Infection Preventionist

Renown Health•Reno, NV

34d

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist has the day-to-day responsibility of planning, organizing, managing and evaluating the health system Infection Control Program for Renown Health. The incumbent is responsible for assuring that Renown Health is in compliance with hospital infection prevention and control-related State and Federal regulations, Joint Commission Standards, and Renown Health Infection Control Policies and Procedures. This position assures that the Renown Health system defines and implements processes and best practice to reduce/eliminate hospital acquired infection, comply with regulatory expectations, and provide a method of surveillance and reporting of infection rates and information. This position coordinates and assists in development, implementation and maintenance of Infection Control policies and procedures that are designed to meet the changing needs of the health care environment. It also functions as a resource to hospital and medical staff regarding interpretation of Infection Control and Occupational Health policies as they relate to infectious disease. The incumbent directs the collection of surveillance data. This position analyzes the data and provides statistical reports for the hospital departments, medical staff and Infection Control committee. This position conducts epidemiological studies as needed to investigate unusual occurrences of infection. This position collaborates with Washoe County and other public health officials in the reporting of communicable diseases as well as follow up with exposures. This position monitors compliance with Infection Control polices and regulatory requirements and feeds back results of the monitoring to department managers for corrective action. This position is responsible for patient care orientation and annual updates to Infection Control principles. This position regularly collaborates with Quality Consultants, Emergency Management, Occupational Health Services, and Risk Management on issues related to infection control. This position has the authority to enforce Infection Control policies when hazards exist such as isolation of patients and ordering appropriate cultures as needed. Financial decisions on approval of expenses resulting from an emergency outbreak of infection are routed through the Director of Infection Control. The incumbent is responsible for keeping informed of current concepts in Infection Control practice as well as new and innovative programs through reading and participating in professional organizations. This position does not provide patient care.

Requirements

Must have working-level knowledge of English language, including reading, writing and speaking English.
Bachelor's degree in health-related field, required.
If not licensed or certified, candidate must have a Masters in Public Health or obtain Masters in Public Health within one year of hire.
Ability to obtain and maintain a State of Nevada Licensure or certification in related field; Registered Nurse, ASCP Registered Medical Technologist, Medical Examiners Respiratory Care Practitioner License, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential from the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC), or Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) will be required if employee does not hold their Master's in Public health within one year of hire.
The ability to obtain and maintain Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) within two years of employment.
Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word and have the ability to use the computer to complete online learning requirements for job-specific competencies, access online forms and policies, complete online benefits enrollment, etc.

Nice To Haves

Masters degree preferred.
Infection Prevention experience preferred

Responsibilities

Planning, organizing, managing and evaluating the health system Infection Control Program
Assuring compliance with hospital infection prevention and control-related State and Federal regulations, Joint Commission Standards, and Renown Health Infection Control Policies and Procedures
Defining and implementing processes and best practice to reduce/eliminate hospital acquired infection
Complying with regulatory expectations
Providing a method of surveillance and reporting of infection rates and information
Coordinating and assisting in development, implementation and maintenance of Infection Control policies and procedures
Functioning as a resource to hospital and medical staff regarding interpretation of Infection Control and Occupational Health policies as they relate to infectious disease
Directing the collection of surveillance data
Analyzing data and providing statistical reports for the hospital departments, medical staff and Infection Control committee
Conducting epidemiological studies as needed to investigate unusual occurrences of infection
Collaborating with Washoe County and other public health officials in the reporting of communicable diseases as well as follow up with exposures
Monitoring compliance with Infection Control polices and regulatory requirements and feeds back results of the monitoring to department managers for corrective action
Responsible for patient care orientation and annual updates to Infection Control principles
Collaborating with Quality Consultants, Emergency Management, Occupational Health Services, and Risk Management on issues related to infection control
Enforcing Infection Control policies when hazards exist such as isolation of patients and ordering appropriate cultures as needed
Keeping informed of current concepts in Infection Control practice as well as new and innovative programs through reading and participating in professional organizations