Infection Preventionist

DHRM • Staunton, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist coordinates and implements a comprehensive hospital-wide infection prevention, surveillance, and control program in accordance with applicable Joint Commission, CMAS, CDC, Virginia Department of Health, and OSHA guidelines and standards for hospital and psychiatric facilities. The position serves as a consultant on infection prevention and control matters and provides education to patients and staff about relevant practices and procedures.

The role applies nursing principles, practices, and standards to care appropriate for adults with mental and physical illnesses. It requires knowledge of infection prevention and control standards and the ability to direct a hospital-wide program, including policy and procedure development, education, surveillance and monitoring, reporting and recommendations, implementation of action plans, and evaluation of results. Employee Health responsibilities include required services and vaccination knowledge and administration.

The position requires effective communication, listening, conflict resolution, and the ability to motivate others. The Infection Preventionist must work independently with minimal supervision, make and own difficult decisions with appropriate consultation, resolve complex problems using data and input from others, and manage multiple priorities through organization, time management, and delegation. Strong computer skills are needed for data entry, analysis, and graphic presentation of trends.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program.
• Virginia Registered Nurse licensure or a compact license eligible for use in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Significant nursing experience.
• Experience with MS Office software, including Word and Excel, and databases.
• Experience administering vaccinations.
• Experience providing Infection Prevention and Control services as part of required Employee Health Services.
• If CIC or LTC-CIP certification has not been obtained, take the a-IPC entry-level certification examination within 90 days of hire.
• Take the CIC or LTC-CIP certification examination by the end of the third year of employment if not already certified.
• Ability to work independently, communicate effectively, resolve conflict, make decisions, analyze data, and manage multiple priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in an inpatient setting related to mental illness.
• Administrative experience.
• Experience working in a facility treating mental illness.
• Certification in Infection and Control (CIC) or Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP).
• Bilingual Spanish and English.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement a comprehensive hospital-wide infection prevention, surveillance, and control program.
• Ensure the program follows applicable Joint Commission, CMAS, CDC, Virginia Department of Health, and OSHA guidelines and standards.
• Serve as a consultant on Infection Prevention and Control issues.
• Provide Infection Prevention and Control education to patients and staff.
• Develop policies and procedures and conduct surveillance and monitoring.
• Report findings, make recommendations, implement action plans, and evaluate results.
• Provide required Employee Health services and administer vaccinations.
• Use data and stakeholder input to resolve complex problems and manage multiple priorities.

What This Job Offers

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