Infection Prevention Coordinator

UHS•Aiken, SC

10d

About The Position

Infection Prevention Coordinator is responsible for implementing a system-wide infection control program. These responsibilities include (but are not limited to) surveillance, analysis, reporting, and recording activities as well as setting standards and evaluating compliance for practices that are associated with the prevention and control of health care associated infections. The goal is to provide a safe environment through the prevention of infection in patients, families, employees, and visitors. The employee in this position will perform infection prevention and control program duties, which includes the daily management of infection prevention and control activities. Duties also include providing education to multiple groups internal and external to the organization, as well as routine and special focus monitoring activities. Responsible for enforcing Infection Prevention policies in compliance with accrediting agency standards (TJC, CMS); regulatory agencies standards (EPA, FDA, OSHA) and guidelines of governmental agencies (CDC/DHQP, NCIRD-ACIP, DHS) and professional organizations (AAMI, AHRQ, AIA, AORN, APIC, IDSA, SHEA). This position is responsible for the duties of the Infection Control program and practices for the Acute Hospital, Behavioral Health Hospital, Surgery Center of Aiken, and various outpatient clinics associated with the hospital. Assists with other Quality initiatives and all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education requirements: Bachelors Degree required (Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology), Master's Degree preferred in appropriate field (Nursing, Education, Microbiology, Public Health, etc);.
Work experience requirements: Minimum of 1 years in Infection Prevention or 3 years hospital experience with demonstrated infection control knowledge of various clinical specialties.
Required licenses/ certifications/courses: National certification in Infection Control preferred or obtained within 2 years.
Required skills, knowledge and abilities: Must have current understanding of The Joint Commission, OSHA, and state/federal regulatory body guidelines and standards; must have understanding of transmission-based disease process. Must possess excellent oral, written and analytical skills. Effective problem solving, conflict management and organizational skills. Clinical competence and the ability to establish respect and rapport with peers, staff, physicians, and administration. Understanding of data collection, analyzing data and benchmarking tools; computer skills.

Responsibilities

Serves as a resource to leadership, physicians and staff on issues regarding infection prevention and control.
Designs, in collaboration with the Infection Prevention Manager, the surveillance program for healthcare associated infections based upon the Infection Prevention Risk Assessment and ARMC, TJC, DHEC, OSHA, and any other applicable regulatory bodies’ policies and standards, to include all patient populations and patient care support departments/ services.
Performs, in collaboration with the Infection Prevention Manager, an annual Infection Prevention Risk Assessment and develops a system-wide Infection Prevention and Control Program Plan.
Provides facilitation of hospital Infection Control program, to include trending data, performing focus studies, and maintaining documentation of activities.
Develops, revises, and/or reviews all department-specific and hospital-wide Infection Control policies at designated intervals.
Implements policies and procedures that describe the types of surveillance carried out to monitor the rates of infections, the system used to collect and analyze data, and activities to prevent and control infection.
Oversees and/or completes the reporting process to the CDC NHSN of healthcare associated infections.
Provides education to associates, medical staff, and community agencies regarding disease-specific guidelines, policies, and practices.
Collaborates with Human Resources and Employee Health Services in investigation of occupational exposures to communicable diseases and in design/development of infection prevention programs.
Collaborates with Information Technology Department regarding implementation of automated surveillance technology (Cerner – Infection Control Module) for identification of healthcare associated infection.
Completes the analysis, interprets and disseminates specific data on healthcare associated infection to the Senior Management, Physicians, Department Directors/Managers and Staff. Collaborates with administration, physicians, nursing, department heads, managers and staff to devise evidence based prevention programs and corrective action plans as needed.
Utilizes laboratory support, particularly microbiological and serological to collect data and review/analyze information.
Monitors the effects of intervention strategies on infection rates.
Serves as a liaison between regulatory agencies with regard to reporting of cases/ outbreaks of communicable disease to medical staff, S.C. DHEC as mandated by S.C. Code of Laws, Center for Disease Control as appropriate and the implementation of control strategies.
Collaborates with Emergency Management and external agencies in designing and executing the Epidemic/Bioterrorism Response Plan.
Provides consultation regarding the purchase of all equipment and supplies used for sterilization, dis-infection, and decontamination purposes.
Periodically reviews and makes recommendations regarding cleaning agents used throughout the hospital.
Participates in hospital pre-construction and construction meetings to facilitate maintained Infection Control policies and practices.
Participates in various community or hospital committees, patient care conferences, and other dept.-specific activities as appropriate.
Participation in occasional travel to attend educational opportunities or other hospital related activities.