Possess considerable knowledge of principles and practices of infection prevention and surveillance and assume responsibility for the implementation and coordination of the hospital?s IC program.  This position requires effective oral and written communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.  Assists in the evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals.  Recommends improvement of guidelines and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency of department and services performed.  Ensures compliance with federal standards, state regulations, Joint Commission and hospital policies and procedures.

   Tasks

·         Apply epidemiologic principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target population, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies.

·         Conduct on-going surveillance using Center of Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria, documentation, and investigation of nosocomial infections through review of admission diagnoses, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, patient records, consultation requests, post-discharge surveillance, and autopsy findings.

·         Assess environmental control through surveillance of water supply systems as needed, air pressure relationships for high risk environmental monitoring.

·         Conduct environmental rounds in all inpatient and outpatient care areas. Collect data on the incidence of selected device use in identified intensive care units.

·         Participate in investigations of unusual hospital infection outbreaks utilizing the microbiology laboratory, consultation with Infectious Disease Division, county/state public health departments, and when necessary in consultation with the Center for Disease Control. Report epidemiologically significant findings to appropriate customers.

·         Evaluate the effectiveness of the surveillance plan and modifies as necessary.

·         Report all in-house patients with communicable disease to the county and/or state health department and maintain appropriate records. Compile and interpret surveillance reports to Infection Control committee, specialty areas, and executive medical committee on a regular basis.

·         Collect data in support of epidemiological studies of specific problems or problem areas to determine the source of the problem and make appropriate recommendations.

·         Participate in quality/performance improvement activities by assessing, monitoring, and measuring nosocomial infections and evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis.

·         Select indicators based on the projected use of the data.

·         Assist in the organization of regularly scheduled Infection Control meetings and dissemination of recommendations hospital-wide.

·         Plan, organize, develop and implement educational programs for all hospital employees including administrative and ancillary services which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase employee awareness of existence of nosocomial infections; techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for hospital employees and patients.

·         Develop appropriate informational materials at appropriate level of understanding and need.

·         Serve as a knowledgeable and available resource on infection control practices and policies to patients, families, staff, and health system employees.

·         Participate in continuing educational activities at the department, state, and national levels to promote personal growth and maintain a current knowledge base commensurate with latest research and scholarly knowledge.

·         Regulatory: Maintain compliance with national standards and regulating bodies such as JC, CDC, OSHA, FDA and CMS

·         Develop and update isolation techniques and procedures in accordance with current standards of practice, rules and regulations. Participate in maintaining policies and procedures which provide for a program of preventive medicine for hospital personnel to include establishment of policies and procedures relating to exposure to infectious diseases and prevention of cross-contamination. Recommend and evaluate procedures or policy statements relating to infection control within  Hospital; maintain an updated reference manual on infectious diseases and hospital infection control as recommended by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Hospitals. Maintain a knowledge base of current infection prevention and control information through peer networking. Internet access, published literature and professional meetings.

             Qualifications:

RN (licensed in OK)

Minimum 2 yrs. direct experience in hospital laboratory, nursing, public health, or epidemiology required

Infection control experience highly desirable.

Medical Technologist, degree in microbiology, public health or hospital epidemiology or related clinical health degree may be considered.

             Certification in Infection Control (APIC or CIC) desirable. 

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