Description

Job Summary

Under varying levels of supervision, conducts, facilitates, develops and monitors activities and functions relating to clinical and environmental surveillance, investigation, analysis, interpretation, reporting, prevention and control of infections and communicable diseases. Participates in assessing, implementing, and maintaining a culture of safety across the continuum of care by performing a wide range of prevention and control functions. Supports the delivery of safe patient-centered, quality care and collaborates with various departments across the health care setting to facilitate improved outcomes and patient experience. Acts in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations and infection control standards.

Job Specific Duties

• Reviews patient charts and microbiology and virology reports for evidence of HAIs and applies National Health and Safety Network (NHSN) definitions to identify and report HAIs through the use of an electronic surveillance system. Documents appropriate information in patient electronic record. 
• Conducts ongoing infection control surveillance, prevention, and control program activities within a health care setting to identify early and/or suspected outbreaks of infections and communicable diseases, and to control and reduce the risk of exposure and avoid transmission by using epidemiologic principles. 
• Collects, tabulates, analyzes, and interprets infection data and records, and prepares and reviews reports; utilizes appropriate reporting programs; accurately reports "reportable diseases" to the appropriate public health departments and responds to public health department inquiries, as needed. 
• Participates in apparent cause analysis to identify modifiable risk factors and other infection prevention opportunities. 
• Follows-up on patients, personnel, and visitors who have communicable disease(s) and/or blood exposure within the health care system. 
• Assists with investigations of clusters of infections, outbreaks, unusual infections or exposures as these events arise and participates in epidemiologic studies, as needed. 
• Assists with reviewing construction plans and designs and with completion of Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRAs), as needed. 
• Serves as a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee. 
• Conducts environment of care rounding, identifying modifiable risks.  
• Consults with HCPs to answer infection prevention and control questions or concerns from staff, patients, and/or families. Advises staff on appropriate isolation practices and use of personal protective equipment. 
• Conducts mandatory education, as well as new employee orientation sessions, in-services and other educational sessions.  
• Assists with the review of infection prevention and control policies and procedures, and with risk assessments to identify gaps in infection prevention and control and areas of priority. 
• Maintains compliance with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels, facilitates compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, and stays current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards. Participates in DNV, Department of Health, and other regulatory readiness. 
• Performs related duties, as assigned, which may include periodic responsibility for responding to urgent infection prevention questions after hours or on weekends. 

Qualifications

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Epidemiology, Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Nursing, Public Health, Business or a related discipline
• RN Licensure within the State of Florida or Multi-State Enhanced Nursing License Compact (eNLC) - maintain active and in good standing throughout employment
• American Heart Association BLS - maintain active and in good standing
• Minimum of two (2) years of satisfactory clinical experience or experience working in infection prevention and control, health care epidemiology or a related field in a hospital or a health care setting

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Applies analytical thinking.
• Ability to identify, analyze and solve problems.
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with the interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to implement evidence-based guidelines.
• Expertise in data collection and analysis, report writing, and data presentation.
• Demonstrates a systematic approach in carrying out projects.
• Effectively handles conflicts constructively.
• Demonstrates informal leadership abilities.
• Good working knowledge of MS-Office and software technologies.
  

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