Download Infection-Preventionist-HRJD.136

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HUMAN RESOURCES JOB DESCRIPTIONS / Nursing Administration
SUBJECT: Infection Preventionist
HRJD.136
JOB DESCRIPTION
Infection Preventionist
Department:
Reports to:
Nursing Administration
Director of Clinical Services (DCS)
Job Summary:
The Infection Preventionist carries out the infection control duties of surveillance,
education, and consultation as assigned by the Director of Quality and abides by the
Standards of Behavior for the organization. This position, under the direction of the
infection control committee, is responsible for the management and operation of the
Hospital’s infection prevention program.
MAJOR TASK, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Managing critical data and information, including surveillance of hospital-acquired
infections (HAI) infections. Assist with collection of infection control data as directed
which includes but is not limited to:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Review microbiology reports
Review patient care records
Consult with patient care staff to collect specific infection data
Complete data entry forms accurately
Formulate questions for review by medical consultant
Formulate prevention plans and assist clinical departments with implementation
plans
o Evaluate and monitor adherence to intervention plans
o Standard:

Conduct environmental rounds monthly in all inpatient and outpatient care
areas

Act as an infection prevention resource for all staff
2. Assists with the preparation and presentation of reports and data analysis as
directed by the Director of Quality. Data collected for reports (i.e. focus studies,
communicable disease reports, post-exposure reports) is accurately aggregated and
data analyzed, if appropriate:
o Standard:

Accurate aggregated data for reports and studies prepared prior to the
scheduled reporting month

Data analyzed as directed by the Director of Quality

Information pertinent to quality assurance and/or risk management is reported
to the Director of Quality
Original Date: 11-7-13 [4]
Approved, Director of Clinical Services: 11-Nov-13
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HUMAN RESOURCES JOB DESCRIPTIONS / Nursing Administration
SUBJECT: Infection Preventionist
HRJD.136
3. Setting and recommending policies and procedures to insure rigorous infection
control standards that meet Centers for Medicaid / Medicare Services (CMS),
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety & Health
Administration (OSHA) and other nationally organized agency recommendations and
requirements. Written infection prevention and control policies and procedures must
be established, implemented, maintained and updated periodically. Policies and
procedures should be monitored periodically for performance:
o Standard:

Writes and/or reviews policies and procedures as directed by the Director of
Quality

Participates in implementing new and existing policies and procedures

Monitors infection control policy and procedures annually and reports results
to the Director of Quality
4. Intervening directly to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. Able to identify
and assist when needed in patient placement and transfer/discharge situations
involving patients with communicable diseases/conditions. Possess the capacity to
identify communicable diseases/conditions, occurrences of outbreaks and/or
clusters of infectious diseases. In the event of an outbreak or cluster of infection,
participates in investigation and implementation of appropriate control measures:
o Standard:

No valid complaints received of patient placement or transfer situations
involving patients with communicable diseases/conditions related to a
decision made by the Infection Preventionist

Identifies the occurrence of outbreaks or clusters of infectious diseases, when
they occur

Assists in the investigation and implementation of appropriate control
measures for contagious diseases/conditions and in an outbreak or cluster of
infection situation as directed by the Infection Control Committee Chair
5. Interacts with physicians, nurses, department managers and other professional and
non professional staff members to resolve infection control problems and identify
new opportunities to improve service by educating and training healthcare workers
and providers. Able to provide ongoing educational orientation and programs in
infection prevention and control to healthcare workers appropriate to the education
level of learners. Able to evaluate education programs for effectiveness. Records
attendance per Hospital policy:
o Standard:

Provides infection prevention and control education for hospital orientation
and classes/programs on infection prevention and control as directed by the
Director of Quality

Two classes per year will be developed, instructed and evaluated by the
Infection Preventionist
Original Date: 11-7-13 [4]
Approved, Director of Clinical Services: 11-Nov-13
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HUMAN RESOURCES JOB DESCRIPTIONS / Nursing Administration
SUBJECT: Infection Preventionist
HRJD.136
6. Participates in Product Evaluation. Product review is conducted on new and, when
appropriate, existing products to evaluate whether the product may contribute to a
decrease in infection risk, or not increase the infection risk for patients and/or others.
Invasive products and those used in sterilization; disinfection and cleaning as well as
hand hygiene products have the highest priority:
o Standard:

Products are reviewed and input is given in a timely manner for the Supply
Standardization Committee

No valid complaints are received regarding timely review
7. Participates in facility design, construction and renovation/remodels. The Infection
Preventionist will work collaboratively with the Director of Plant Operations, project
manager and/or other departments for risk assessment, planning and monitoring.
Hospital Policies and Procedures for the assessment and management of
construction, renovation, and maintenance activity will be used (as they relate to
infection control and prevention) to reduce the risk of infection during and after
construction, renovation or maintenance activities:
o Standard:

Participates in infection risk assessment, planning and monitoring related to
construction, renovation and maintenance as requested by the Director of
Quality

Documents participation in team meetings

Documents findings during monitoring of projects and takes appropriate
action if breeches of infection control permit are identified
8. Compliance with regulations, guidelines, and accreditation requirements.
Collaboratively works with the local Department of Public Health and Employee
Health Department on exposures to communicable diseases/conditions.
Collaborates and provides liaison to appropriate local and state health departments
for reporting of communicable diseases and conditions and to assist with the control
of infectious diseases. Current regulations, guidelines and accreditation
requirements are considered when developing policies and procedures, planning
education programs, doing infection risk interventions and in surveillance activities.
Participates in performance improvement activities as directed by the Director of
Quality:
o Standard:

No valid complaints received regarding exposure to communicable diseases
or conditions follow up from Employee Health and Stanislaus County Public
Health Department

No valid complaints from Public Health Department regarding lack of
information, accuracy of information submitted, or adherence to timeliness for
reporting as set forth by Stanislaus County Health Department

Policies and procedures, education programs, risk interventions and
surveillance are consistent with current regulations, guidelines and
accreditation requirements
Original Date: 11-7-13 [4]
Approved, Director of Clinical Services: 11-Nov-13
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HUMAN RESOURCES JOB DESCRIPTIONS / Nursing Administration
SUBJECT: Infection Preventionist
HRJD.136
9. Completes special projects, additional tasks as assigned. Includes participation on
Performance Improvement teams upon request by the Director of Quality
o Standard:

Performance to be evaluated in terms of:
a. Accuracy
b. Completion
c. Adherence to instructions
d. Cooperation
10. Manages Employee Health:
a. Maintains employee health files
b. Verifies new hire vaccinations / administers vaccinations
c. Monthly annual and new hire orientation and reorientation
The above statement reflects the general duties considered necessary to describe the
principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered as a detailed
description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
 Graduation from an accredited school of nursing
Experience:
 Two years of experience in health care preferred
 Two years of experience in Infection Control or progressive experience in nursing,
epidemiology, or public health may be substituted
Required Course(s)/Training
 Knowledge of data collection techniques
 Knowledge of microbiology terminology
 Basic mathematical, statistical and data analysis skills (rate calculation, trend
analysis, etc.)
 Competent in the application and reading of skin tests
 Able to write legibly and effectively present ideas; document activities; read and
interpret technical information
 Able to communicate (read, write, hear, understand) clearly and effectively in
English to the degree required to perform the job
 Capable of basic computer skills-database management and word processing
Original Date: 11-7-13 [4]
Approved, Director of Clinical Services: 11-Nov-13
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HUMAN RESOURCES JOB DESCRIPTIONS / Nursing Administration
SUBJECT: Infection Preventionist
HRJD.136
Preferred Qualifications:
 Bachelors degree in Nursing or related field
 Attendance at a Center for Disease Control (CDC), State of California, or
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
sponsored Infection Control Training Course
Required Certification/Registration:


Current RN licensure with the State of California
Current Certification in Infection Control (CIC) by the Certification Board of Infection
Control
Employee Signature
Original Date: 11-7-13 [4]
Approved, Director of Clinical Services: 11-Nov-13
Date