AHD Infection Preventionist - PB (Alameda)

Summary

JOB SUMMARY

The Infection Preventionist (IP) in conjunction with the Infection Control Committee develops, coordinates, implements, maintains, and oversees the hospital wide infection control program to prevent and / or control infection among patients and employees and to comply with requirements of The Joint Commission (TJC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the California Department of Public Health. Collaborates with Nursing, physicians and all ancillary departments of the medical center. Performs related duties as required.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

NOTE : The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

• ATTENDS ALL REQUIRED SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMS AND CANDESCRIBE HIS OR HER RESPONSIBILITIES : Attends all required safety education programs. Provides complete and accurate responses to safety questions. Operates assigned equipment and performs all procedures in a safe manner as instructed. Maintains work area and equipment in condition required by department standards. Demonstrates proper body mechanics in all functions.
• COLLECTS AND REPORTS DATA TO NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SAFETY NETWORK (NHSN) : Maintains a current digital certificate and completed NHSN training for Hospital Acquired Infection surveillance and data input. Reports data accurately to NHSN. Presents at monthly Quality Assurance / performance Improvement meetings.
• COMMUNICATES WITH LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, HOME HEALTH AGENCIES, EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES, PHYSICIAN OFFICES, AND OTHER AGENCIES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INFECTION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY : Reports communicable disease information on a timely manner. Assists in an outbreak (communicable disease) investigation.
• COUNSELS AND PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND RESOURCE DATA TO SUPERVISORS, DEPARTMENT MANAGERS, MEDICAL STAFF, PATIENT, AND / OR FAMILY MEMBERS REGARDING INFECTION CONTROL ISSUES : Utilizes appropriate resources within the infection control department to provide current update information to patient, students, and medical and nursing staff when requested. Provides information to patient and family members when asked for counseling. Supports policies and procedures with concurrent information and shares this with all departments as needed.
• DEMONSTRATES RESPECT AND REGARD FOR THE DIGNITY OF ALL PATIENTS, FAMILIES, VISITORS, AND FELLOW EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE A PROFESSIONAL, RESPONSIBLE, AND COURTEOUS ENVIRONMENT : Fosters a professional working environment by assuming a leadership role (not supervisory) for all staff. Functions as a role model to the medical center. Interacts with all of the above in a considerate, helpful, and courteous manner as observed by manager and peers. Fosters mature professional relationships with fellow employees in a courteous, friendly manner as measured by management observation and peer input. Maintains professional composure and confidence during stressful situations. Maintains open communication using appropriate chain of command regarding issues. Conducts all work activities with respect for rights and wishes of patients, visitors, families, and fellow employees. Maintains confidentiality of all hospital and patient information at all times as observed by peers and management. Presents a neat and professional appearance in proper attire with identification badge visible at all times as required by department, and administrative policy. Continuously displays a can do attitude within the department and across departmental lines to contribute to the overall customer service and satisfaction program.
• DEMONSTRATES THE BEHAVIORS AND ACTIONS THAT WILL FULFILL ALAMEDA HEALTH SYSTEM'S VISION : Demonstrate excellence in clinical quality and service. Become the preferred health care employer in Alameda County. Develop clinical programs that advance the health of Alameda County residents. Foster a culture of innovative, efficient, and customer-oriented care. Develop partnerships to provide a continuum of services responsive to the community. Provide compassionate and culturally sensitive care. Support graduate medical education and other teaching programs appropriate to our scope of services. Provide contemporary facilities and technology that support high quality health care.
• DEVELOPS RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE STUDIES TO DETERMINE AREAS WHERE THE INFECTION RATE COULD BE LOWERED : Monitors specific established criteria to determine procedure compliance as needed, or requested.
• DEVELOPS, REVIEWS, AND REVISES INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES AT LEAST EVERY THREE YEARS. PRESENTS IN-SERVICE PROGRAMS RELATINGTO INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL FOR NURSING AND ANCILLARY DEPARTMENTS : Provides infection control general orientation, nursing orientation held monthly and new resident orientation held annually. Provides in-service education as required and / or requested by an individual or a department.
• FOLLOWS THE HOSPITAL EXPOSURE CONTROL PLANS / BLOODBORNE AND AIRBORNE PATHOGENS : Demonstrates knowledge of techniques, procedures, and correct use of protective barrier equipment. Expects the same of other team members. Ensures a safe environment by instituting appropriate control measures.
• IDENTIFIES THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF CARE BY FOCUSING, MONITORING AND EVALUATING HIGH-RISK VOLUME AND PROBLEM-PRONE AREAS AND / OR ACTIVITIES : Monitors areas of high-risk, critical care units / special care nursery, as needed. Monitors areas of high-risk / volume; i.e., peripheral and central IV catheters when indicated. Evaluates and identifies problem-prone areas in order to maintain a high quality of care. Evaluates and identifies activities that may impact quality of care. Monitors knowledge and aspects of care related to standard and transmission-based precautions (bloodborne / airborne).
• MONITORS ALL POSITIVE MICROBIOLOGY AND SEROLOGY REPORTS FOR POSSIBLE INFECTION IN PATIENTS AND EMPLOYEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE INFECTION CONTROL COMMITTEE : Reviews computer reports and notes all positive culture reports daily. Compiles culture reports for chart review. Reports resistant organisms to patient care areas when private room is needed. Identifies potential risk for exposure to an employee or another patient. Receives information via telephone from the lab and institutes immediate action / reporting in order to provide appropriate infection control measures.
• MONITORS AND OVERSEES PATIENT ADMISSIONS FOR INCOMING INFORMATION : Reviews computer census report to identify patients with community acquired disease daily. Identifies patients with a communicable disease and prevents exposure to others as needed. Communicates information and insures proper infection control measures are in place when indicated.
• MONITORS AND OVERSEES PLACEMENT OF INFECTED PATIENTS FOR PREVENTION AND / OR CONTROL OF INFECTION : Observes, as needed, the proper placement of pre / post op patients to prevent exposure to another patient with a draining wound. Monitors multi-resistant pathogens, and others, as required. Monitors patients with respiratory infection (i.e.), TB, as needed.
• MONITORS ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS AND COMPLIANCE OF PRECAUTION PROCEDURES : Meets with harm reduction teams on a regular basis and participates in the Environment of Care Rounds. Inspections are conducted upon request or to investigate a potential problem. Communicates with Environmental Services department as needed.

MONITORS FOR POTENTIAL CLUSTERS OR O