Infection Preventionist

State of Oklahoma • Oklahoma City, OK

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is committed to leading Oklahoma to prosperity through health. Their mission is to protect and promote health, prevent disease and injury, and cultivate conditions by which Oklahomans can thrive. The Infection Preventionist serves 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. This role supports the mission of the Acute Disease Service while performing Healthcare Associated Infections program activities. OSDH offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, emphasizing respect, collaboration, and service.

Requirements

• 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.
• Knowledge of current state and national HAI and AR requirements.
• 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.
• Willing to 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.
• Depending on the disease, documentation of up-to-date vaccination status may be required to participate during in-person outbreak response activities.

Nice To Haves

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

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.
• 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.
• Respond to public health emergencies including, but not limited to, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or catastrophic events.

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: Senior
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees