Infection Prevention – Medical Device Reprocessing

Role Overview

• Responsible for management of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) activities under the guidance of the Manager of Infection Prevention.
• Provides coordination and support for the implementation of a system-wide infection control and prevention program to identify, prevent, and eliminate or reduce sources of infection.
• Assists in the implementation and monitoring of processes to reduce hospital-associated infections (HAI).
• Ensures compliance with infection control standards, meeting all local, State, and Federal regulatory requirements.
• Applies epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification to identify target populations, analyzes trends and risk factors, and designs and evaluates prevention and control strategies.
• Performs surveillance using NHSN criteria, documentation, and investigation of HAI through review of admission diagnoses, laboratory results, isolation, patient records, consultation requests, post-discharge surveillance, and autopsy findings.
• Utilizes computer-based programs for tracking, reporting, and disseminating information from surveillance activities.
• Prepares statistical reports utilizing epidemiologic principles to identify and analyze infection trends.
• Investigate, document, and report infection control issues to the manager and IPC/Quality Committee.
• Investigate infection outbreaks utilizing laboratory results in consultation with the IPC Manager, Infectious Disease Physician, County/State public health departments, and, if necessary, the Center for Disease Control.
• Implements mitigation strategies in the event of communicable disease outbreaks within the health care facilities and/or community.
• Functions as an integral part of quality and performance improvement initiatives.
• Participates in environmental rounds and construction risk assessments for inpatient, outpatient, and off-site patient care areas by identifying infection prevention issues with the multidisciplinary health care team and providing sound interventions to maintain patient, visitor, and associate safety.
• Provides expert knowledge and guidance in IPC and epidemiology through the integration of evidence-based practice, policy and procedures, and compliance with regulatory and accreditation agency standards.
• Provides guidance for high-level disinfection and sterilization practices by supporting proper cleaning, disinfection and sterilization practices of medical instruments and equipment.
• Collaborates with Employee Health in evaluating employee exposures to communicable diseases and supports coordination of appropriate follow-up.
• Serves as a content expert and educational resource for health care providers, ancillary staff, patients, families, and the public, providing education and increasing awareness of HAI and IPC measures.

Requirements

• Education Qualifications Required Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree
• Healthcare-related field
• Preferred Education: Master’s Degree
• Health-related field
• Licensing/ Certification Registration in a specialty healthcare field of study noted above, e.g., Public Health, Medical Technician, etc.
• Must be non-expired/active unless otherwise stated.
• Licensure/Certification Required Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
• Certified Endoscope Preprocessor (CER) or Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS).
• Central Sterilization Certifications
• Licensure/Certification Preferred Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL)
• Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM)
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC), awarded by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc(CBIC), within 3 years.
• Minimum Qualifications Minimum Years and Type of Experience Experience of 2-5 years in direct clinical patient care or a related healthcare field.
• Prefer infection control/prevention experience.
• Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required Demonstrated ability/experience to lead and facilitate multi-disciplinary teams;
• Demonstrated experience in performance improvement.
• Proficient in computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Preferred Knowledge of improvement science.

Benefits

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