveness of prevention and/or control activities and interventions. Responsible for assisting with decision making, program planning, and implementation of infection control delivery systems which promotes safety and well-being of all patients within the system.
Essential Job Functions
- Infection prevention and control practice - Incorporates into practice effective activities, including rounding of the assigned facilities, that are specific to the practice setting, the population served, and the continuum of care
- Surveillance - Uses a systematic approach to monitor the effectiveness of prevention and control strategies that are consistent with the organization's goals and objectives and are based on evidence based national epidemiological standards.
- Epidemiology – In concert with the Director of Infection Prevention, applies epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification and benchmarking, to identify target populations, determine risk factors, design prevention and control strategies, analyze trends, and evaluate processes.
- Education - Serves as an educator and educational resource for healthcare providers, ancillary staff, patients, families, and the general public.
- Consultation – In concert with the Director of Infection Prevention, provides knowledge and guidance in infection prevention, control, and epidemiology.
- Occupational health - Collaborates with Employee Health in the development of strategies that address the risk of disease transmission to healthcare providers and ancillary staff. Assists in follow-up of exposures.
- Performance improvement - Functions as an integral part of performance improvement initiatives to promote positive patient and employee outcomes. Works within the PDSA framework to assist in Quality improvement projects.
- Reporting – Completes all reportable findings accurately and on time to the State authorities; compiles reports for Infection Prevention, Patient Safety and Quality Committees and attends monthly/quarterly meetings.
Other Job Functions
- Attend staff meetings or other company sponsored or mandated meetings as required
- Travel to all facility locations as required
- Ability to work off-hours when required
- Perform additional duties as assigned
Basic Qualifications
- Associate degree or Bachelor degree preferred.
- Certification through Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology preferred.
- Registered nurse (RN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), epidemiologist, laboratory scientist or medical technologist (MT), preferred.
- Infection control experience, strongly preferred.
- Cognitive and technical knowledge and ability to progressively manage clinical care delivery, preferred.
- Knowledge and experience in patient care practices, microbiology, aseptic technique, disinfection/sterilization, adult education, infectious diseases, communication, program administration, and epidemiology, preferred.
- Knowledge of Federal, State and required regulatory agency standards related to health care organizations, preferred.
- Position requires fluency in English; written and oral communication
About Us
We are Emerus, the leader in small-format hospitals. We partner with respected and like-minded health systems who share our mission: To provide the care patients need, in the neighborhoods they live, by teams they trust. Our growing number of amazing partners includes Allegheny Health Network, Ascension, Baptist Health System, Baylor Scott & White Health, ChristianaCare, Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican, The Hospitals of Providence, INTEGRIS Health, MultiCare and WellSpan. Our innovative hospitals are fully accredited and provide highly individualized care. Emerus' commitment to patient care extends far beyond the confines of societal norms. We believe that every individual who walks through our doors deserves compassionate, comprehensive care, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. We are committed to fostering a work environment focused on teamwork that celebrates diversity, promotes equity and ensures equal access to information, development and opportunity for all of our Healthcare Pros.
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