Infection Preventionist

Overview

CHI Memorial Hospital now part of CommonSpirit Health formed between Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health is once again the only hospital in the Chattanooga area to be named a Best Regional Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. We are proud to be the regional referral center of choice providing health care throughout Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. We offer the following benefits to support you and your family: On-site childcare with extended hours Care@Work premium account for additional support with children pets dependent adults and household needs Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family Paid Time Off (PTO) Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Flexible spending accounts Voluntary Protection: Group Accident Critical Illness and Identify Theft Adoption Assistance Tuition Assistance for career growth and development Matching 401(k) and 457(b) Retirement Programs Wellness Program Additional incentives for eligible full time day shift and night shift opportunities

Responsibilities

Collaborates with the department leader in all infection prevention related activities associated with surveillance performance improvement and education which are intended to ensure that the facility’s patients personnel and visitors will be protected from transmission of diseases and infection within the facility’s environment as identified in the core competency model by the Association for Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

ESSENTIAL KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for assisting the department to ensure compliance with Hospital Accreditation Standards State and CMS regulations and for the daily operations of the Infection Prevention Department. Identifies and implements updates to the Infection Prevention Program when new regulations and/or professional guidelines are published. Serves as the content expert in all infection prevention matters in support of clinical staff performance improvement teams and hospital committees.

Performs assessments from an infection prevention perspective and recommends appropriate action within scope of responsibility to ensure safe and quality patient care. Performs coordinates and directs the process of surveillance to identify healthcare acquired infections and other adverse outcomes to ensure safe patient care. Rounds in assigned inpatient units outpatient areas perioperative areas and ancillary departments regularly and on an as needed basis for evaluating compliance with infection prevention practices policies and regulatory agency requirements.

Assists the department leader with ongoing assessment and development of programs policies and procedures and forms to address the Infection Prevention needs of employees volunteers contract workers independent contractors physicians registry workers and students in accordance with the guidelines established by the regulatory agencies.

Oversees and monitors the clinical work of staff. Identifies competency and training needs. Coordinates and oversees training. Utilizes senior area staff to assist with training and provides clinical expertise.

Acquires and maintains current knowledge of infection prevention professional society guidelines best practices and regulatory requirements as demonstrated by attending infection prevention conferences and workshops reviewing current infection prevention literature guidelines and national standard and networking with Health System and external Infection Prevention Specialists.

*The job summary and responsibilities listed above are designed to indicate the general nature of the work performed within this job. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all job responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Certification in Infection Prevention and Control by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) to be obtained during the first two (2) years of hire.

Required Minimum Knowledge Skills Abilities and Training

• Demonstrates breadth and/or depth of professional/technical skills and capabilities required for the position; shares knowledge; sets or contributes to the Company’s direction within area of expertise.

• Knowledge of types methods tools and techniques used in infection prevention and control; ability to impede the spread of infection and disease. Able to lead RCAs for HAIs and implement action plans.

• Knowledge of federal state and local healthcare related laws and regulations; ability to comply with these in healthcare practices and activities

• Knowledge of current professional society guidelines. Able to perform literature reviews to support performance improvement and practice changes.

• Ability to assess a situation from an infection prevention perspective and recommends appropriate action within scope of responsibility to ensure safe and quality patient care.

• Ability to recognize develop and provide educational programs on infection prevention for all levels of personnel to improve their infection prevention knowledge base and practice.

• Knowledge of effective self-management practices and ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives projects groups or activities making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.

• Actively seeks professional growth demonstrates professionalism and exhibits a good working rapport in all interpersonal interactions with departmental staff healthcare personnel contract workers patients and visitors and community agencies.

Pay Range

$31.92 – $46.29 /hour

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.