Infection Preventionist - Days - Augusta, GA presso Wellstar

Job Summary:

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for activities surrounding infection prevention and control with emphasis on
surveillance, investigation, data analysis/interpretation, consultation, and education. Through these activities, the
Infection Preventionist supports the Hospital Infection Prevention Program to improve patient outcomes in all clinical
areas as assigned by the director. This role serves as the Infection Prevention Officer.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Surveillance: Demonstrates clinical competency and expertise in epidemiology. Demonstrates
understanding of NHSN definitions of infections used for surveillance purposes. Participates in the
development of a plan for routine surveillance of assigned patient groups. Conducts ongoing infection
prevention and/or control interventions and implements as appropriate. Reviews and interprets infection
surveillance data on a regular basis. Identifies clusters/potential outbreaks early.
Investigation: Initiates preliminary case finding and risk factor evaluation for the early detection of potential
problems, collaborates in planning for, and participates in the conduction of epidemiologic investigations
identified. Reports confirmed exposures (patient and/or personnel) to the appropriate internal and/or
external individuals. Integrates evaluation of improvements into surveillance practice.
Consultation: Initiates and provides routine consultation relating to the implementation of established
infection prevention and control policies/procedures. Seeks internal and external consultation as needed to
increase expertise to ensure appropriate investigative/interventional measures are implemented. Advises
department manager, faculty, staff, and students regarding infection problems and recommended
prevention and control measures.
Education: Provides formal, problem-oriented educational programs as assigned. Provides informal
education to staff members as needed. Develops, coordinates, and provides educational programs (i.e.
Asepsis, BSI bundle, etc.) as assigned.
Administrative Activities: Collaborates on an ongoing basis with the department director and HEP Staff.
Participates in of HEP staff meetings. Participates in the Infections Committee meetings as needed.
Participates in the routine review of the HEP policies and procedures. Participates in the routine review of
the Infection Control Manual in conjunction with the Infections Committee. Represents HEP on house-wide
and other committees as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned
Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

• Bachelors Public Health or Bachelors Microbiology or Bachelors Health Science or Masters Other-Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor or BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support

• RN - Reg Nurse (Single State)-Preferred

Additional License(s) and Certification(s):

Required Minimum Experience:

Education: additional years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of minimum education requirement. Required and
Minimum 2 years experienced in healthcare setting Required and
Minimum 1 year experience in infection prevention practice Preferred

Experience as a Registered Nurse is highly preferred.

Required Minimum Skills:

Strong verbal and written communication.
Excellent teamwork and relationship building.
Demonstrated knowledge of basic principles of epidemiology, surveillance, data collection and analysis.
Personal time management skills are required.