Infection Preventionist II (Columbia County)

Wellstar Health System•Magnolia, AR

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist II (IP II) is a professional who functions under the Infection Prevention Manager, or Director/ED/AVP of Safety and Quality, with a matrix relationship to the Executive Director of Infection Prevention at the system level. The Infection Preventionist II is responsible for monitoring and responding to Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI's) and communicable infections by infection detection, data collection and analysis; monitoring; and evaluation of preventive interventions. Additional responsibilities include providing input on relevant policies and procedures, conducting risk assessments, ensuring adequacy of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices, educating, and coaching staff, and assuring regulatory compliance in all aspects of infection surveillance, prevention, and control. The Infection Preventionist II monitors and responds to HAI (Healthcare Associated Infection) infections in high-risk patient populations, serves as the primary contact for regulatory agencies in matters related to infection prevention and control, helps analyze relevant data trends and clinical practice workflows, and leads organization-wide efforts to minimize harm from infections and to meet current and anticipated future regulatory and accreditation standards related to infection prevention and control.

Requirements

Required Minimum Education: Bachelors Other Required and Masters Other Preferred
Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s): All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.
CIC - Cert in Infection Control
Required Minimum Experience: Minimum 2 years experience in infection prevention and control Required and Minimum 4 years experience in infection prevention and control Preferred
Strong verbal and written communication.
Excellent teamwork and relationship building.
Demonstrated knowledge of basic principles of epidemiology, surveillance, data collection and analysis;
Knowledge of Infection Prevention guidelines, OSHA, regulatory requirements, and CDC guidelines is essential;
Delegation skills required;
Ability to multi-task essential;
Ability to function in stressful and emergency situations essential;
Strong detail orientation required;
computer skills required;
Personal time management skills are required

Nice To Haves

Masters Other Preferred
Minimum 4 years experience in infection prevention and control Preferred

Responsibilities

Maintains confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
Maintains accurate surveillance records and enters data into repositories.
Reports infection prevention and control activities to facility Infection prevention Performance Improvement Committee, WellStar System Infection Prevention, and applicable departments, committees and managers
Maintain a knowledge base of current infection prevention and control information through peer networking, internet access, published literature and professional meetings.
Reports diseases to local and state public health authorities as required by law.
Submits internal and external data according to established deadlines.
Analyzes information to develop knowledge for appropriate dissemination.
Develops and delivers staff education programs.
Provides patient and family education of infection prevention practices as requested by clinical caregivers.
Provides Infection Prevention orientation for hospital team members.
Maintains current knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to infection prevention
Apply knowledge of adult learning principles.
1:1 Education based on identified performance observations
Participate in continuing educational activities at the department, state, and national levels to promote personal growth and maintain a current knowledge base commensurate with latest research and scholarly knowledge.
Collaborates with Manager to review and implement system policies and procedures.
Utilizes resources to respond to the questions and needs of the organization.
Serves as a mentor to new IPs.
Maintains regulatory and accreditation compliance.
Collaborates with Employee Health regarding healthcare worker exposure and illness prevention.
Assists Manager in annual risk assessment, goal development and surveillance plan evaluation.
Experience in leading performance improvement initiatives
Contributes to the evaluation of new products.
Collaborates with Managers to enhance relationships with staff.