HMC - Infection Preventionist

In collaboration with the Infection Prevention and Employee Health team, the Infection Prevention and Employee Health Nurse is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Infection Prevention and Control and Employee Health Program for all Empath Health programs with attention to policy, program-specific unique requirements, infection risks and regulations.  The IPEHN possesses clinical expertise and utilizes critical thinking skills to engage in practices of infection risk assessment, surveillance analysis, investigation and control of healthcare acquired infections and outbreaks. The IPEHN facilitates methods for safety, prevention, and control of infectious diseases for all patients/clients, employees, volunteers and visitors through ongoing research and integration of evidence-based best practices, education/trainings, policy development, and observation of practices through rounding and formal evaluation of the effectiveness of all infection prevention efforts. The IPEHN promotes a safe working environment through pre-employment and annual health screenings and education and monitoring of employee exposures, injuries, and illnesses.

INFECTION PREVENTION and CONTROL FUNCTIONS:

• Implements Empath Health policy/practices to meet all infection prevention and employee health related regulatory standards from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Health (DOH), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA), and the State of Florida (AHCA).
• Implements Empath Health policy/practices that meet all infection prevention and employee health related accreditation standards from The Joint Commission (TJC), Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), and Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).
• Completes annual Infection/TB Risk assessment for all relevant programs in collaboration with supervisor and department leadership.
• Writes, implements, and evaluates annual Infection Prevention goals to meet accreditation and regulatory requirements and mitigate risk.
• Conducts ongoing infection surveillance activities for all relevant programs using Centers for Disease Control criteria; with supervisor provides analysis to all interested internal departments or regulators.
• Applies Epidemiological principles, data collection and analysis of information in partnership with DOH, Physician Services, Informatics and Quality team.
• Investigates all health care acquired infections providing follow-through actions as needed.
• Manages outbreak investigations or pandemic response with follow-up actions in collaboration with supervisor, department leaders and local/state or federal authorities.
• Communicates with community agencies, including the Department of Health, when patients or employees have a reportable/communicable disease.
• Conducts regular Infection Control rounds for all Empath Health congregate facilities assuring best practices in infection prevention and control and environment of care practices.
• Complete Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) during construction and renovation.
• Collaborates with appropriate department leaders on industry standards/regulations and infection prevention for congregate areas to include cleaning/disinfection of patient care areas and DOH kitchen cleaning and food handling standards.
• Collaborates with department leaders on management of food handling and biomedical waste permits through the county health departments.
• Provides/guides orientation (new hire) and annual training on infection prevention and control practices, principles, and policies regarding bloodborne pathogens, other infectious diseases, and healthcare infection risk prevention. Implements ongoing educational programs as needed to increase awareness of disease processes, infection prevention, and measures to provide a safe working environment.
• Serves as a knowledgeable resource on infection control practices to colleagues, patients, families, volunteers, and physicians.
• Participate in robust process improvement and QAPI actions to drive best practices in prevention of patient infections and patient/colleague safety and to meet regulatory requirements. 

EMPLOYEE HEALTH FUNCTIONS:

• Administer TST/Influenza Vaccine/Hep B series/FIT testing for employees.
• Educates staff and advocates for CDC best practice recommendations around immunization for health care workers.
• In collaboration with Human Resources and supervisor, oversees the Employee Health Program including oversight of the maintenance of employee health files that meet policy and regulatory standards.
• Collaborates with Human Resources to ensure completion of all pre-employment and annual health screenings for employees.
• Collaborates with the Volunteer Program to facilitate completion of onboarding and annual screenings for volunteers.
• Trends employee illnesses and analyzes for patient/employee or other transmission patterns in collaboration with supervisor. Includes volunteers in any transmission analysis.
• In collaboration with Human Resources and supervisor, trends employee illness and injuries for enhanced safety and process improvement.
• Develops and implements an Injury and Post Exposure Plan (includes bloodborne pathogen) for all employees and volunteers.
• Develops and implements an employee and volunteer Tuberculosis Screening and Exposure Plan including the TB screening program based on CDC guidelines for Tuberculosis.
• Develops and implements the annual Flu Vaccine Program and for employees and volunteers.
• Develops and implements the Respiratory Protection Plan fit testing practices for Empath employees and volunteers that meet all OSHA and other relevant regulatory body regulations. 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Florida licensed R.N. required.
• Infection Control and Employee Health experienced preferred.
• Minimum of (1) one year clinical nursing experience that includes basic nursing skills with administration of medications; (2) two or more years clinical nursing experience preferred.
• Must be Certified in Infection Control (CIC) eligible within one year.
• Must have a Valid Florida drivers License, maintain current auto insurance coverage and have access to a reliable automobile.
• Must be able to travel within the state as needed for work.
• Ability to work in the field, exercising discretion and independent judgment.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations, as well as documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, patients/families or employees.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and ability to demonstrate essential usage.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to operate a facsimile, copy machines, computers and other common office machines, with working knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, Excel and other software appropriate to positions.