Infection Preventionist

Oklahoma State Government • Oklahoma City, OK

16d • $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Infection Prevention and Control providing guidance and education to county public health partners, healthcare facility infection preventionists and frontline clinicians; Support the mission of the Acute Disease Service while performing Healthcare Associated Infections program activities.

Requirements

• Requirements consist of a master’s degree in Epidemiology and three years of experience in a field involving the use of epidemiological techniques and analysis plus one year of experience in a field involving the use of epidemiological research and investigation.
• OR possession of a valid Oklahoma license as a registered nurse as approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing or, Registered Nurse License recognized by the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) and a minimum of eight (8) years of professional nursing experience, OR, a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a minimum of six (6) years of professional nursing experience, OR a master’s degree and a minimum of four (4) years of professional healthcare or public health experience.
• Experience in infection prevention and quality improvement within a healthcare facility setting, as well as knowledge of current state and national HAI and AR requirements.
• If education, certification or licensure is required to meet qualifications, applicants must provide documentation at the time of application.
• All applicants are subject to a background check and must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
• Thorough knowledge of healthcare-acquired infections and emerging infectious disease infection prevention and control methods.
• Ability to effectively communicate infectious disease prevention and control recommendations to other epidemiologists, healthcare providers, and the public using a variety of communication methods.
• Experience providing clear expert guidance directly to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare staff.
• Ability to be flexible and quickly adapt to urgent job responsibilities.
• Ability to build relationships within and outside of the organization.
• Ability to think critically, analyze data, work independently and collaborate with a team.
• Proficient skills using Microsoft Office programs and a familiarity with basic database management.
• Applicants must be willing to perform all job-related travel associated with this position.
• travel out-of-town for outbreak investigations with little or only a few hours’ notice prior to departure, with ability to occasionally stay for one or more nights and work extended hours, and b) depending on the disease, documentation of up-to-date vaccination status may be required to participate during in-person outbreak response activities.
• Position requires possible response to public health emergencies including, but not limited to, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or catastrophic events.

Nice To Haves

• Certification in Infection Control (or ready to sit for CIC certification test) are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate with state and federal partners in HAI prevention activities.
• Work with other OSDH personnel and healthcare provider partners, including hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, Long Term Care (LTC) and Long-term Acute Care (LTAC) facilities, dialysis centers, etc. to conduct HAI surveillance, case investigation, and cluster/outbreak response.
• Conduct on-site healthcare facility infection control assessments to identify potential gaps in infection control practices, make recommendations from assessment findings and provide resources to address identified gaps.
• Present training, lectures, technical reports to healthcare facilities and state partners.
• Deployable to other regions within the state to assist with HAI-related outbreak response.
• Evaluate readiness of healthcare facilities to respond to cluster or outbreak investigations.
• Support county health departments in each designated region to develop strong infection prevention base to assist in directing healthcare facility activities.
• Being present in the office is an essential function of this job
• Other duties as assigned
• Demonstrates knowledge of and supports mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
• Works effectively in team environment, participating and assisting their peers.

Benefits

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
• A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations.
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
• Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees.
• 11 paid holidays a year.
• Student Loan repayment options & tuition reimbursement.
• Employee discounts with a variety of companies and venders.
• Longevity Bonus for years of service

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees