Infection Prevention Specialist

Description

Job Title: Temporary Infection Prevention Specialist 

Department: Infection Control

Reports To: Human Resource Director

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Hours: 40/week 

Shift: Days

This is a temporary position with the potential to transition to permanent full-time. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsible for coordinating the activities throughout the facility's infection prevention and control program, including hospital, transitional care, home health, and outpatient areas. Assumes responsibility for infection surveillance, infection reporting, and provision of infection prevention and control technical support and education for the facility staff. The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this job.

• Make recommendations regarding the prevention and control of infection on a 24-hour basis
• Provide advice for staff members regarding managing infectious patients/residents and other infection-prevention issues
• Develop and implement an annual infection prevention plan with the Infection Control Committee (ICC)
• Monitor for and document patient and resident-acquired infections with the nursing staff
• Ensure the completion of audits regarding implementing and complying with infection control policies
• Provide infection control education, training, and annual competencies for staff members and independent practitioners
• Assist in developing and enforcing written standards, policies, and procedures regarding infection control
• Work with the Occupational Health Coordinator/Employee Health regarding relevant staff member health issues
• Provides backup coverage for the Occupational Health Coordinator/Employee Health to meet operational needs and rules and regulations
• Work with clinical teams regarding the development of standards, audits, and research
• Present/provide infection reports to the ICC, Quality Assurance, Medical Staff, CEO, and Board of Trustees as requested
• Cooperate with the county and state health departments regarding infectious and contagious disease reporting
• Report numbers and data to all appropriate entities
• Adhere to all laws and regulations as they relate to Infection Control Prevention
• Maintain confidentiality by protecting information that is sensitive, proprietary, or confidential. Adhere to HIPAA privacy and security requirements
• Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols
• Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required to maintain Infection Control Standards as set by the facility
• Performs other related duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES

• A service-minded work ethic with a drive to meet needs and a positive, upbeat attitude when encountering ambiguity and change
• Ability to interact effectively with people who have widely differing backgrounds
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at a time
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when appropriate
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization's electronic medical record, medical equipment, and other technologies. 
• Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn other software, as applicable
• Proficiency in faxing, emailing, and Google Suite
• Must be capable of supervising multiple projects at the same time 
• Must be able to hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergencies

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

• A current nursing license (RN or LPN) in Idaho or a Bachelor's in a health-related field is required
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in healthcare required
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Certified Infection Control (CIC) certification in Idaho within eighteen months of hire

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS)

• Regular and predictable attendance
• Regularly required to sit, bend, stoop, and stretch
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator, and other office equipment
• Requires a normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate reports
• Frequently able to lift/carry up to 50 pounds
• This job's specific vision abilities include seeing and reading reports and data.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to access and navigate throughout the department within the organization's facilities
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing, accessing needed information, emailing, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• FCMC operates 24 hours per day, each day of the year; operational needs of departments may require that you be available to work all shifts, weekends, and holidays to meet the needs of the patients.
• Potential exposure to blood, body tissue, fluids, contagious diseases, and hazardous waste.
• Occasional exposure to bodily injury, loud/unpleasant noise, unpleasant odor, emotional or physical stress.  
• May be required to work day or night in a confined environment or a variation of different temperatures. 
• The employee works in a hospital setting
• May be required to travel to other facilities to obtain training/certification as necessary