Infection Preventionist

Fairview Health Services•St. Paul, MN

About The Position

Fairview is seeking an Infection Preventionist for a full-time, salaried role working both onsite and remotely. Candidates must reside in Minnesota or be willing to relocate. The position develops, implements, facilitates, and monitors infection prevention standards affecting patients, visitors, volunteers, and healthcare workers. It serves as a resource to staff and leadership on policies, procedures, practice, and education, and contributes to improving patient-care quality by identifying risks and initiating appropriate interventions. Rotating call is required and is conducted remotely for virtual consultations. Travel to or between sites may be required depending on role or project needs. The Infection Preventionist directs infection control programs, surveillance, outbreak response, education, consultation, and quality improvement efforts. The role collaborates with leadership, clinical teams, committees, public health agencies, and other stakeholders to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections and infectious risks.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in a healthcare-related field.
At least 1 year in an infection prevention role or related clinical experience.
Current Infection Control certification (CIC) within 3 years.

Nice To Haves

Master of Arts or Master of Science degree in a healthcare-related field.
2 years in an infection prevention role or related clinical experience.
Current professional licensure, certification, or registration.

Responsibilities

Design and direct the Infection Control Program to identify, prevent, and control healthcare-associated infections and infectious risks; develop, review, and revise related policies and procedures.
Design, implement, and evaluate the infection control plan at least annually.
Determine processes for data collection, analysis, and reporting, and verify the accuracy of case findings.
Collaborate with leadership to implement and monitor compliance with policies.
Analyze and report surveillance findings, patterns, and trends to leadership.
Identify infection prevention opportunities and work with leadership to develop plans to address issues.
Lead the outbreak management plan at the assigned site.
Work with state and local health departments to comply with reporting rules and laws in a timely manner.
Develop plans to identify and respond to bioterrorism and high-consequence infectious diseases, and evaluate unusual disease clusters.
Direct surveillance and compliance programs required by system infection prevention committees, the Department of Health, CDC, Employee Health Services, and other agencies.
Analyze surveillance data and site trends, investigate patient or system issues needing remediation, and apply research and best-practice knowledge.
Design and implement processes to evaluate practice and care-system outcomes related to infection prevention.
Use consultation and leadership skills to support change across professional teams, healthcare delivery systems, and organizational issues.
Provide routine consultation to staff and leadership in support of care planning for infectious patients.
Provide construction consultation on infection risks and prevention strategies, and evaluate compliance with building regulations related to infection prevention.
Evaluate new products.
Educate staff on infection prevention principles and techniques, including area-specific education based on assessed community, visitor, patient, and healthcare-worker risks.
Provide updates on emerging infections and potential disease outbreaks, and share expertise with peers.
Model positive relationships and clinical practice behaviors; collaborate with key stakeholders on infection prevention management.
Participate with Employee Occupational Health and Safety in annual updates on infectious risk to comply with Minnesota Employee Right to Know legislation and OSHA bloodborne pathogen and tuberculosis control rules.
Participate in Infection Control Committees as assigned.
Participate in Quality Improvement plans when issues are identified or as assigned by the department manager or director.
Coordinate studies requested by the Infection Control Committee, management, the Department of Health, or CDC.
Build patient and partner relationships, communicate expectations and feedback, recognize barriers to motivation, negotiate toward optimal outcomes, and manage competing priorities flexibly.