Infection Preventionist

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Location: Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital
701 S Fry Road, Katy TX, 77450

Job Ref:: JR-2374
Time Type:: Full Time
Job Shift:: Day
Job Type:: Full Time

At Houston Methodist, the Infection Preventionist position is responsible for implementing and maintaining the multiple facets of the Infection Control Program. This position is a liaison between all departments and the Infection Control Committee. The Infection Preventionist position maintains a routine surveillance program of patients, personnel, and the environmental problems that present a real or potential threat to the welfare of patients, visitors, or personnel throughout the institution. This position serves as member of the Infection Control Committee and promotes compliance with accreditation, certification and regulatory requirement.

FLSA STATUS
Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Must possess one of the following: ◦ Bachelor and/or Master's degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, Microbiology, or Public Health ◦ Bachelor's degree in another related field with previous infection control experience and CIC certification

EXPERIENCE

Two years of experience in an acute care or public health setting
Previous experience in infection control or public health preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

CIC - Certified in Infection Control (CBIC) - Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology Inc._PSV and
If Bachelor degree in Nursing, must have: •RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure. Compact Licensure – Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency) If Bachelor degree in Medical Technology, must have one of the following: •MT - Medical Technologist (ASCP) •MLS(ASCP) - Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP) If Bachelor degree in Microbiology, specialization in clinical microbiology and registry, must have: •M(ASCP) - Technologist in Microbiology (ASCP)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
Competent in Infection Control Practices including Isolation Precautions, hospital surveillance and construction projects
Maintains current knowledge regarding all laws, regulatory and accreditation standards
Proficient with computer programs to complete job duties independently
Demonstrates the ability to work independently with little or no direct supervision

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Coordinates with others for the investigation, identification, and, as deemed appropriate, follow-up of contacts who are suspected or confirmed to have been exposed to relevant communicable diseases at Houston Methodist. (This activity shall include the notification of and follow through with the Employee Health Nurse when such contacts have involved Hospital personnel.)

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Uses national recognized definitions and best practice guidelines to maintain a practical surveillance program which incorporates the systematic and current review of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), significant communicable diseases, and environmental events with potential impact to patient, visitor and healthcare provider safety.
Exercises sound clinical judgment, discretion and initiative when performing medical record audits. Communicates identified quality or risk issues through departmental and hospital chain-of-command.
Presents instructional material for orientations and continuing education relevant to infection prevention and control throughout the hospital.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Routinely conducts infection prevention process surveillance to identify potential process deficiencies which may impact patient safety and lead to HAIs.
Recognizes and investigates clusters of infections, communicates the investigation results through appropriate channels, and facilitates the implementation of interventions to prevent future infections. Supports facility construction planning and collaborates with construction through Infection Control Risk Assessment activities. Escalates safety and infection control issues in a timely fashion.
Contributes to the evaluation (at least annually) and documents the effectiveness of the Infection Control Program Plan. Facilitates (at least annually) the revision of the Infection Control Program Plan to include new goals and measures as deemed appropriate based on a concurrent risk assessment. Develops and revises policies and procedures to meet current practice standards.
Communicates all pertinent information at timely intervals to the Director of Quality & Outcomes and Medical Director of Infection Control, as appropriate. Responsible for reporting mandatory Infections data to the national databases, local health authorities, and other regulatory organizations, as necessary. Maintains patient and physician confidentiality. Participates in hospital survey preparation and onsite survey activity.
Data mines information and produces statistics and reports in a meaningful way for decision making in support of continued infection prevention.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Collaborates with other departments to monitor use of resources related to infection prevention. Participates in cost reduction efforts by making recommendations to mitigate risk of infection. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Facilitates and coordinates efforts aimed at implementing new standards as required by regulatory and accrediting agencies; including implementation of new or improved policies and procedures related to infection prevention.
Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development in infection prevention.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

Uniform: No
Scrubs: No
Business professional: Yes
Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**

**Travel specifications may vary by department**

May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Must possess one of the following: ◦ Bachelor and/or Master's degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, Microbiology, or Public Health ◦ Bachelor's degree in another related field with previous infection control experience and CIC certification

EXPERIENCE

Two years of experience in an acute care or public health setting
Previous experience in infection control or public health preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

CIC - Certified in Infection Control (CBIC) - Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology Inc._PSV and
If Bachelor degree in Nursing, must have: • RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure. Compact Licensure – Must obtain permanent Texas license within 60 days (if establishing Texas residency) If Bachelor degree in Medical Technology, must have one of the following: • MT - Medical Technologist (ASCP) • MLS(ASCP) - Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP) If Bachelor degree in Microbiology, specialization in clinical microbiology and registry, must have: • M(ASCP) - Technologist in Microbiology (ASCP)

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital is a long-term acute care hospital that proudly serves the Greater Houston area, focused on the needs of patients requiring extended hospitalization. Located in Katy, west of the Texas Medical Center, Houston Methodist Continuing Care is committed to providing patients with the Houston Methodist standard of unparalleled quality and safety, focusing on the patient and family. The facility offers both inpatient and outpatient services, including hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, infectious disease management, intensive care, pain management, postsurgical complication management, pulmonary care management, trauma and neurological injury management, and outpatient rehabilitation therapies.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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