Infection Preventionist

LCMC Health•New Orleans, LA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist works on infection prevention and control projects at the hospital. These projects include active surveillance of patient records, providing training and education related to infection control and quality assurance, monitoring compliance through observations, audits, checklists, etc., reviewing and analyzing infection control data, assessing risk factors, and as needed, performing special studies that relate to infection prevention and control.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or Health related science field.
Must enroll in Master’s program within first year of hire if applicant does not have upon hire.
Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) must be obtained within 3 years of hire.
Specialized training and a basic knowledge of infection control principles, practices, infection prevention and control standards and epidemiological principles.
Familiarity with NHSN requirements is essential.
Maintains state license and continuing education requirements commiserate with position.
Must have strong familiarity navigating the electronic medical record.
Sedentary Work- Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or, a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
Sitting - Continuous (67-100% of day)
Standing - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Walking - Frequent (36-66% of day)
Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Floor to waist level: 0-10lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Floor to waist level: 10-20lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Floor to waist level: 20-50lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Floor to waist level: 50-100lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Floor to waist level: 100+lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Waist level and above: 0-10lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Waist level and above: 10-20lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Waist level and above: 20-50lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Waist level and above: 50-100lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Lifting Waist level and above: 100+lbs - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Carrying objects - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Push/pull - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Twisting - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Bending - Frequent (36-66% of day)
Reaching forward - Frequent (36-66% of day)
Reaching overhead - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Pinching/fine motor activities - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Continuous (67-100% of day)
Taste or smell - Occasional (0-35% of day)
Talk or hear - Continuous (67-100% of day)
Near Vision - Accurate 20/40
Far Vision - Accurate 20/40
Color Discrimination - Yes
Depth Perception - Accurate
Hearing - Accurate
Bloodborne pathogens - Not Anticipated
Chemical - Reasonably Anticipated
Airborne communicable diseases - Reasonably Anticipated
Extreme temperatures - Not Anticipated
Radiation - Reasonably Anticipated
Uneven surfaces or elevations - Reasonably Anticipated
Extreme noise levels - Not Anticipated
Dust/particular matter - Reasonably Anticipated
Neonate/Infant up to 1 year: Yes
Youth (1yr to 15 yrs): Yes
Adult (16 and up): Yes

Nice To Haves

Experience in Infection control in a clinical setting
Master's Degree
working knowledge with Epic

Responsibilities

Evaluates hospital-acquired infection rates using a statistical process control methodology.
Submits data to the National Healthcare Safety Network.
Reports to public health agencies as required by law.
Performs infection control environment of care (EOC) rounding.
Develops, implements approved epidemiologic protocols for investigating, controlling hospital epidemics, other hospital-acquired infections and is responsive to unanticipated exposures and outbreaks.
Performs an annual assessment and develops action plans from the prior year activities.
Establishes, implements, and administers departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
Participates in quality/performance improvement activities by assessing, monitoring, measuring hospital acquired infections and evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis.
Assists in preparation of reports and statistical data for the infection control committee, medical staff committees, medical executive committee, administration, and other committees as needed.
Plans, organizes, develops, and implements educational programs for all hospital employees including contract staff, volunteers, administrative, and ancillary services which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase employee awareness of hospital acquired infections.
Demonstrates techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for hospital employees and patients.
Interacts with physicians, nurses, department managers, supervisors, occupational health, and other professional/non-professional staff members to provide resource information, resolve infection control problems, and identify new opportunities to improve service and reduce costs.
Makes recommendations regarding construction, renovation, and environmental rounds and assures compliance with national and/or professional standards.
Triages infection control questions and issues where policies do not exist.
Develops and enforces effectual policies and procedures for the department and hospital that ensures compliance with TJC, OSHA, CDC, CMS, and other state and federal regulatory agencies.