Infection Preventionist - St. Francis Medical Center

Bon Secours Mercy Health • Richmond, VA

1d

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist manages Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) activities under the guidance of the Manager of Infection Prevention. The role coordinates and supports implementation of a system-wide infection control and prevention program to identify, prevent, and eliminate or reduce sources of infection, and monitors processes to reduce hospital-associated infections (HAIs). The Infection Preventionist ensures compliance with infection control standards and local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.

The position applies epidemiologic principles and statistical methods to conduct surveillance, identify and analyze infection trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention strategies. It investigates and reports infection control issues and outbreaks, implements mitigation strategies, and contributes to quality and performance improvement initiatives. The role also participates in environmental rounds and construction risk assessments, supports safe disinfection and sterilization practices, collaborates with Employee Health on communicable disease exposures, and provides education and expert guidance to healthcare professionals, patients, families, and the public.

The Infection Preventionist collaborates with facility personnel and other healthcare professionals, serves as a mentor and role model, and contributes to fiscal management by evaluating infection-prevention technology and products. The position is full-time, with 40 scheduled weekly hours, on a days/afternoons shift at St. Francis Medical Center.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a healthcare-related field.
• Two years of experience in direct clinical patient care or a related healthcare field.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC), required within three years.
• Knowledge of improvement science.
• Demonstrated ability or experience leading and facilitating multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience in performance improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and in-depth knowledge of computer systems and software programs.
• Ability to work independently and be self-directed.
• Attention to detail, critical thinking, communication across professional levels, teamwork, conflict resolution, active listening, and relationship-building skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in nursing or a healthcare-related field.
• CIC certification preferred upon hire.
• Advanced education in infection prevention.
• Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), Certified Endoscope Preprocessor (CER), or Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) certification.
• Experience in infection control or prevention.

Responsibilities

• Apply epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target populations, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies.
• Conduct surveillance using NHSN criteria and investigate HAIs by reviewing diagnoses, laboratory results, isolation, patient records, consultation requests, post-discharge surveillance, and autopsy findings.
• Use computer-based programs to track, report, and disseminate surveillance information.
• Prepare statistical reports and analyze infection trends using epidemiologic principles.
• Investigate, document, and report infection control issues to the manager and IPC/Quality Committee.
• Investigate infection outbreaks in consultation with the IPC Manager, Infectious Disease Physician, public health departments, and, when necessary, the Centers for Disease Control.
• Implement mitigation strategies during communicable disease outbreaks in healthcare facilities or the community.
• Contribute to quality and performance improvement initiatives.
• Participate in environmental rounds and construction risk assessments, identify infection-prevention issues with multidisciplinary teams, and recommend interventions to support safety.
• Provide expert IPC and epidemiology guidance grounded in evidence-based practice, policies and procedures, and regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Support proper cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of medical instruments and equipment.
• Collaborate with Employee Health to evaluate employee communicable-disease exposures and coordinate appropriate follow-up.
• Educate healthcare providers, ancillary staff, patients, families, and the public about HAIs and IPC measures.
• Mentor and share knowledge with facility personnel and healthcare professionals inside and outside the facility.
• Collaborate in fiscal management by evaluating infection-prevention technology and products and incorporating fiscal assessments into program evaluation.

Benefits

• Competitive pay, incentives, and referral bonuses.
• 403(b) with employer contributions when eligible.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• HSA/FSA options and life insurance.
• Mental health resources and discounts.
• Paid time off, parental leave, and FMLA leave.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Backup care for children and elders.
• Tuition assistance, professional development, and continuing education support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level