Infection Preventionist I

General Summary

Performs infection prevention and control activities including surveillance, data collection, analysis and implementation of infection prevention interventions for the System. Serves as a resource to patients, families, Department of Health, and system healthcare providers. Implements and sustains infection prevention strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Maintains competence in area of expertise.
• Collaborates with other professionals to improve patient care/safety based on evidence-based infection prevention and control practices.
• Performs surveillance for healthcare associated infections.
• Compiles and analyzes data on healthcare associated infections and disseminates the data to improve patient safety across the continuum of care.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement in patient or healthcare worker safety based on surveillance activities.
• Acts as a resource and role model.
• Evaluates practices/products for efficacy and seeks to control costs by eliminating practices which are proven to be ineffective.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates education programs for staff and students, and educational resources for patients and families.
• Manages infection prevention related projects as appropriate.
• Contributes new knowledge related to infection prevention by initiating and/or participating in research as appropriate.
• Utilizes epidemiological principles to conduct investigations.
• Prepares and maintains written documentation as required by the profession and the department.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Common Expectations

• Reports data to regulatory agencies as required.
• Develops, reviews and revises infection prevention and control policies using evidence-based models and advocates for continuous improvement that will lead to increased safety and participates in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
• Makes decisions with a focus on emotional intelligence, listening skills and learning skills.
• Demonstrates knowledge of risk assessment concepts and uses its structure to participate in projects guiding risk reduction strategies related to Infection Prevention and Control.
• Ensures professional competency with routine surveillance activities and outbreak investigations.
• Ensures process design of establish procedures and internal workflows are utilized consistently.
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Enhances professional growth and development through advanced/continuing education to maintain up-to-date knowledge, skills, and competencies.

Required for All Jobs

• Performs other related duties as identified.
• WellSpan Health has adopted and implemented a compliance program to support WellSpan's values and standards for professionalism, integrity, and ethics. Expected to support and meet the values and standards of the organization and the performance expectations of the job, the department, and the compliance program.
• WellSpan Health has adopted and implemented a privacy program to safeguard the patient information and the business and operational information of the organization. Expected to support and meet the values and standards of the organization to safeguard patient and business/operational information.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Qualifications

Minimum Education

• Bachelors Degree Healthcare related field (e.g. nursing, public health, epidemiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology or related field). Required

Work Experience

• 1 year Experience in nursing or other healthcare related field. Required

Licenses

• Certified in Infection Prevention and Control within 4 years Preferred and
• Licensed Registered Nurse Upon Hire Preferred

Benefits Offered

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Education assistance
• Financial education and support, including DailyPay
• Expanded Paid Parental Leave

For additional details: Benefits & Incentives | WellSpan Careers (joinwellspan.org)