Infection Preventionist

Job Description: The Infection Preventionist performs and coordinates basic activities to support the Infection Prevention program at their care site or surveillance team. This may include participating in survey readiness and response, CMS required reporting with validation, and providing guidance to care site administration related to Infection Prevention. This role is responsible for the local implementation of enterprise strategic initiatives for Infection Prevention and has the authority to implement necessary corrective and preventive actions to protect patients, employees, and visitors from the transmission of infectious disease. These include, but are not limited to: • Institution of appropriate isolation procedures • Ordering appropriate environmental controls to be instituted at construction sites or in response to utility failures/problems (power, plumbing, etc.) • Obtaining surveillance cultures on patients, employees, or environment • Restricting infectious or exposed personnel from returning to work during the potentially infectious period, in consultation with Employee Health • Closing or limiting admissions to a unit because of an infectious disease outbreak Essential Functions Identify and connect with stakeholders to build relationships to support Infection Prevention workflows. Assist in ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory guidelines and requirements including CMS, The Joint Commission, state, and local health departments. Advocate and support standardization of policies and procedures by evaluating compliance and educating care site. Use knowledge of infectious disease guidelines and regulatory requirements to support, plan, and meet expected standards. Educate and collaborate with Infection Prevention enterprise leaders to effectively participate in the design and implementation of the care site Infection Prevention program. Perform investigation of suspected infectious outbreaks and Institute appropriate corrective actions in collaboration with team. Support project management in multidisciplinary teams by providing Infection Prevention guidance as needed. Co-chair the facility Infection Prevention Committee and represent infection prevention on other facility-wide committees and to hospital and medical staff leadership. Facilitate/support the Infection Prevention program at their care site or surveillance team. Skills Leadership Continuous Improvement Process Organization, communication, and problem solving Teamwork Taking Initiative Basic computer programs and statistical analysis Ability to present information and data Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Nursing with current license, Public Health, Epidemiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, or other clinically relevant degree. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution. Degree will be verified. Demonstrated working experience in relevant clinical field. Physical Requirements Ability to be mobile and round within the care site. Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, documents, monitors, identify equipment and supplies, and be able to assess customer needs. Frequent interactions with providers, colleagues, customers, patients/clients and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, needs, and issues quickly and accurately. Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate supplies and equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use for typing, accessing needed information, etc. Location: St. Marys Regional Hospital Work City: Grand Junction Work State: Colorado Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 The hourly range for this position is listed below. Actual hourly rate dependent upon experience. $38.77 - $59.82 We care about your well-being – mind, body, and spirit – which is why we provide our caregivers a generous benefits package that covers a wide range of programs t ... (truncated, view full listing at source)