Specialist-Infection Prevention

JOB SUMMARY
The Specialist - Infection Prevention at North Mississippi Health Services is responsible for planning, implementing, and maintaining infection prevention operations, data analysis, and providing consultation and education on infection prevention issues. The specialist will work with various departments and professionals to improve infection prevention practices, compliance with regulatory standards, and reduce healthcare-associated infections.
JOB FUNCTIONS
Plans:
• Collects, reviews, formulates, manages and executes plans for surveillance and infection control (IC) performance improvement activities based on surveillance data.
• Plans, implements, promote, and help maintain infection prevention operations; and ensure consistent practices are applied and executed for NMMC and NMMCI facilities.
• Achieves plans and goals by collaborating and sharing with the IC committee and staff.
• Operates independently as a The Joint Commission (TJC) team member for IC.
• Develops and reviews the infection prevention plans and program for NMMC and NMMCI and leads staff in improving infection prevention throughout the system.
• Develops and maintains, and in collaboration with leadership, oversees the implementation and execution of infection prevention and control policies, procedures, in order to create system consistency and to limit or eliminate practice variances.

Data Analysis:
• Collects and reviews clinical data to determine epidemiological significance of health- related infections. Clinical analysis is done in collaboration with the Medical Director of IC, IC Director, and Performance Focused Improvement Department team members in preparing IC reports for the infection control committee and disseminates reports to appropriate areas.
• Supplies IC Director with data to prepare reports for the IC Committee and disseminates reports to appropriate areas. Reports all required reportable diseases to the State Board of Health from appropriate areas.
• Ensures all system wide reporting of state and federal regulatory and accrediting agency requirements.
• Coordinates with other all NMHS areas such as Employee Health, Safety, Long Term Care Facilities, etc. and other external agencies as needed.
• Collaborates with Employee Health regarding employee issues related to IC.
• In collaboration with the IC director and the IC Medical Director gives direction in the emergency planning for infection prevention and control.
• Ensures infection prevention goals are strategically aligned with the Corporate Critical Success Factors.

Consultative:
• Functions as a consultant with NMMC administrators, physicians, department managers, NMMC staff State Department of Health, Employee Health, Long Term Care Facilities, Family Medical Clinics, and the community hospital IC Nurses.
• Works with departments, to prevent Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) and to comply with all regulatory and accrediting agency standards.
• Serves as leader and consultant to all community hospital infection prevention programs and other NMHS areas upon request.
• Collaborates with the Medical Director of IC and the IC Committee for infection prevention oversight in designated areas.
• Formulates surveillance plans and infection control PI activities based on appropriate data.
• Leads and mentors others on identifying infection risks to patients and visitors throughout the hospital and system.
• Provides consultation advice on infection prevention program, practice, policy, and educational issues; assures IC training is provided according to policy and TJC requirements.

Regulatory Knowledge:
• In appropriate areas: provides education on issues and standards of IC and from the accrediting and state/federal regulatory agencies.
• Monitors compliance with TJC, OSHA and CDC guidelines.
• Also serves as an active member, educator and resource to numerous committees including, but not limited to, the IC Committee, Nursing Policy and Procedure, and Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee when needed. Education.
• Plans and provides education to patients and their family members/visitors who require education or have special needs related to IC. Makes recommendations regarding IC practices to all levels of professionals.
• Responsible for providing IC education for all employees, including new employees.
• Provides education and training and acts as an expert resource on IC issues and policies.
• Develops, maintains and evaluates educations programs, tools and resources for infection prevention.
• Ensures that evidence based practice are the basis and foundation of the infection prevention program. Customer Service. Recommends infection surveillance plans for NMMC/NMHS.
• Maintains constructive working relationships with physicians, professional staff at all levels, and other members of the health care team and collaboration with the Medical Director of IC.
• Assists departments in the infection control PI activities. Recommends plans of action for reducing HAIs in patients and visitors. Collaborates with Employee Health regarding plans of action for employees.



QUALIFICATIONS


Education

• Bachelor's Degree Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing or healthcare related field required. Required
• Other (Experience) • Basic and/or intermediate APIC course completion highly preferred.. Preferred
  
  Licenses and Certifications
  
• RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure
• ASCP - Medical Technologist
• CRT - Certified Respiratory Therapist
  
  Work Experience
  
• 1-3 years. Minimum of 3 years in clinical field; required..
  
  Knowledge Skills and Abilities
  
• Completion of Basic and/or intermediate APIC course within 1 year of employment required
• Strong teaching skills required
• Strong Computer skills required
• Excellent written and oral communications required
• Knowledge of financial aspects of clinic and payment reimbursements associated with healthcare related infections
• Responsible for implementing and evaluating the infection control program for appropriate areas, in collaboration with the IC division, Medical Director, SLAs, Administration, Department Managers
• Leads and coordinates NMHS in infection prevention activities in designated areas.
• Familiar with the impact of managed care on infection prevention practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with physicians and hospital staff.
• Demonstrates servant leadership by: Leading through collaboration, trust, respect, foresight, and listening to others ideas and opinions; appropriate use of power and empowerment; punctuality and professionalism while holding others accountable.
• Demonstrates skills in administrative duties required for effective program operation.
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with individuals of all backgrounds, experience, and educational levels.
• Identifies opportunities for strategic planning and goal setting related to HAI prevention
• Interacts with all levels of NMMC/NMHS staff including the Medical Staff, Administration, Departments Heads, supervisory, departmental staff, and regional medical community
• Must convey a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Human relation skills needed include communication, consensus building, conflict resolution, and motivation.
  
  Physical Demands
  
  A thorough completion of this section is needed for compliance with legal standards such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Standing . Constantly
• Walking . Constantly
• Sitting . Occassionally
• Lifting/Carrying . Frequently 50 lbs
• Pushing/Pulling . Frequently
• Climbing . Occassionally
• Balancing . Occassionally
• Stooping/Kneeling/Bending . Occassionally
• Reaching/Over Head Work . Occassionally
• Grasping . Frequently
• Speaking . Constantly
• Hearing . Constantly
• Repetitive Motions . Constantly
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordinations . Frequently
  
  Benefits A****vailable
• Continuing Education
• 403B Retirement Plan with Employer Match Contributions
• Pet, Identity Theft and Legal Services Insurance
• Wellness Programs and Incentives
• Referral Bonuses
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical Benefits
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• License + Certification Reimbursement
• Life, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability, Group Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Employee Discount Program
• Other:
• Early Access to Earned Wages
• Tuition Assistance
• Relocation Assistance
• Paid Time Away
• Special Employee Rates at NMMC Wellness Centers