Infection Preventionist

Summary:
Under the supervision of the Director Epidemiology and Infection Prevention for Lifespan and the Medical Director Epidemiology and Infection Control is responsible for investigating nosocomial infections using advanced surveillance techniques.  Develops and implements policies and procedures related to epidemiology infection control and infectious diseases.  Responsible for investigating nosocomial infections using standard epidemiologic methods and able to function independently.

 

Responsibilities:

Investigates outbreaks of infection in conjunction with department.  Establishes etiology develops interventions and evaluate outcomes.  Obtains specimens from patients hospital personnel and environmental reservoirs to determine source of infection during outbreaks.  Uses molecular biological techniques to type bacteria and determine similarities of isolates.  Monitors endemic hospital-acquired infections or potential sources of infection following procedural changes by use of surveillance cultures.  Carries out investigations to determine risk of infection from medical devices.  

Coordinates and performs safety and surveillance rounds throughout the hospital in collaboration with safety and facilities management personnel.  Integrates monitoring of infection control practices and standard precautions into rounds.

Serves as consultant and educator to healthcare team members.  Develops and presents in-service education programs regarding infection control for all areas of the hospital.  Compiles and analyzes infection control data and creates related reports for end users.  Compiles and analyzes data from research studies in order to identify risk factors and etiologies associated with specific infections.

Utilizes local area computer network for the Epidemiology and Infection Control Department.  Participates in the development or updating of computer programs to enhance the productivity of the Epidemiology and Infection Control Department. 

Performs surveillance activities as designated on an assigned basis.  Carries out delegated responsibilities in the absence of the Director and/or Medical Director of Epidemiology and Infection Control Department.

Reviews revises and updates policies and procedures related to infection control practice.  

Represents Epidemiology and Infection Control Department on assigned committees and/or Task Forces.

 

Other information:

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

Bachelor�s Degree in medical technology nursing or related field.  Evidence of graduate level courses in microbiology or epidemiology preferred.

Incumbent must be certified as Infection Control Professional or meet eligibility requirements for such certification.

Demonstrated knowledge of the care provided in the tertiary acute-care hospital to patients throughout the continuum of life with consideration of aging processes human development stages and cultural patterns in each step of the care process.

Demonstrated skills with personal computers and software to include database management spreadsheets word processing and graphics applications.

Demonstrated skill with both verbal and written communication.

EXPERIENCE:

Three years experience in hospital epidemiology/infection control. 

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

Performs independently within department policies and practices.  Refers specific complex problems to Director where clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

None.

 

Lifespan is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age ethnicity sexual orientation ancestry genetics gender identity or expression disability protected veteran or marital status.   Lifespan is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

 

Location: The Miriam Hospital USA:RI:Providence

 

Work Type: Part Time

 

Shift: Shift 1

 

Union: Non-Union