Infection Preventionist, Downtown Campus

University of Maryland Medical System • Baltimore, MD

3d

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Infection Preventionist conducts nosocomial infection surveillance, analyzes data for trends, participates in outbreak investigations, provides infection-control education to staff, and maintains relevant policies. The role reviews culture and sensitivity reports for inpatients with possible infections to prioritize surveillance and define nosocomial infections according to CDC-published definitions. It also maintains infection records and prepares reports, investigates communicable-disease exposures, participates in outbreak response, and communicates infection-control policies and procedures to hospital personnel.

The position supports patient safety by taking action to correct observed risks, reporting adverse events and near misses to the appropriate management authority, and identifying and communicating risks in processes, procedures, and devices. The role requires a relevant bachelor's degree, an active Maryland RN license or Medical Technologist certification (unless the stated infection-prevention certification exception applies), and APIC infection-control certification or the ability to obtain it within two years of hire.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited School of Nursing, Medical Technology, or a related field, or equivalent.
• Current Maryland licensure as a Registered Nurse or certification as a Registered Medical Technologist, unless the applicant currently holds infection-prevention certification with equivalent educational background requirements.
• APIC certification as an Infection Control Practitioner, or ability to obtain it within two years of hire.
• Two and one-half years of clinical experience as an RN, microbiology experience as a Medical Technologist, or infection-prevention certification with equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of computer applications for database management, such as Dbase or other database-management software, and operation of a personal computer system.
• Knowledge of statistics, research design, adult and pediatric infectious diseases, nosocomial-infection surveillance, and interpretation of microbiology laboratory data.
• Ability to deliver educational programs to hospital personnel about infection-control precautions and procedures.
• Ability to respond to, investigate, identify, and problem-solve infection-control issues requiring immediate and decisive action.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with patients and clinical staff about infection-control procedures and precautions.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient populations served, including knowledge of growth and development across the lifespan and ability to assess data relevant to population-specific and age-specific needs.

Nice To Haves

• Infection-control experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review culture and sensitivity reports for inpatients with possible infections, prioritize surveillance activities, and define nosocomial infections in accordance with CDC-published definitions.
• Maintain records of nosocomial infections and prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual infection reports according to departmental procedures.
• Investigate patient and employee exposures to communicable diseases.
• Participate in outbreak investigations, recommend control measures, and notify appropriate City and State Health Officials according to departmental procedures and state regulations.
• Provide infection-control education to nursing, medical, and allied health staff about departmental and hospital-wide policies and procedures.
• Ensure patient safety while performing job functions and participate in hospital, department, or unit patient-safety initiatives.
• Take action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Report adverse events and near misses to the appropriate management authority.
• Identify possible risks in processes, procedures, and devices and communicate them to those in charge.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time