Centra Health
Infection Prevention Specialist (LGH ONSITE, FT, Days)
Centra Health, Lynchburg, Virginia, us, 24513
Infection Prevention Specialist (LGH ONSITE, FT, Days)
Join to apply for the
Infection Prevention Specialist (LGH ONSITE, FT, Days)
role at
Centra Health
Job Description
Under varying levels of supervision, depending on Assignment Level, conducts, facilitates, develops and monitors activities and functions relating to surveillance, investigation, analysis, interpretation, reporting, prevention and control of infections and communicable diseases. Participates in assessing, implementing, and maintaining a culture of safety across the continuum of care, by performing a wide range of prevention and control functions. Supports the delivery of safe patient-centered, quality care and collaborates with various departments across the health care setting to facilitate improved outcomes and patient experience. Acts in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations and infection control standards.
Responsibilities
Under direct supervision, conducts infection control surveillance and activities, assists with investigations of outbreaks and education and consultation of healthcare providers (HCPs), and performs healthcare associated infections (HAI) prevention activities.
Conducts ongoing infection control surveillance, prevention, and control program activities within a health care setting to identify early and/or suspected outbreaks of infections and communicable diseases, and to control and reduce the risk of exposure and avoid transmission by using epidemiologic principles. Approximately 80% of time will be spent on surveillance.
Collects, tabulates, analyzes, and interprets infection data and records, and prepares and reviews reports; utilizes appropriate reporting programs; accurately reports "reportable diseases" to the appropriate public health departments and responds to public health department inquiries, as needed.
Reviews daily microbiology and virology reports for culture results that may represent HAI.
Conducts regular device rounds on patients with invasive devices to assess compliance with HAI prevention bundles, provides real time feedback and coaching to staff during device rounds, and follows up to ensure compliance with
Reviews patient charts for evidence of HAIs and applies NHSN definitions to identify and report HAIs through the use of an electronic surveillance system. Documents appropriate information in patient electronic record.
Assists with investigations of clusters of infections, outbreaks, unusual infections or exposures as these events arise and participates in epidemiologic studies, as needed.
Assists with reviewing construction plans and designs and with completion of Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRAs), as needed.
Serves as a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
Conducts weekly environmental rounding, as assigned.
Consults with HCPs to answer infection prevention and control questions or concerns from staff, patients, and/or families. Advises staff on appropriate isolation practices and use of personal protective equipment.
Conducts mandatory education, as well as new employee orientation sessions, in-services and other educational sessions; participates in the antibiotic stewardship program.
Assists with the review of infection prevention and control policies and procedures and with risk assessments to identify gaps in infection prevention and control and areas of priority.
Maintains compliance with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels, facilitates compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, and stays current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards. Participates in Joint Commission, Department of Health and other regulatory readiness.
Performs related duties, as assigned, which may include periodic responsibility for responding to urgent infection prevention questions after hours or on weekends.
Qualifications
Required Education: Associates degree or higher
Preferred Education: Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program or Bachelors Degree in Medical Technology, Biology, or Microbiology
Preferred Certifications and Licensures: Certification in Infection Prevention and Control
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Hospitals and Health Care
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Infection Prevention Specialist (LGH ONSITE, FT, Days)
role at
Centra Health
Job Description
Under varying levels of supervision, depending on Assignment Level, conducts, facilitates, develops and monitors activities and functions relating to surveillance, investigation, analysis, interpretation, reporting, prevention and control of infections and communicable diseases. Participates in assessing, implementing, and maintaining a culture of safety across the continuum of care, by performing a wide range of prevention and control functions. Supports the delivery of safe patient-centered, quality care and collaborates with various departments across the health care setting to facilitate improved outcomes and patient experience. Acts in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations and infection control standards.
Responsibilities
Under direct supervision, conducts infection control surveillance and activities, assists with investigations of outbreaks and education and consultation of healthcare providers (HCPs), and performs healthcare associated infections (HAI) prevention activities.
Conducts ongoing infection control surveillance, prevention, and control program activities within a health care setting to identify early and/or suspected outbreaks of infections and communicable diseases, and to control and reduce the risk of exposure and avoid transmission by using epidemiologic principles. Approximately 80% of time will be spent on surveillance.
Collects, tabulates, analyzes, and interprets infection data and records, and prepares and reviews reports; utilizes appropriate reporting programs; accurately reports "reportable diseases" to the appropriate public health departments and responds to public health department inquiries, as needed.
Reviews daily microbiology and virology reports for culture results that may represent HAI.
Conducts regular device rounds on patients with invasive devices to assess compliance with HAI prevention bundles, provides real time feedback and coaching to staff during device rounds, and follows up to ensure compliance with
Reviews patient charts for evidence of HAIs and applies NHSN definitions to identify and report HAIs through the use of an electronic surveillance system. Documents appropriate information in patient electronic record.
Assists with investigations of clusters of infections, outbreaks, unusual infections or exposures as these events arise and participates in epidemiologic studies, as needed.
Assists with reviewing construction plans and designs and with completion of Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRAs), as needed.
Serves as a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee.
Conducts weekly environmental rounding, as assigned.
Consults with HCPs to answer infection prevention and control questions or concerns from staff, patients, and/or families. Advises staff on appropriate isolation practices and use of personal protective equipment.
Conducts mandatory education, as well as new employee orientation sessions, in-services and other educational sessions; participates in the antibiotic stewardship program.
Assists with the review of infection prevention and control policies and procedures and with risk assessments to identify gaps in infection prevention and control and areas of priority.
Maintains compliance with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels, facilitates compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, and stays current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards. Participates in Joint Commission, Department of Health and other regulatory readiness.
Performs related duties, as assigned, which may include periodic responsibility for responding to urgent infection prevention questions after hours or on weekends.
Qualifications
Required Education: Associates degree or higher
Preferred Education: Graduate of an accredited Nursing Program or Bachelors Degree in Medical Technology, Biology, or Microbiology
Preferred Certifications and Licensures: Certification in Infection Prevention and Control
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Hospitals and Health Care
#J-18808-Ljbffr