Infection Preventionist, Downtown Campus

Job Requirements

Under general supervision, conducts nosocomial infection surveillance, analyzes data for trends, participates in outbreak investigations, provides related education to staff and maintains relevant policies.

Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Reviews culture and sensitivity reports on in-patients with possible infections to set priorities for surveillance activities in patient care areas and define nosocomial infections in accordance with CDC published definitions.
• Maintains records of nosocomial infections and prepares various monthly, quarterly and annual infection reports in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Investigates patient/employee exposures to communicable diseases and participates in outbreak investigations, making recommendations to control such outbreaks and notifies appropriate City and State Health Officials in accordance with departmental procedures and state regulations.
• Provides infection control education to nursing, medical staff and various allied health staff to communicate departmental and hospital-wide policies and procedures.

Work Experience

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited School of Nursing, Medical Technology, or a related field or equivalent is required.
• Current licensure in the State of Maryland as a Registered Nurse or certification as a Registered Medical Technologist is required unless certification in infection prevention is currently held with equivalent educational background requirements. Certification from the Association for Practitioners in Infection Control (APIC) as an Infection Control Practitioner is required, or must be obtained within two (2) years of hire.
• Two and one-half years clinical experience as an RN or microbiology experience as a Medical Technologist or certified in infection prevention with equivalent experience is required. Infection control experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of computer applications as it applies to database management such as, Dbase or other database management software, and knowledge of the operation of a personal computer system is required. Knowledge of statistics, research design, adult and pediatric infectious diseases, nosocomial infections surveillance, interpretation of microbiology lab data is required.
• Ability to deliver various educational programs to hospital personnel regarding infection control precautions/procedures.
• Ability to respond, investigate, identify and problem-solve infection control issues requiring immediate and decisive action.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills are required to interact with patients and clinical staff regarding infection control procedures and precautions.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient population(s) served. Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of the patient's requirements relative to his or her population-specific and age-specific needs.

Patient Safety

Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.

• Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
• Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
• Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.