Infection Control Specialist

Summary

The Infection Preventionist is primarily responsible for conducting surveillance for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) as defined by the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). This position assists in implementing an active hospital-wide infection prevention and control program, supports organizational education on infection prevention and control (IPC), and participates in quality and performance improvement activities to ensure the program is conducted in accordance with recognized practices, guidelines, and regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities below represent the daily tasks; other tasks may be assigned.

• Conduct daily surveillance using the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria.
• Investigate HAIs by analyzing patient information and documentation: admissions, diagnoses, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, patient records, consultation requests, and autopsy findings.
• Assist in investigations of outbreaks (both in the main hospital and off-site) utilizing a microbiology laboratory or through consultation with Infectious Disease (ID) physicians, local and/or state health departments, and the CDC when necessary.
• Act as a resource for infection prevention and control concerns for staff, patients, and visitors.
• Assist with reviewing daily lab reports to identify patients with significant infections that require isolation and/or timely reporting to the Virginia Department of Health.
• Assist the IPC Director in implementing the hospital-wide infection control plan.
• Participate in hospital-approved database collection and input data as required.
• Participate in additional surveillance projects as directed by the Director of Infection Prevention and Control.
• Provide overall coverage of the IPC department in the absence of the Director.
• Assist in compiling and interpreting surveillance reports and participating in quality and performance improvement activities.
• Assist with planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and providing education programs for all hospital employees to increase organizational knowledge of infection and communicable diseases and various prevention methods.
• Maintain qualifications through ongoing education and training, which can be demonstrated by participation in infection control courses or local, regional, and/or national meetings and conferences organized and recognized by professional societies such as the Association of Professional in Infection Prevention and Control (APIC) and the Society of Healthcare Epidemiology (SHEA) and SHEA,
• Assist with ensuring maintenance of organizational compliance with regulatory bodies such as the CDC, Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Supervisory Responsibilities

Reports to: Director, Infection Prevention and Control

Supervises: None

Responsibilities: Not applicable

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform their essential duty. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, Environmental Health, or related field

Preferred Education: Master's Degree in Nursing, Public Health, or another health-related field

Experience:

• 5+ years of infection prevention experience with a minimum of 3 years in an acute or long-term healthcare setting required.
• Experience performing surveillance and strong knowledge of microbiology and epidemiology.
• Experience supporting DNV, CMS, and state regulatory surveys.
• Proficient in NHSN reporting and other infection surveillance systems.
• Knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship principles.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret surveillance and clinical data
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; ability to influence without authority and function autonomously.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced hospital environment.
• Strong written communication skills for policy development and regulatory reporting.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Certified in Infection Control (CIC) designation required.