Infection Prevention Epidemiologist

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta • Sandy Springs, GA

86d

About The Position

The Infection Prevention Epidemiologist promotes high-quality patient care through sound, scientific infection prevention and epidemiology principles and practices throughout the system to decrease the risk of transmission of infectious diseases between patients, staff, visitors, volunteers, and the community. Proactively supports efforts to ensure delivery of safe patient care and services and promote a safe environment at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Provides expert support in the vast performance improvement initiatives mandated by both internal needs and external regulatory and quality agencies.

Requirements

• 2 years of related experience
• Bachelor’s degree in an applied science (biology or chemistry), nursing, public health, epidemiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, health promotion, pharmacy or related field.
• Current GA license in applicable health profession.
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) or Certified in Public Health (CPH) when eligible within two years of employment.

Nice To Haves

• 2 years of clinical experience in a pediatric hospital or critical care setting.
• Master’s degree in an applied science (biology or chemistry), nursing, public health, epidemiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology, health promotion, pharmacy or related field.
• Experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR), preferably EPIC.
• Experience in infection prevention and control.

Responsibilities

• Surveils Health-Acquired Infections (HAI) and epidemiologically significant community-acquired infections, including monitoring patients for infections using specified Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria by analyzing patient records, laboratory reports, diagnostic imaging reports, and interviewing assigned areas.
• Communicates and intervenes actively with nurses, physicians, case managers, laboratory, and other healthcare workers regarding infection prevention and epidemiology processes and practices.
• Interprets and reports data using statistical methodology and prepares charts, graphs, and reports for presentation to departments, medical staff, and committees.
• Completes accurate reporting to regulatory agencies, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Department, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• Develops emergency preparedness and disaster planning/response to infectious events or outbreaks.
• Provides support to the Employee Health department and collaborates on employee health exposure response.
• Supports and participates in interdisciplinary performance and quality improvement processes.
• Understands and complies with infection prevention, safety, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) procedures and regulations.
• Rounds in assigned areas regularly to assess for regulatory compliance with infection prevention standards.
• Collaborates with accreditation team and other stakeholders to ensure staff are compliant with regulatory standards at all times.
• Provides data and analysis to institutional programs including but not limited to the Clinically Integrated Network, National Healthcare Surveillance Network, Solutions for Patient Safety, American Nurses Credentialing Center, NDNQI and others as needed.
• Employs institution’s defined quality improvement principles and methodologies to improve patient safety and reduce infections.
• Works within the department to provide 24/7 infection prevention coverage for the organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees