Job Board

Position Summary:The Infection Preventionist is responsible for surveillance, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of infections including healthcare acquired infections (HAIs); investigation and response to outbreaks of infection among patients and/or healthcare personnel; consultation to all hospital units/clinics/departments on infection control practices; development of resources and education related to infection prevention and control practices; and serving as a liaison with other entities within the UNM Health System and also county and state health departments. This individual will work with multidisciplinary departments to ensure prevention measures are in place and facilitate adherence with regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and other recommended or evidence-based practices aimed at prevention of infections including HAIs and other communicable infectious diseases encountered in the healthcare setting. Ensure adherence to Hospitals and departmental policies and procedures. No patient care assignment.

Related Education and Experience may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis.Accountability:

INFECTION CONTROL - Conduct surveillance of infections including HAIs and notifiable infections; detect, investigate, summarize findings, and assist with response to clusters or outbreaks in the healthcare setting

DATA - Collect, prepare, analyze and present valid, accurate and meaningful data in a variety of formats for various units, clinics, departments and committees

RECORDS – Apply Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HAI definitions to detect and track HAIs; keep up-to-date and accurate records of HAIs and other pertinent infections in the hospital; assure accuracy of data entry

INFECTION CONTROL – Conduct communicable disease outbreak investigations occurring in the hospital and clinics; coordinate management with physicians, Occupational Health, and public health authorities as appropriate

INFECTION CONTROL - Conduct rounds on a regular basis within the hospital to review infection control practices, identify infection control gaps, and advice regarding the proper use of personal protective equipment and application of transmission-based precautions

EDUCATION – Provide education regarding the principles and techniques of infection control to all departments

QUALITY- Lead, facilitate and participate on improvement teams related to HAIs, and/or relevant infection control processes/practices initiatives

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES - Maintain an understanding of departmental policies in order to provide coverage during the absence of the Infection Prevention and Control Director

POLICIES & PROCEDURES - Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures; identify and recommend areas of improvement

INFECTION CONTROL – Monitor, report, and assist in the hospital's compliance with national, state, county, and local health department rules and regulations pertinent to hospital infection control. Assure safe environment for patients, personnel and visitors

INFECTION CONTROL-Demonstrate and maintain competency in IPC and healthcare epidemiology

EDUCATION – Serve as a knowledgeable and available resource on infection control and prevention practices and policies throughout UNMH Hospitals and the UNM Health System; alert the Director and the Hospital Epidemiologist to issues encountered

QUALITY – Identify, lead and participate in performance improvement projects that enrich interactions, simplify access and ease frustrations of patients and family members by evaluating current practices and recommending opportunities for improvement based off trend data

SUPPLIES - Provide input into supply chain system on evaluation, selection and implementation of products and equipment for clinical use or specifically for prevention of infection

COMMITTEES - Serve as member of the Infection Control Committee and as a member of hospital committees in which the Infection Prevention and Control Department is assigned

STUDIES - Participate, as assigned, in specialty studies to identify, investigate or illustrate infection control practices

DEVELOPMENT - Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops

PATIENT SAFETY 1 - Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols

PATIENT SAFETY 2 - Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes

PATIENT SAFETY 3 - Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk

PATIENT SAFETY 4 - Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner

PATIENT SAFETY 5 - Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right"

Education Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree in related discipline

Experience Requirements:

2 years directly related experience

Licensure/Certification Requirements:

Certification by the Association of Practitioners Infection Control and Epidemiology within 4 years of date of position

Education Requirements - Preferred:

Master's Degree in related discipline

Experience Requirements - Preferred:

Infection control experience

Physical Demands Requirements:

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. May require walking or standing to a significant degree or requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or may require working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of materials is negligible.

Testing Requirements:

Tuberculosis testing is completed upon hire and additionally as required

Working Conditions Requirements:

Sig Hazard: Chemicals, bio hazardous materials requiring extensive safety precautions and may require protective equipment