Infection Preventionist

Location Address:

Compensation Pay Range:

Summary:

Responsibilities:

• Understands how to systematically conduct surveillance of infections including HAIs and notifiable infections.
• Reviews and validates surveillance data and performs in-depth investigation of cases referred by the Surveillance Coordinator.
• Applies Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Health Safety Network HAI definitions and criteria to detect and track HAIs.
• Detects, investigates, summarizes findings, and assists with response to clusters or outbreaks in the healthcare setting.
• Conducts communicable disease outbreak investigations occurring in the hospitals and clinics; coordinates management with healthcare team, Employee Health, and public health authorities as appropriate.
• Conducts rounds on a regular basis within the hospital to review infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, identifies IPC gaps, provides feedback for staff and leaders on identified problems/compliance issues, and consults on IPC practice and solutions.
• Monitors, reports, and assists in the systems compliance with national, state, county, and local health department rule and regulations pertinent to healthcare IPC. Assures a safe environment for patients, visitors, members, and staff.
• Recommends and implements transmission-based isolation practices and IPC policies and procedures.
• Serves as a knowledgeable and available resource on IPC practices and policies throughout PCNM.
• Provides consultation and definition of exposure to employees who have been exposed to infectious diseases or agents. Consults with Employee Health and Infection Disease on post-exposure processes.
• Conducts Infection Prevention and Control Risk Assessments as determined by site-specific needs.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams throughout PHS to design and implement strategies/interventions to decrease the impact of nosocomial infections across the continuum of care, which includes consultation for construction, delivery systems, system services, the medical group and health plan.
• Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of appropriate IPC interventions.
• Ensures the completion of audits regarding the implementation of and compliance with IPC practices.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in health-related field. Masters degree preferred.
• 2 years of experience in acute health care required. Previous experience in acute care Infection Prevention and Control and/or quality improvement work preferred.
• Certificate in Infection Control (CIC) is within 3 years from hire preferred.
• Must have a valid drivers license, clean driving record, and able to travel locally.
• Must share 24-hour responsibility for availability to respond to infection prevention and control concerns through scheduled on-call activities.
• Computer software application skills such as Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Visio, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of epidemiological principles and infectious disease.
• Knowledge of current patient care practice.

All benefits-eligible Presbyterian employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, group term life insurance and other optional voluntary benefits.

Wellness
Presbyterian's Employee Wellness rewards program is designed to provide you with engaging opportunities to enhance your health and activate your well-being. Earn gift cards and more by taking an active role in our personal well-being by participating in wellness activities like wellness challenges, webinar, preventive screening and more.

Why work at Presbyterian?
As an organization, we are committed to improving the health of our communities. From hosting growers' markets to partnering with local communities, Presbyterian is taking active steps to improve the health of New Mexicans.

About Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Presbyterian exists to improve the health of patients, members, and the communities we serve. We are locally owned, not-for-profit healthcare system of nine hospitals, a statewide health plan and a growing multi-specialty medical group. Founded in New Mexico in 1908, we are the state's largest private employer with nearly 14,000 employees - including more than 1600 providers and nearly 4,700 nurses.

Our health plan serves more than 580,000 members statewide and offers Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Centennial Care) and Commercial health plans.

AA/EOE/VET/DISABLED. PHS is a drug-free and tobacco-free employer with smoke free campuses.