Infection Control Practitioner

University of Maryland Medical System•Largo, MD

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Director of Infection Prevention, the Infection Control Practitioner conducts healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance and investigates and monitors known or potential sources of suspected infections to determine their source and minimize exposure risk. The role plans and coordinates infection prevention and control activities, provides related education to staff, maintains relevant policies, and compiles data and prepares periodic reports on infections within the institution. The practitioner reviews culture and sensitivity reports, conducts prevalence rounds and focused reviews, prepares and presents infection data, identifies trends, and follows up with departments or committees to address infection control issues. The role also reports required conditions and HAI data, communicates significant infections to relevant units and outside facilities, collaborates on employee vaccination and exposure management, and participates in performance improvement initiatives and committees.

Requirements

Degree from an accredited School of Nursing, Medical Technology, or a related field, or equivalent.
Current Maryland license as a Registered Nurse, or certification as a Medical Technologist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
At least two years of clinical experience.
Knowledge of personal computer systems.
Knowledge of computer applications for database management, specifically Excel or Access.
Knowledge of statistics, research design, adult and pediatric infectious diseases, nosocomial infection surveillance, and interpretation of microbiology laboratory data.
Ability to respond to, investigate, identify, and problem-solve infection control issues requiring immediate and decisive action.
Highly effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with patients and clinical staff about infection control issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Infection Prevention and Control.
Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC), or completion of the certification within two years of hire.

Responsibilities

Review culture and sensitivity reports for patients with possible infections and prioritize surveillance activities.
Perform prevalence rounds and focused reviews regarding infection rates.
Prepare reports on infection rates and identify trends and patterns.
Follow up with departments or committees regarding infection control issues and work to resolve negative trends.
Identify and report monthly HAI data in the NHSN database as required by the State of Maryland or prioritized by the infection prevention and control plan.
Collect data and prepare and present HAI data to the Infection Control Committee and other hospital committees.
Identify reportable conditions, such as tuberculosis, and report them to the local Health Department.
Communicate significant infections, such as MDROs, to involved units or departments and outside facilities as needed.
Provide infection prevention and control education to nursing staff, medical staff, and allied healthcare staff regularly and when needs arise.
Assist clinical staff in developing departmental infection control policies and procedures.
Collaborate with Employee Health on the healthcare worker vaccination program and post-exposure management for infectious disease exposures.
Participate in collaboratives, performance improvement initiatives, and committees as needed to reduce HAIs and infection transmission risk.
Perform other duties as assigned.