Infection Prevention & Safety Officer

Cherry County Hospital seeks an Infection Prevention & Safety Officer to lead hospital-wide infection control and safety programs in our rural critical access setting. This role develops and maintains evidence-based policies, conducts surveillance and data analysis, and ensures compliance with CDC, CMS, OSHA, and Joint Commission standards. The Officer educates staff on infection prevention, PPE, and hand hygiene; investigates infections and safety events; and drives quality improvement initiatives. Working in a close-knit, interdisciplinary team, you will help safeguard patients, staff, and the community through proactive, patient-centered safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor infection prevention and hospital safety policies and procedures.
• Conduct ongoing infection surveillance, data analysis, and reporting to leadership and regulatory bodies.
• Lead investigations of healthcare-associated infections and safety events, recommending corrective actions.
• Educate and train staff on infection control, PPE, hand hygiene, and safety best practices.
• Coordinate preparedness for outbreaks and emerging infectious diseases in collaboration with clinical teams.
• Audit clinical practices and environments to identify risks and drive quality improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with CDC, CMS, OSHA, and Joint Commission infection prevention and safety standards.
• Collaborate with nursing, medical staff, and support services to promote a culture of safety and accountability.

Required Skills

• Infection prevention protocols
• Hospital epidemiology
• CDC and CMS regulations
• Joint Commission standards
• OSHA and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens
• Data analysis and surveillance systems (e.g., NHSN)
• Root cause analysis
• Policy development and implementation
• Staff training and education
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Outbreak investigation
• Report writing and documentation
• PPE and isolation precautions
• Hand hygiene program management
• Quality improvement methodologies