RN-Infection Preventionist

Kaweah Health•Visalia, CA

3d•$46 - $70

About The Position

The RN-Field Infection Preventionist assesses, develops, implements, and monitors facility-wide infection prevention practices in designated units or locales. The role includes surveillance for community-acquired infections and prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections. The Infection Preventionist serves as a resource to facility staff, using infection data and evidence-based research to identify concerns and recommend solutions. The position requires collaborative working relationships with the IP Manager, team members, physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary staff. The role leads infection prevention and control activities, conducts surveillance and investigations, provides clinical guidance and education, supports regulatory compliance and quality improvement, and coordinates with public health officials when needed. The position is full-time, benefit-eligible, and works a day shift of eight hours or less.

Requirements

California RN license.
Eligibility to obtain Board Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology within three years of hire or transfer.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Minimum of three years of RN hospital experience.
Experience with data management.
Ability to use PC-based information management systems and databases, including proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Positive customer service skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to educate and influence staff at all levels of the organization.
Detail-oriented, with strong organizational and time management skills.

Nice To Haves

Five years of RN hospital experience.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate clinical infection prevention and control activities to reduce healthcare-associated infection risk and promote patient safety.
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, and interdisciplinary teams to implement infection prevention measures and improve clinical care practices.
Conduct clinical surveillance, assess and analyze infection data, identify trends, evaluate patient care practices, and support evidence-based interventions.
Apply nursing knowledge and clinical judgment to evaluate infection risks and recommend appropriate prevention interventions.
Inspect the environment to identify infection improvement issues.
Investigate healthcare-associated infections, outbreaks, and exposure incidents, and coordinate clinical response, reporting, and corrective action plans.
Complete HAI-related reports and data and submit them to the Manager for further analysis when necessary.
Provide clinical consultation and guidance on isolation and transmission-based precautions, communicable diseases, and infection control best practices.
Collaborate in the management of patients with special or communicable diseases.
Develop, review, and implement infection prevention policies and procedures aligned with regulatory, accreditation, and professional standards.
Educate healthcare personnel, patients, and families on infection prevention, safe clinical practices, and disease transmission prevention.
Perform clinical audits, rounding, and compliance monitoring to evaluate adherence to infection prevention standards and nursing practices.
Serve as a clinical resource and subject matter expert in infection prevention, epidemiology, and healthcare-associated infection reduction.
Conduct special surveys as directed by the Infection Prevention Manager.
Support regulatory compliance and accreditation readiness activities related to infection prevention, patient safety, and quality improvement.
Participate actively in research related to infection prevention and control.
Monitor patients placed in transmission-based precautions.
Participate in organizational quality improvement, patient safety, emergency preparedness, infectious disease, and public health response initiatives.
Liaise with public health officials on case investigation and follow-up to prevent or control infection transmission.
Provide care and services appropriate to the population served, accounting for patient and family cultural, linguistic, spiritual, gender, developmental, and age-specific needs.
Perform other duties as assigned.