Infection Preventionist

Collaborates with the department leader in all infection prevention related activities associated with surveillance, performance improvement, and education which are intended to ensure that the facility’s patients, personnel, and visitors will be protected from transmission of diseases and infection within the facility’s environment as identified in the core competency model by the Association for Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

ESSENTIAL KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for assisting the department to ensure compliance with Hospital Accreditation Standards, State and CMS regulations, and for the daily operations of the Infection Prevention Department. Identifies and implements updates to the Infection Prevention Program when new regulations and/or professional guidelines are published. Serves as the content expert in all infection prevention matters in support of clinical staff, performance improvement teams and hospital committees.
• Performs assessments from an infection prevention perspective and recommends appropriate action within scope of responsibility to ensure safe and quality patient care. Performs, coordinates and directs the process of surveillance to identify healthcare acquired infections and other adverse outcomes to ensure safe patient care. Rounds in assigned inpatient units, outpatient areas, perioperative areas, and ancillary departments regularly and on an as needed basis for evaluating compliance with infection prevention practices, policies and regulatory agency requirements.
• Assists the department leader with ongoing assessment and development of programs, policies and procedures, and forms to address the Infection Prevention needs of employees, volunteers, contract workers, independent contractors, physicians, registry workers, and students in accordance with the guidelines established by the regulatory agencies.
• Oversees and monitors the clinical work of staff. Identifies competency and training needs. Coordinates and oversees training. Utilizes senior area staff to assist with training and provides clinical expertise.
• Acquires and maintains current knowledge of infection prevention professional society guidelines, best practices and regulatory requirements as demonstrated by attending infection prevention conferences and workshops, reviewing current infection prevention literature, guidelines and national standard and networking with Health System and external Infection Prevention Specialists.

*Reporting Structure may differ in Critical Access Hospitals

Disclosure summary
The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree with a focus on epidemiology OR
• Associate degree in a healthcare-related field with three (3) years of healthcare-related experience.

Required Licensure and Certifications

• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) to be obtained during the first two (2) years of hire.

St. Luke's Health–The Vintage Hospital provides high-quality, compassionate care for residents of the Willowbrook, Champions, and Tomball areas of Northwest Houston. With the resources of the St. Luke’s Health system, we are able to deliver the most advanced care available to our Northwest Houston community. The Vintage Hospital offers the latest in diagnostic and surgical expertise, including heart care, women’s health, and orthopedics.