Job Description

Schedule: M-F 0700-1530 - 40hrs

At Children’s, the region’s only full-service pediatric healthcare center, our people make us the very best for kids. Come cultivate your passion, purpose and professional development in an environment of excellence and inclusion, where team members are supported and deeply valued. Opportunities for career growth abound as we grow our services and spaces, including the cutting-edge Hubbard Center for Children. Join our highly engaged, caring team—and join us in providing brighter, healthier tomorrows for the children we serve.

Children's is committed to diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer including veterans and people with disabilities.

A Brief Overview

Responsible for a comprehensive infection prevention program throughout the enterprise with 24 hour accountability. Promotes excellence in quality and patient safety by preventing healthcare associated infections (HAIs) through surveillance, investigations and taking action to reduce the transmission disease. Maintains an effective infection prevention plan and conducts an annual risk assessment to determine infection prevention priorities utilizing the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) competency model as a guideline.

Essential Functions

• Surveillance and epidemiologic investigation:
• Design surveillance systems
• Collect, analyze and disseminate surveillance data
• Facilitate outbreak investigations in collaboration with the hospital epidemiologist
• Prevention and action to control the transmission of infectious agents:
• Develop and review infection prevention control policies, procedures, and new guidelines based on current literature, regulatory agencies, and data generated through surveillance
• Provide recommendations on products and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization to minimize the transmission of infectious diseases
• Collaborate with public health agencies in planning community responses to biologic agents
• Identify and implement infection prevention and control strategies according to specific topics: hand hygiene; cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization; specific direct and indirect care settings; therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and devices; product/equipment recall procedures; use of isolation/barrier precautions when indicated; patient placement, transfer, discharge; environmental hazards; use of patient care products and medical equipment; patient immunization programs; construction and renovation; and influx of patients with communicable diseases
• Conduct annual risk assessments and develop and maintain an effective infection prevention plan in accordance with regulatory guidelines e.g. Tuberculosis, MDRO, Blood and Body Fluid, and others as appropriate
• Collaborate with antimicrobial stewardship program
• Examine data and analyze situations to identify potential infection prevention risks and seek resolution
• Provide timely reports regarding investigations to the department manager, epidemiologist, infection control committee, and others as appropriate
• Project management and performance improvement
• Oversee the automated hand hygiene program throughout the organization through policy and product review
• Liaison between the organization and vendor for automated hand hygiene system
• Provide technical support for the automated hand hygiene system for hospital employees and the medical staff
• Facilitate workgroups, collect and analyze infection data for NDNQI, CHA, and SPS which includes CLABSI, CAUTI, VAPs, VAE, MRSA bacteremia, C-Diff, VRE, and SSIs
• Facilitate and lead project meetings as necessary
• Influence others and move towards a common goal
• Collect, analyze, and display data outcomes
• Works collaboratively with patient care services, ancillary departments, the medical staff, and multidisciplinary groups to identify opportunities for improvement in patient safety
• Serves as subject matter expert to organizational groups to reduce HAIs.
• Facilitate the Infection Control Committee in cooperation with the hospital epidemiologist
• Education
• Serve as an epidemiology resource and educator for employees, medical staff, residents, students, volunteers, patients and the community by developing and providing orientation and ongoing infection prevention information/programs
• Employee Health:
• In collaboration with Employee Health Department and hospital epidemiologist assist in resolving issues related to employee infectious disease and their exposure to infections
• Collaborates with Employee Health in written protocols for disease specific employee issues and current disease specific exposure guidelines for hospital health care workers
• Works with Employee Health Department to identify and resolve employee related to infection prevention issues and recommending process improvements as appropriate
• Responds to all Employee Health Dept. after hour needs e.g. blood borne pathogen exposure

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing form an accredited college or university Required

Experience Qualifications

• 3 years experience in nursing required (preferably in a hospital setting) Required

Skills and Abilities

• Strong clinical knowledge and background
• Advanced knowledge base in current infection prevention practices
• Ability to work independently, organize work and set priorities
• Ability to apply appropriate criteria for identifying hospital acquired infections
• Proficient in capturing and analyzing data and preparing reports
• Advanced knowledge of performance improvement principles
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer programing skills including word processing, graphics, spreadsheets and basic presentations
• Skills in negotiation, problem solving, educational, and quality improvement strategies
• Ability to handle unexpected situations calmly and in a professional manner
• Ability to be accountable to 24 hour call schedule
• Strong meeting facilitation skills

Licenses and Certifications

• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure Required and
• CIC - Certified in Infection Control with in 4 years of hire Required and
• Health ServicesBCLS - Basic Life Support through the American Heart Association Required
• Work after hours and on weekends as needed is an expectation of the job. Required

Children’s is the very best for kids and the very best for your career! At Children’s, we put YOU first so together, we can improve the life of every child!