Infection Control Preventionist

NORTHEAST VALLEY HEALTH CORPORATION•San Fernando, CA

13d

About The Position

The Infection Control (ICP) Preventionist is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining NEVHC’s Infection Control program across the healthcare centers, dental clinics, and non-clinical areas. This role ensures compliance with the Joint Commission, CMS, Cal/OSHA, Title 22, and CDC standards. Key responsibilities include surveillance, data collection and analysis, outbreak investigation, performance improvement, and staff education and training. The Infection Control Preventionist provides consultation, training, and oversight to prevent transmission of infectious diseases and supports organizational readiness for accreditation, licensing/health plan surveys, and emergency preparedness.

Requirements

Post-secondary education in a health-related field (medicine, nursing, laboratory technology, or public health).
RN license preferred.
Have an Associate-Infection Prevention and Control (a-IPC) certification.
Have an Infection Control Certification () and maintain certification with 40 approved Infection Prevention Units (IPUs) every five years.
Current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certification, in compliance with the corporate CPR Policy
Knowledge of infection prevention principles, epidemiology, and transmission-based precautions.
Demonstrates leadership and supervisory skills.
Excellent knowledge of business English, spelling, punctuation, and contemporary general office practices and procedures.
Computer skills in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, etc.), electronic health record systems, and database systems.
Effective verbal and written communication skills to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and others.
Understanding of adult learning concepts; ability to develop subject matter curricula and teach.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking experience.
Effective work organization skills.
Ability to work effectively as a team player.
Ability to be flexible and work in a changing environment.
Sensitive to the different cultures represented among patients and staff.
Ability to listen and communicate with others in a professional and caring manner, including sensitivity with individuals from diverse cultures and lifestyles
Ability to set priorities for tasks to work effectively despite interruptions and under minimal supervision. Self-starter, reliable
Proficiency with the electronic health record database within three months of attending training session(s).
Fluency in English (speaks, reads, and writes).
Ability to solve problems and make routine recommendations.
Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality about health care and other patient/client information.
Current California driver’s license, appropriate insurance coverage, and a driving record acceptable to the NEVHC’s insurance carrier (if required to drive on the job).
Must be willing to submit fingerprints in a manner authorized by the California Department of Justice and complete a background check in accordance with company standards.

Responsibilities

Chairs the quarterly Infection Control Committee, preparing agendas, minutes, and any follow-up actions.
Drafts new and revised Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) policies and procedures, citing CDC, APIC, Cal/OSHA, AAMI, and Joint Commission IC standards.
Develops and presents the annual IPC plan, including risk assessment, priorities, goals, and performance improvement measures, for Board approval annually at the Board Quality Improvement and Compliance Committee (BQICC).
Ensures compliance with infection control Joint Commission regulations and National Patient Safety Goals.
Participates as a member in the construction committee in the planning or re-design of health center space to provide guidance and expertise on design features related to the prevention or spread of infection.
Conducts ongoing infection surveillance and investigates suspected outbreaks to determine sources and corrective actions.
Participates in disaster planning activities and exercises, especially around pandemic planning.
Participates as a member of the Environment of Care committee.
Assists the Corporate Safety Officer on an annual review, implementation, and evaluation of the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management plan and revises the plan and/or policies and procedures as needed.
Conducts quarterly inspections at all sites in conjunction with the Environment of Care rounding. Summarizes Infection Control Rounds data for Administrators, Executive Leaders, and Committees—reviews corrective actions submitted by health center sites and programs.
Facilitates hand hygiene compliance initiatives and reports findings to the Patient Corporate Quality Improvement Committee.
Reviews sterilization and high-level disinfection practices and works on improvements; ensures ongoing compliance.
Oversees implementation of new safety-engineered devices and infection risk-reducing equipment selection (e.g., safety syringes, N95 masks, etc.).
Serves as the primary contact for all bloodborne pathogen exposures affecting NEVHC staff and consults with CMO, DON as appropriate.
Monitors annual employee health screenings, including tuberculosis surveillance, in collaboration with HR and the Employee Health nurse.
Ensures infection control orientation for all new employees and trains on the annual infection control update to all NEVHC health centers.
Tracks and reports employee illnesses and occupational exposures; maintains OSHA-required exposure logs.
Reviews communicable disease data from all sites to ensure compliance with reporting requirements of the Confidential Morbidity Reports (CMRs) sent to the L.A. County Health Department in conjunction w/DON.