Infection Preventionist

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation • Oconomowoc, WI

10h • Onsite

About The Position

The Infection Preventionist works collaboratively with the MS Director and AAH Surveillance team to develop a site Infection Prevention Plan using a risk-based approach to prevent the transmission of infections. This role collaborates between hospital-based and ambulatory/outpatient infection prevention teams, sharing resources as appropriate. The Infection Preventionist serves as a consultant to physicians, associates, patients, families, and the community on infection prevention and best practices. They work with the nursing team to identify opportunities for new infection prevention products and contribute to product innovation and evaluation. This role effectively manages the site's transmission-based isolation program in collaboration with departments and physicians, identifying strategies to improve health outcomes related to preventing hospital-acquired infections. The position involves participating in annual site and TB risk assessments, performing unit rounding and off-site visits to detect gaps in infection prevention practices and the environment of care, and making recommendations regarding construction and renovation. The Infection Preventionist participates in outbreak investigations, identifies exposures to communicable diseases, and works with Employee Health on post-exposure follow-up. They design, implement, monitor, and evaluate infection prevention programs, assist with hand hygiene programs, and develop/review policies and procedures. The role also involves identifying cost-saving initiatives, participating in continuing education, planning and implementing education programs for various personnel, leading team development, planning and chairing the infection prevention committee, and ensuring site compliance with regulatory agency requirements.

Requirements

• Infection Control (CIC) certification issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) or obtained within 2 years.
• Bachelor's Degree in Health Science, or Bachelor's Degree in Allied Health, or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or related field.
• Typically requires 5 years of experience in infection control, nursing and/or medical technology including experience with patient care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection/sterilization, adult education, infectious diseases, program administration and epidemiology.
• Demonstrated self-directed, results-oriented and creative approach to organizational change.
• Exceptional communication skills sufficient to interact with key stakeholders.
• Demonstrates results in their ability to lead others through influence.
• Candidate must be able to perform various physical tasks with a high degree of proficiency, such as articulating, hearing, viewing, and walking throughout the hospital.
• Able to handle managing multiple priorities, and the ability to change course when unanticipated events arise.

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with MS Director and AAH Surveillance team members to develop a site Infection Prevention Plan using a risk based approach to prevention and transmission of infections.
• Collaborates between the hospital based and ambulatory/outpatient infection prevention teams on issues related to infection prevention and surveillance.
• Serves as a consultant to physicians, associates, patients, families and the community on issues regarding infection prevention and best practice principles for all levels of personnel, patient and visitor to provide pathways to prevent infections in the health care environment.
• Works collaboratively with nursing team to identify opportunities from an evidenced based perspective with new infection prevention products.
• Contributes to product innovation and evaluation.
• Effectively manages the sites in collaboration with departments/physicians transmission based isolation program.
• Identify strategies to improve health outcomes as it relates to preventing hospital acquired infections or transmission of infections.
• Participates in the completion of an annual site risk assessment for Infection Prevention, including identification of measurable goals.
• Performs annual TB risk assessments to accurately determine prevention control strategies to reduce the risk for TB acquisition or transmission among patients or health care workers.
• Demonstrates high visibility and accessibility through unit rounding and off site visits to detect gaps and/or deficiencies regarding infection prevention practices and the environment of care and to identify and address potentially unsafe practices.
• Makes recommendations regarding construction, renovation, environmental rounds and assurance with National and or professional standards.
• Participates in investigations of unusual infection outbreaks in consultation with an infection Prevention physician, local and state health departments and when necessary in consultation with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Identifies exposures to communicable diseases and works with Employee Health, Managers, and physicians on post-exposure follow-up.
• Designs, implements, monitors and evaluates infection prevention programs using a multidisciplinary approach to ensure the practice of evidenced based guidelines and standards of care.
• Assists and supports the hospital/site hand hygiene program.
• Develops and/or reviews hospital or system policies and procedures using evidenced based practices with appropriate references.
• Participates in the identification of opportunities for cost saving initiatives.
• Participates in continuing education activities at the department, State and National Levels to promote personal growth and to maintain current knowledge based on the latest scientific research and evidence.
• Plans, organizes, develops and implements education programs using appropriate informational materials at appropriate level of understanding and need for associates, licensed independent practitioners and volunteers.
• Leads or actively participates in team development, achieving targets and in accomplishing department goals and objectives.
• Plans and chairs the infection prevention committee.
• Provides information to hospital committees and department managers to formulate changes in the policies, procedures and/or processes which could reduce the spread of infection.
• Ensure compliance of their respective site with all infection prevention requirements outlined by key regulatory agencies.

Benefits

• Comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs
• Competitive compensation
• Generous retirement offerings
• Programs that invest in your career development
• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

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