Infection Preventionist

Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.
Infection Preventionist
US-OR-Portland
Job ID: 2024-31321
Type: Regular Part-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Professional
Portland, OR (Marquam Hill)
Overview

Leadership

• Identifies, recommends and leads infection prevention and control (IPC)
  improvement opportunities in assigned areas through surveillance, research,
  and statistical analysis of internal and external data sources.
• Acts as a liaison to assigned area(s) to promote evidence-based, patient-centered IPC practices.
• Recommends evidence-based infection prevention measures and assists with
  their implementation.
• Leads the analysis and evaluation of IPC processes and surveillance through membership in Best Practice Groups, Quality Councils, and other assigned
  committees.
• Promotes and models collaborative working relationships with all members of
  the heathcare team.
• Provides effective influence in the development and attainment of IPC
  department and organizational goals through interdepartmental collaboration.
• Leads activities that support regulatory requirements or organizational goals.
• Takes an active role in compliance readiness and preparation for regulatory
  agency surveys.
• Serves as the IPC liaison in assigned regional and national benchmarking
  studies and infection prevention initiatives, including the Vizient, IHI, APIC,
  and the CDC, and facilitates improvement opportunities from the project
  learnings.
• Participates regularly in clinical and safety rounds.

Consultation

• Provides project management and IPC expertise to teams, medical services,
  managers, and departments.
• Designs appropriate surveillance studies including methodology, data
  collection indicators, analysis, and reporting processes to use for identified
  infection prevention and control PI projects.
• Assists individuals/groups to interpret internal/external infection control data
  and to develop appropriate follow up action plans.
• Reviews current research and related literature to identify evidence-based best
  practices in infection prevention and control.
• Provides perspective on the Infection Control Plan and initiatives, and the
  application of surveillance, and epidemiological tools and techniques.
• Serves as a member of assigned committees, task forces and special projects
  to provide expert infection prevention and control consultation.
• Provides expert consultation to OHSU and community customers on all areas
  of infection prevention and control and exposure prevention, investigation,
  and management.
• Acts as a liaison with county/state health department officials in the
  management of patients with communicable diseases.

Facilitation

• Initiates and manages infection prevention and control-related projects.
• Facilitates the development of unit-specific and organizational action plans to
  address surveillance and investigation findings.
• Responsible for timeframes for accomplishment, reporting, reviewing
  achievements, facilitating additional actions as needed, and working with
  departments/programs to “hold the gains” from infection prevention and
  control performance improvement activities.

Education

• Assesses educational needs of healthcare workers pertaining to infection
  prevention and control, developing and providing targeted educational
  programs and materials to assigned areas utilizing principles of adult
  education.
• Disseminate infection control findings and recommendations to appropriate
  individuals, committees, departments, and units.
• Conducts regular unit rounds in assigned areas to assess practices, educate,
  and interact with healthcare providers.
• Collaborates with University mission to teach infection prevention and control
  to healthcare students. Mentors healthcare students interested in healthcare
  epidemiology or infection prevention and control.
• Identifies specific needs for self development and implements plan to achieve
  professional growth and stay current in the concepts and processes of
  infection prevention and control.
• Attends and participates in professional meetings and committees; stays
  abreast of new trends and innovations.

Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation

• Conducts routine and investigative surveillance activities, chart reviews and
  data abstraction utilizing epidemiological and microbiological methodologies
  and principles. Assures data reliability and validity or accurately identifies
  limitations associated with the study methodology. Interprets and analyzes
  data in collaboration with Data Analysts, Medical Directors and other
  members of the Department of Infection Prevention and Control, comparing
  results with published data or other benchmarks.
• Performs intensive monitoring of isssues in assigned areas; tracking, trending
  and follow up. Works intra and interdepartmentally to investigate infection
  prevention and control issues and to document findings. Reports activities to
  appropriate oversight committees, governing bodies, and to the appropriate
  organizational leaders.
• Performs exposure and outbreak investigations and designs appropriate
  containment interventions working collaboratively with Employee Health,
  hospital, clinic, and medical staff departments and programs communicating
  the status of actions and outcomes.
• Develops and presents complex, comprehensive reports and presentations for
  teams, committees, councils, department medical and surgical chairs, and the
  Pro Board.

Prevent Infection Transmission

• Recognizes, investigates and assists with controlling outbreaks or clusters of
  infection; prepares summary reports of findings, conclusions, and
  recommendations.
• Reviews and investigates infection control asociated incident reports and
  infection control clinical risk related patient concerns. Works collaboratively
  with the Patient Safety Manager in critical incident reviews.
• Intervenes directly as needed to interrupt the transmission of infections and
  infectious diseases.
• Evaluates environmental issues for infection control risks to patients and staff,
  and provides recommendations for remediation and improvement.
• Develops, reviews, and revises policies related to infection prevention,
  utilizing current evidence-based guidance.

Research

• Conducts literature searches relative to specific infection control problems,
  products, or rates of infection, applying critical reading skills to evaluate
  research.
• Incorporates research findings into practice and policies.
• Disseminates relevant published research finding through practice, education,
  and consultation.
• Participates in research activities as interest and time permits

Responsibilities

• Baccalaureate degree in nursing, public health, epidemiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology or related field
• At least two years experience as an Infection Preventionist in an acute care setting or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control practices and processes.
• Knowledge of patient care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection, sterilization, infectious diseases, and epidemiology.
• Ability to work as a team member and interact with broad spectrum of healthcare personnel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer and data entry skills, especially in using Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Skilled in organizational behavior and group dynamics.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) required within three years of hire.

• Compliance with Code of Conduct, Respect in the workplace and Applicable policies, procedures and agreements related to position, department or OHSU as a whole

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

Qualifications

• Masters degree in healthcare - related field (e.g. MPH, MSN)
• Board certification in Infection Prevention (CIC); board certification in their professional field, eg, MT(ASCP)SM; Healthcare Professional with two years acute care-related experience (e.g. BSN Registered Nurse, Medical Technologist, etc.)
• Knowledge of Epic.
• Experience with the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) (e.g. entering cases, running reports)
• Experience working with Project Management and Performance Improvement.
• Leadership training and/or experience.
• Data analysis skills and experience.
• If RN, current Oregon Nursing Licensure or able to obtain within 90 days of acceptance.

PI249330490