Infection Preventionist, Acute

Sutter Health•Jackson, MS

17d

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist provides expert consultation and support for patient care delivery and department operations in nursing, surveillance, infectious disease exposure response, data collection and analysis, interpretation and reporting, inspection, control measures, education, evaluation, recommendations, performance improvement, and compliance assessment for practices associated with preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections. The role coordinates the hospital-wide infection control program, including performance improvement to identify and prevent healthcare-associated infections, and plans and coordinates infection prevention education for hospital personnel. The Infection Preventionist also serves as a consultant, educator, role model, and advocate for change to support quality healthcare. The position is based at Sutter Amador Hospital, is part-time at 24 hours per week, and is scheduled for days with variable days of the week. Weekend work may be needed. The position is exempt and regular. The posted annual pay range is $108,076.80 to $151,307.52, with starting pay based on factors such as experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, training, and organizational needs. Eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package. Employees may handle hazardous drugs in accordance with applicable NIOSH and USP 800 guidelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing, public health, microbiology, or epidemiology; equivalent experience may be accepted in lieu of education.
One of the following credentials or licenses: California Registered Nurse (RN), Medical Doctor (MD), Pharmacist (PharmD), Physician Assistant (PA), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Doctor of Podiatry (DPM), or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO).
Infection Prevention and Control Certification (CIC) within 36 months.
Five years of recent relevant experience.
Knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology, statistical analysis, patient care standards and technology, infectious disease, sterilization, sanitation and disinfection practices, and/or adult education principles.
Knowledge of relevant regulatory, accrediting, and advisory body requirements.
Ability to work effectively with healthcare personnel, public health services at local, state, and national levels, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to educate and respond to hospital and external agency personnel.
Computer literacy, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, word processing, statistical software, and online services.
Basic understanding of performance improvement monitoring and development of performance improvement indicators.
Ability to solve complex problems, manage crises, apply mathematical concepts to analysis and problem solving, and create and translate clinical data into reports and presentations.
Ability to define issues, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Critical thinking, analytical skills, and attention to detail; proactive issue identification and resolution.
Ability to influence others through persuasion and problem solving and to collaborate with varied stakeholders.
Customer service focus in decisions and actions.
Ability to communicate and present information to a variety of audiences and maintain effective working relationships.
Respect for cultural and linguistic differences and a commitment to an inclusive work environment.
Initiative in providing feedback to improve workflows and processes; ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
Ability to maintain and discreetly handle confidential information.

Responsibilities

Provide expert consultation and support for patient care delivery and department operations related to infection prevention and control.
Conduct or support surveillance, infectious disease exposure response, data collection, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
Perform inspections and recommend or implement infection control measures.
Evaluate compliance with infection prevention and control practices.
Coordinate the hospital-wide infection control program, including performance improvement to identify and prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Plan and coordinate education for hospital personnel regarding infection control and prevention practices.
Serve as a consultant, educator, role model, and proponent of change to support quality healthcare.