Infection Preventionist

Sutter Health•Modesto, CA

About The Position

Provides expert consultation and support to patient care delivery and department operations in surveillance, infectious disease exposure response, data collection and analysis, interpretation and reporting, inspection, control measures, education, evaluation, recommendations, performance improvement, and compliance evaluation for practices associated with preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections. Coordinates the hospital-wide infection control program, including performance improvement to identify and prevent healthcare-associated infections. Plans and coordinates infection control and prevention education for all hospital personnel. Serves as a consultant, educator, role model, and proponent of change to support quality healthcare.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in management, public health, nursing, or a related field; equivalent experience is accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.
Certification in Infection Control (CIC) within 2 years.
Five years of recent relevant experience.
Knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology, statistical analysis, patient care standards and technology, infectious disease, sterilization, sanitation and disinfection practices, and/or adult education principles.
Knowledge of pertinent regulatory, accrediting, and advisory body requirements.
Ability to interact effectively with healthcare personnel at all levels, personnel at other healthcare facilities, public health services at local, state, and national levels, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including knowledge of adult education principles for educating and responding to hospital and external agency personnel.
Computer literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, word processing, statistical software, and online services.
Basic understanding of performance improvement monitoring and development of performance improvement indicators.
Ability to creatively and effectively solve complex problems and manage crises.
Ability to apply mathematical concepts, including fractions, percentages, proportions, and statistics, to analysis and problem solving.
Ability to create and translate clinical data into reports and presentations for appropriate audiences.
Ability to define issues, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Critical thinking and analytical skills with attention to detail.
Proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues and concerns.
Ability to influence others through persuasion and problem solving to achieve desired outcomes.
Collaboration skills to facilitate information sharing and cooperation with stakeholders.
Customer service focus in decisions and actions.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing and present information to a variety of audiences.
Ability to interact and maintain effective working relationships with people contacted in the performance of required duties.
Respect for cultural and linguistic differences and support for an inclusive work environment.
Initiative in providing feedback and input to improve workflows and processes.
Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with changing business priorities.
Ability to handle confidential information discreetly.

Responsibilities

Conduct surveillance and respond to infectious disease exposures.
Collect, analyze, interpret, and report data related to infection prevention and control.
Inspect practices and support implementation of infection control measures.
Provide education, evaluation, and recommendations concerning infection prevention practices.
Evaluate compliance with practices associated with prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections.
Coordinate the hospital-wide infection control program, including performance improvement to identify and prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Plan and coordinate infection control and prevention education for hospital personnel.
Serve as a consultant, educator, role model, and proponent of change to support quality healthcare.