Infection Preventionist

Palomar Health•Escondido, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist plans and conducts a systematic method for identifying, reporting, and evaluating infections. This role involves conducting surveillance processes, communicating results to appropriate committees/departments, and utilizing epidemiological methods and surveillance data to evaluate current infection prevention practices and quality improvement action plans. The Preventionist provides ongoing reviews and evaluations of isolation techniques, safety equipment, products, and waste management procedures, making recommendations based on current standards. They conduct investigations of healthcare-associated infection clusters as directed by the Hospital Epidemiologist and the Manager of Infection Prevention and Control, and liaison with the Public Health Department for communicable disease reporting. The position also involves establishing, maintaining, and improving infection prevention standards through collaboration with other advanced practice nurses and clinical nurse specialists. Professional knowledge is enhanced through active participation in organizations like APIC and seeking educational opportunities. The role contributes to hospital accreditation and licensure by facilitating compliance with infection prevention and control standards set by regulatory agencies. Collaboration with Employee Health on exposure and immunization issues, support for the hospital's risk management program, and preparation for Infection Surveillance Committee meetings are also key. The Infection Preventionist conducts surveillance activities at Palomar Medical Center, acts as a resource for liaisons at PCCC, Home Care, and Escondido Surgery Center, and participates in infection prevention education for staff, physicians, volunteers, and the community. Maintaining knowledge of safety and house-wide issues through mandatory classes and active participation in the Patient Safety Committee is required. The position demands proficiency in English and standard office and computer software skills.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or health related field or combination of education and Infection Control certification
1 year in an acute care Healthcare setting
American Heart Association recognized BLS - Healthcare Provider
Valid Driver's License
Speak and read English at a level that is sufficient to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position
Knowledge of standard office equipment (i.e., calculator, fax, photocopier) and personal computer and computer software skills (i.e., MS Windows, Excel, Access, Word, Powerpoint, internet, e-mail)
Windows computer skills including proficient use of keyboarding, use of mouse or keys for functions such as selecting items, use of drop down menus, scroll bars, opening folders, copying and similar operations required upon employment or within the 1st two weeks of employment to perform the essential functions of the job

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
3+ years as an infection control practitioner with associated responsibilities
Certified Infection Control Practitioner
Current CA RN License or Current CA Medical Technologist

Responsibilities

Plans and conducts a systematic method for identifying, reporting and evaluating infections
Conducts surveillance process and communicates results to appropriate committees/departments
Uses epidemiological method and surveillance data to evaluate current infection prevention practices and quality improvement action plans
Provides on-going reviews and evaluation of isolation techniques, safety equipment and products, waste management procedures and makes appropriate recommendations based on current standards and knowledge
Conducts investigation of clusters of healthcare associated infections as directed by the Hospital Epidemiologist and the Manager of Infection Prevention and Control
Liaisons with Public Health Department by reporting required communicable diseases, trends or outbreaks
Establishes, maintains and improves standards of infection prevention by collaborating with other advanced practice nurses and clinical nurse specialists
Enhances professional knowledge and practice by actively participating in professional organizations such as the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and by seeking out appropriate educational opportunities to improve and broaden knowledge of infection prevention and control
Represents infection prevention principles and current knowledge in quality improvement process by participating in hospital committees and teams
Contributes to hospital accreditation and licensure by facilitating compliance with infection prevention and control standards as set forth by regulatory agencies
Collaborates with Employee Health on issues of exposures, immunization and other employee-related infection issues
Supports the hospital's risk management program by providing technical information regarding infection prevention issues and notifying Risk Management of potential issues
Prepares Infection Surveillance Committee meetings and activities
Conducts infection surveillance activities at Palomar Medical Center
Collaborates with the infection prevention and control liaisons and acts as a resource at PCCC, Home Care and Escondido Surgery Center
Participates in infection prevention education by providing orientation, in-services or resources to staff, physicians, volunteers and the community based on identified needs
Maintains knowledge of safety and house-wide issues by completing hospital-wide mandatory classes
Participates actively as a member of the Patient Safety Committee
Speak and read English at a level that is sufficient to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position
Knowledge of standard office equipment (i.e., calculator, fax, photocopier) and personal computer and computer software skills (i.e., MS Windows, Excel, Access, Word, Powerpoint, internet, e-mail)
Windows computer skills including proficient use of keyboarding, use of mouse or keys for functions such as selecting items, use of drop down menus, scroll bars, opening folders, copying and similar operations required upon employment or within the 1st two weeks of employment to perform the essential functions of the job
Performs other duties as assigned
Follows Palomar Health rules, policies, procedures, applicable laws and standards
Carries out the mission, vision, and quality commitment of Palomar Health