The Infection Preventionist will coordinate comprehensive organization-wide infection surveillance, prevention, and control program in accordance with current requirements of regulatory, government, and accrediting/licensing agencies and organizational policies and procedures. Duties include surveillance for health care-associated infections (HAIs); collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of surveillance data; outbreak investigation; and program evaluation.  Responsible for the day-to-day administration and development of the infection surveillance, prevention, and control program.  Communication skills within the multidisciplinary team are required to facilitate the role within both clinical practice, facility readiness for emergencies and construction.  Additional duties include assisting the Director of Quality and Risk with assignment of risk events and patient advocate duties.

Must have good interpersonal and leadership skills, ability to discuss, promote and explain programs, goals, policies and procedures with patients, employees, administrative staff, and medical staff. Must be of sound character and possess the highest ethical standards.

Essential Functions

Essential Function

Assist the Director of Infection Prevention with overall Infection Prevention Program

Assists with annual facility infection risk assessment, and whenever risks significantly change

Assists in developing a plan for infection surveillance, prevention, and control activities based on the facility risk assessment

Assists in maintaining an infection surveillance, prevention and control program based on the organization’s risk assessment and plan, in accordance with state, federal, and other reporting requirements

Collects, manages and analyzes surveillance data using standardized methodology and defined criteria for an HAI

Organizes and maintains surveillance data and records

Reports surveillance data, findings and analyses to the appropriate committees, patient care units, personnel, and external agencies

Monitors patients for the occurrence of communicable diseases, HAIs, and resistant and epidemiologically important organisms

Monitors infectious diseases and epidemiologically significant organisms occurring in the community via laboratory reports and public health reports

Identifies and evaluates clusters of infections and potential outbreaks

Assists in instituting an outbreak investigation and control measures as needed

Recommends isolation precautions according to the organization’s policies and procedures

Assists in developing evidence-based infection prevention and control policies and protocols in accordance with regulatory, government and accrediting/licensing agency requirements and recommendations of relevant professional organizations

Updates policies and protocols as needed to maintain compliance with regulations, standards, and evidence-based guidelines

Assists the organization to evaluate and maintain readiness for state, federal, and accrediting agency surveys

Monitors and evaluates the efficacy of infection prevention and control strategies

Collaborates with other departments throughout the facility to design and implement strategies to prevent HAIs and transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms and other epidemiologically important organisms

Investigates exposures to communicable disease and initiates appropriate measures to prevent the transmission of disease

Maintains confidentiality of patients, personnel and related information

Provides consultation services relating to infection prevention and control to the various departments in the organization

Evaluates products, devices and equipment relating to infection prevention and control

Actively participates in quality assurance/performance improvement activities

Maintains departmental records to be in compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies

Provides written and verbal reports to administration and relevant committees, departments, personnel and external agencies

Communicates with local and state health departments

Participates in orientation programs and required annual education programs

Provides education on hand hygiene, aseptic technique, infection prevention and control strategies, antiseptics and disinfectants, specific infectious diseases, and other related health care issues

Develops or obtains educational materials and programs, as needed, for personnel, patients and visitors

Collaborates with employee health personnel on matters such as exposure management and immunization

Works with facilities management and other personnel to evaluate infection risks associated with renovation and construction projects and identify control measures

Other duties as business needs arise.

Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program

Required

BSN

Preferred

Masters in Nursing

Preferred

Licenses and Certifications

BCLS - Basic Life Support

Required

RN  - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure

Current Georgia RN License or RN Compact/multi state license including GA

Required

CIC - Certified in Infection Control

Epidemiology

Preferred

Ability to take certification examination in two or less years of employment required.

Preferred