Job Description

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

Career Opportunities within Kern Medical include many benefits such as:

• New Hire Premium +6% of base rate of pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to Deferred Compensation Plan.
• A Comprehensive Benefits Package includes Holidays, Paid Time Off, Retirement, Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance.

Position Infection Preventionist - Full Time

Compensation

The estimated pay for this position is $53.0345 to $71.2740 The rates shown include a 6% premium pay (base= $-$ plus 6%). This reflects only a portion of the total compensation package for this position. Additional compensation may be available for this role through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. In addition, this position may be eligible for participation and company contributions into the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

Essential Functions:

• Coordinates a hospital-wide program of infection control and participates in an infection control educational program for hospital personnel;
• Monitors precautions/isolation procedures used by hospital staff to reduce chances of infection;
• Collects, tabulates and analyzes data regarding healthcare-associated infections and reports findings to the Director of Infection Prevention and Employee Health, administration, the Infection Control Committee and the medical staff;
• Maintains close communications with hospital supervisors and physicians regarding infection control issues by attending regularly scheduled meetings and consulting on a case by case basis;
• Forecasts infectious disease problems and regulatory compliance by reviewing current literature and accrediting agency guidelines;
• Recommends and/or develops infection control policies and procedures in conformance with hospital industry standards;
• Helps interpret, implement and ensure compliance with policies and standards once developed;
• Serves on the Hospital Infection Control committee, New Products Committee and other committees as assigned;
• Participates in the orientation and training of hospital personnel on such topics as infection prevention procedures, personal hygiene techniques and the required reporting of communicable diseases;
• Complies with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements and accreditation standards at the local, state, and federal levels;
• Acts as technical advisor to staff on infection prevention issues;
• Makes recommendations for budgetary expenditures to enhance the infection control program;
• Assists in investigating suspected outbreaks of communicable diseases among patients or employees;
• Under the direction of the Director of Infection Prevention and Employee Health, provides direction and guidance to department clerical staff as needed.
• Participates in professional organizations to keep abreast of new development in the field;
• Acts as consultant and collaborator with representatives of community health agencies and institutions to provide infection control and prevention;
• Maintains daily surveillance of patient units and laboratory data;
• Maintains infection control statistics;
• Collaborates with the Employee Health Services Coordinator to assess risk of occupational exposures to infectious diseases and apply work restriction recommendations related to communicable diseases or following an exposure;
• May assume specific limited duties, within the scope of practice, of the Employee Health Services Coordinator as necessary;

Other Functions:

• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Employment Standards:

Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Technology and two (2) years of full-time experience or its equivalent in an acute care hospital or public health agency. Qualifying experience must have been gained with the five (5) years immediately preceding employment.

Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology (i.e. CIC preferred) or, attainment within 3 years after employment.

Appointees not possessing the American Heart Association Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire must successfully complete appropriate training and qualify for the RQI Provider certification within 60 days of employment. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.

License – If degree is in Nursing, then possession of a valid license as a Registered Nurse in the State of California is required.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of modern infection control principles and techniques;
• Knowledge of medical terminology, hospital routine and commonly used equipment;
• Knowledge of hospital organization and the interrelationships of various clinical and diagnostic services;
• Knowledge of medical staff organization including the roles and responsibilities of physician committees;
• Knowledge of fundamental statistics;
• Knowledge of common communicable disease transmission in a hospital setting;
• Knowledge of healthcare-associated infections and the methods for controlling them;
• Knowledge of the principles of epidemiological research and data gathering methods;
• Considers the financial/safety implications and clinical outcomes when making recommendations, evaluating technology and products, and developing policies and procedures;
• Ability to gather and analyze data and prepare reports based thereon;
• Ability to teach modern infection control measures, specific to audience;
• Ability to promote acceptance of infection control measures in a tactful manner that promotes cooperation;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of disciplines and knowledge levels;
• Ability to evaluate (critically) research and evidence-based practices and incorporate appropriate findings into routine practice;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with physicians, nurses and other health care professionals.

Supplemental:

A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”. In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver’s license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.