Infection Prevention & Patient Safety Specialist

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Job Summary : Job Profile Summary The Infection Prevention and Patient Safety (IPPS) Specialist is responsible for collaborating to promote, implement and sustain effective strategies outlined in the organization-wide Infection Prevention and Control Plan and the Patient Safety Plan. This role provides coverage for the Infection Preventionist during periods of absence. Job Description Essential Responsibilities Infection Prevention Responsibilities 1. The role requires flexibility in worked hours to support 24/7 resource coverage when the Infection Preventionist is out of the office. In such instances, this role must be available to respond to clinicians and senior leaders for timely input on treatment decisions and operational matters. 2. Assumes ownership for monitoring the organization-wide hand hygiene program and collaborates to recommend and implement corrective actions to improve compliance. 3. Implements and monitors assigned functions of the Infection Prevention and Control program throughout the organization 4. Conducts infection control surveillance of inpatients, outpatients, associates, volunteers and medical staff. 5. Ensures proper patient isolation per organization-wide protocols. 6. Performs review, analysis, and reporting of infection control statistical data to Quality Steering Committee and Safety/Infection Control Committee (if requested) quarterly. 7. Conducts assessment of the on-going effectiveness of infection prevention practices/processes throughout the organization. 8. Develops and implements corrective actions for issues identified through surveillance and evaluation of the effectiveness of actions taken to resolve issues. 9. Completes routine rounding of units and departments to assess effectiveness of infection prevention practices, including isolation practices, and environment of care rounds. 10. Performs validation of culture specimen needs with physicians and nursing staff. 11. Completes mandatory reporting of communicable diseases and associated lab findings to appropriate public health agencies per regulatory requirements. 12. Provides oversight for environmental culturing initiatives resulting from surveillance or outbreak occurrences. 13. Performs reviews of cleaning, disinfection and sterilization methods practiced throughout the organization. 14. Monitors infection control data used for comparative reporting purposes. 15. Collaborates in the coordination of the infection control program with the associate health program and serves as a collaborative resource and advisor. 16. Identifies associates, volunteers, students and physicians who have been potentially exposed to infectious agents and collaborates with Employee Health Nurse regarding necessary prophylaxis post exposure. 17. Contributes to the development of curriculums, education and training on HRH Infection Control Program, assuring compliance with regulatory and licensing agency requirements. 18. Determines the potential occupational exposure risk category for infectious tuberculosis and bloodborne pathogens per job/position for associates, students and volunteers. 19. Provides age specific educational material for patient education for various communicable diseases and infections/colonization. 20. Contributes to the development, reviews and revision of all organization-wide infection control policies/procedures at least biennially. 21. Contributes to the review and revision of the organization-wide TB Exposure, Prevention and Control Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, year specific Infection Control Plan and Infection Control Program at least annually. 22. Performs medical records review for data collection and reporting of Hospital Acquired Conditions to NHSN 23. Conducts IPC risk assessments and action plan development for risk mitigation, including Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) creation of construction zones to mitigate patient exposure to environmental pathogens Patient Safety Responsibilities 1. Implements and monitors designated functions of the Patient Safety program throughout the organization including patient safety rounds, risk assessments, audits and review of patient safety events. Education and Experience Required 1. Bachelor's degree in nursing, microbiology, or epidemiology 2. Experience in presentations and teaching required 3. Must be knowledgeable in infection control practices, and microbiology Certification & Licensure 1. A minimum of 2 years of infection control experience preferred 2. Infection Control certification from Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) is preferred, or must be obtained within 3 years of employment Work Shift : Scheduled Weekly Hours : 40