Infection Prevention Specialist

OU Health•Edmond, OK

About The Position

The Infection Prevention Specialist develops foundational skills in surveillance, data collection, and infection prevention practices. The role supports routine monitoring for healthcare-associated infections, assists with outbreak investigations, and contributes to regulatory readiness. The position provides frontline guidance on isolation and personal protective equipment, conducts environmental rounding, and participates in education, risk assessments, and policy review to help maintain a safe and compliant care environment. The role covers organization facilities, including outlying Ambulatory Clinics, and includes weekly unit and environmental rounding, infection-control surveillance, data collection and reporting, review of microbiology and virology reports and patient charts, communicable disease reporting, construction plan reviews and Infection Control Risk Assessments, staff and patient education, policy review, and support for accreditation and regulatory surveys. The Infection Prevention Specialist also participates in the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a clinical healthcare or health sciences-related field.
Current Basic Life Support (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) required upon hire.
Basic knowledge of infection prevention principles, epidemiology, microbiology, and modes of transmission.
Introductory understanding of CDC, CMS, OSHA, and Joint Commission requirements.
Basic knowledge of standard and transmission-based precautions and PPE use.
Basic understanding of sterilization, disinfection, and environmental hygiene practices.
Basic knowledge of common computer systems and EMR navigation.
Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, and digital forms.
Skill in collecting, analyzing, and accurately documenting infection prevention data.
Skill in delivering basic infection prevention education to staff and learners.
Foundational communication skills for interacting with staff, patients, and families.
Ability to learn and integrate new software, digital workflows, and infection prevention technologies.
Ability to follow established procedures and apply infection prevention standards consistently.
Ability to work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical staff.
Ability to maintain accuracy, attention to detail, and thorough documentation.
This is a safety-sensitive position subject to a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol standard in compliance with Oklahoma law.

Responsibilities

Conduct weekly unit rounding in inpatient and ancillary areas to assess infection prevention practices.
Perform ongoing infection control surveillance to identify early or suspected outbreaks.
Collect and analyze infection prevention data and prepare routine surveillance reports.
Review microbiology and virology reports to identify potential healthcare-associated infections.
Review patient charts and apply NHSN definitions to accurately report healthcare-associated infections in electronic systems.
Report communicable diseases to public health authorities in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Conduct weekly environmental rounding to identify risks and ensure compliance with standards.
Assist with construction plan reviews and complete Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs).
Provide basic infection prevention guidance to staff, patients, and families on safe practices.
Advise clinical teams on isolation requirements and appropriate use of personal protective equipment.
Deliver mandatory education, new employee orientation, and in-service training on infection prevention topics.
Assist with reviewing and updating infection prevention policies, procedures, and risk assessments.
Maintain compliance with local, state, and federal reporting requirements for infection prevention activities.
Support readiness efforts for accreditation and regulatory surveys, including Joint Commission and Department of Health surveys.
Participate as a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
Perform other duties as assigned.