Infection Preventionist II

The University of Kansas Health System•Liberty, MO

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist works collaboratively with leaders, clinicians, and other healthcare workers across campuses to identify, prioritize, and implement infection prevention and control strategies that enhance patient-care quality and safety and employee work-environment safety. The role provides expert infection prevention and control guidance, coaching, and support for performance improvement, safety science, and other initiatives that promote continuous quality improvement and alignment with national best-practice standards. Portfolio responsibilities include divisional and departmental support and consultation; CAUTI, CLABSI, C. diff, SSI, MDRO, HLD, and SPD; outbreak management and response; education; emerging infectious disease preparedness; and other assignments. The position works under the direction of the Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Manager and is expected to demonstrate the professional, clinical, and technical competencies of the assigned department.

Requirements

Master's degree in a science- or health-related field from an accredited college or university.
Bachelor's degree in a science- or health-related field from an accredited college or university.
At least 7 years of experience in a science- or health-related field.
At least 5 years of experience in infection control.
Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).

Nice To Haves

Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (FAPIC).
LEAN Certification; if not certified at hire, certification is expected within 12 months of employment.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellence and independence at the Infection Preventionist II level, including critical thinking, interpersonal relationships, and technical skills.
Provide expertise, guidance, mentoring, and orientation to Infection Preventionist I and II staff.
Build collaborative working relationships and interact professionally, including using conflict-resolution skills.
Apply in-depth knowledge of infection prevention and control practices, regulatory requirements, performance improvement, and project management.
Demonstrate independent leadership, problem solving, advanced analysis, and strategic planning within the department.
Advocate for infection control while balancing harm prevention with preserving working relationships across units, facility forums, and organizational leadership.
Develop program-level policies, surveys, systems, reports, assessments, data presentations, and other documentation.
Serve as a recognized patient-safety leader and demonstrate broad expertise in infection prevention topics, guidelines and standards, patient environments, and current literature.
Independently develop and deliver educational materials and training workshops on infection control and performance improvement.
Lead or support responses to high-stakes situations and hospital-wide emergencies or major issues, including humidity events, floods, outbreaks, exposures, and regulatory visits.
Provide written and verbal summaries and reports of infection control activities when requested by the Infection Prevention and Control Manager, Medical Director, or hospital leadership.
Collect, analyze, and interpret data for the Infection Prevention and Control Surveillance Program.
Use NHSN and, when applicable, validate surveillance conducted by others.
Provide consultation on infection risk assessment, prevention, and control strategies.
Liaise with Occupational Health, KUPI, the University, the Safety Office, and Public Health on infection control and bioterrorism issues.
Guide identification, containment, and response measures for infection outbreaks.
Participate in research projects, including implementation, abstract submission, and/or manuscript preparation.
Coordinate preparation for or receipt of accreditation visits, identify environment-of-care issues, and communicate them to hospital leadership to effect change.
Participate actively in local and national professional associations or societies.
Perform other assigned duties as required.