Infection Preventionist

JOB SUMMARY

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for the surveillance and reporting of nosocomial infections and the screening of residents and patients for health-related illnesses and reportable diseases. Acts as the Nurse Staff Educator and is responsible for the nurse staff education training program. Is responsible for Employee Health in all areas of infection prevention; including administering and monitoring immunizations and the respiratory protection program and its requirements to ensure compliance with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Washington State Law. Is responsible for investigation of sharps injuries and blood exposure as needed. If needed, will be available to help in any area of the facility depending on patient acuity or need.

DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Systematically and accurately collects, records, tracks and trends data for hospital acquired infections and communicates the information with the proper agencies and audience.
2. Ability to compile, maintain, and interpret data.
3. Ability to report data statistics to the proper entities.
4. Monitors lab data and patient diagnoses through EMR and manually, to identify reportable diseases; communicates effectively with the Health District regarding reportable diseases and outbreaks.
5. Reports collected data to NHSN per CMS regulations.
6. Works with healthcare professionals to ensure that patients, residents, and nursing staff receive accurate and current educational instructions and required training.
7. Serves as a resource for personnel regarding Infection Prevention issues.
8. Works with personnel to ensure immunizations, respiratory and tuberculosis testing requirements are compliant.
9. Antimicrobial Stewardship participation in ED, West Wing and Long-Term Care.
10. Serves as a resource to Nursing and Medical Staff regarding infection prevention issues, including the placement of patients with communicable diseases and implementation of isolation protocols.
11. Actively performs audits for quality measures ensuring proper infection prevention standards ie. hand hygiene, respiratory and tuberculosis protocols are being followed and are compliant.
12. Chairs all Infection Prevention meetings and assures the information provided is accurate and complete.
13. Ability to do injections.
14. Demonstrates the ability to develop and sustain nurse staff education and training program.
15. Collects and compiles data related to training content to determine value.
16. Participates in outside seminars and training sessions as necessary.
17. Participates in continuing education in infection prevention by journal/literature review and periodic attendance at APIC workshops related to infection prevention including webinars.
18. Educates staff on the proper use of barrier protection, such as goggles, masks, respirators, sterile gloves, to include precaution rounds for quarterly reporting.
19. Communicates with regulatory agencies, i.e. Dept. of Health, DSHS, Labor and Industries and any other agency pertinent to the job.
20. Maintains current knowledge of regulatory standards, including nurse education, employee health, OSHA/DOSH/WISHA, and WAC.