Infection control practitioner job description

Cottage Health has been a leader in Santa Barbara County for many years, and is consistently recognized by Fortune in the top 10 best places to work in healthcare.. As a non-profit healthcare system, we are dedicated to the well-being of our community and beyond. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital has over 450 beds, making us the largest hospital system on the central coast. We are a teaching hospital, non-union and a level I trauma center.

Cottage Health seeks full-time Infection Control Practitioner to assist with data collection, education and research activities. Performs surveillance activities and applies an epidemiological approach to problem solving. Abstracts clinical data from various internal documentation sources and enters data into internal and external databases. Utilizes externally defined criteria/algorithms to determine healthcare-associated infection. Uses sound nursing judgment and ensures accurate and timely data entry required to meet reporting deadlines. Able to perform analysis and meaningful presentation of data. Participate in process improvement teams as directed.

Required: Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare/Science related field (e.g. Microbiology, Epidemiology or Nursing).

Preferred: Master's in Public Health & didactic course work in infection control, including either the CDC or APIC course.

Certification required within 2 years of employment: Board Certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC).
Preferred: Current California RN license and 2 years of infection control experience.

Must be able to work independently with minimum supervision. Intermediate computer skills in such areas as spreadsheets, databases, and electronic medical records.
We offer an excellent compensation package that includes above-market salaries, premium medical benefits, optimal staffing ratio and a good life/work balance. Relocation and rental assistance available.
Cottage Health is a leading acute care hospital system, located on the central coast of California, widely known for our superior patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health system operates primarily in Santa Barbara, Ca, since 1888, and consists of three acute care hospitals, a Rehabilitation Hospital, multiple clinics and a multi-site Urgent Care system. Our mission is to serve the central coast communities with excellence, integrity, and compassion. Every day we touch thousands of lives in many different ways, resolute in our mission to put patients first. We take pride in helping our patients get back to living their lives - in the places they love.

Cottage Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cottage Health applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, transgender, gender expression and identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status or any other classification protected by law. This policy applies to all aspects of the relationship between Cottage Health and an applicant or employee. Cottage Health is committed to upholding discrimination-free hiring practices. We strive to cultivate an environment where exceptional people bring diverse perspectives and find belonging, support and connection to their work.

Any Cottage Health applicants who require assistance or reasonable accommodations during the application process may request the need for accommodation with the Recruiter.
Full-Time, 8 Hours, Day Shift, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Infection Control Department

Assumes responsibility for and provides guidance to the hospital-wide infection prevention control program. Serves as a resource on infection risk assessment, surveillance prevention, and control strategies. Utilizes epidemiology principles to monitor the delivery of patient care and investigate potential outbreaks of infection. Maintains knowledge of external regulatory standards related to infection surveillance, prevention, and control. Ensures policies and procedures meet regulation standards. Acts as a liaison between departments and the Infection Control Committee. Also serves as a resource person for orientation, continuing staff education, patient care, the community, Employee Health, and in the development of hospital-wide infection control policies, procedures, and practices.
MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

* Performs and documents physical surveillance of the environment on a routine and as-needed basis.
* Precise identification, calculation, and submission of epidemiological rates of hospital and community-associated infections.
* Effectively communicates with all pertinent stakeholder notifications of changes, for education provision, partnership in initiatives, i.e. administration, nursing, environmental services, plant ops, etc.
* Strategizes and assists with annual risk assessment, program, plans, annual goals, etc. to meet Facility, Regional, Corporate, and regulatory requirements.
* Represents the Facility, the Region, the Corporation, and the Infection Prevention and Control Department in facility-specific committees and system committees, and regulatory surveys through active participation, preparedness, and critical thinking.
* Collects and analyzes infection control data. Plans, implements, and evaluates infection prevention and control measures. Develops and revises infection control policies and procedures in accordance with evaluation findings, as well as changes in regulatory mandates.
* Investigates suspected outbreaks of infection. Addresses physician=s concerns about perceived, potential, or actual problems. Serves as liaison to local health authorities for the reporting of communicable diseases.
* Educates individuals about infection risk, prevention, and control. Provides consultation for patients' families, associates, and physician's regarding infection concerns.
* Strategizes and assists with annual risk assessment, program, plans, annual goals, etc. to meet Facility, Regional, Corporate, and regulatory requirements.

JOB STANDARD QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education/Skills

* Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Microbiology, Medical Technology, Epidemiology, or Master of Public Health (MPH) or other health-related field required.

B. Experience

* Prior Infection Prevention experience is preferred
* Demonstrates experience in the field of infection control of epidemiology and OSHA standards.
* Must be familiar with the identification of pathogens, antibiotic susceptibility testing, normal microbial flora of the human body, and its distribution.

C. Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

* Current licensure in the state of practice if licensed as an LVN or RN.
* APIC Basic Training and CBIC certification preferred.
* Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) within 2 years of hire.

Work Type:

Full Time

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Reports to the Executive Director of Quality and Patient Safety and is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring a system-wide infection prevention program which includes the surveillance of health care associated and community acquired infections in patients and employees and the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections. Functions as a consultant and advisor to medical center personnel to solve infection control problems Demonstrates competency in the domains of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) model for Infection Preventionists.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Drawing from published guidelines, standards, and research, develops comprehensive infection control policies and procedures for the medical center and/or all departments.

Identifies and implements infection control strategies according to specific topics: Hand Hygiene

Cleaning, Disinfection, Sterilization

Environmental Hazards

Use of patient care products, equipment and devices

Construction and renovation

Influx of patients with communicable diseases

Use of barrier precautions when indicated

Patient immunization programs

Reduction of hospital acquired infections

Demonstrates high degree of analytic competency: ability to apply and use surveillance data and reported using statistical methods and tools including application of the standard infection ratio (SIR), risk assessment and hazard vulnerability analysis.

Recognizes outbreaks of healthcare associated infections through reviewing cultures, medical records, attending laboratory rounds, consulting with nursing and medical staff. Performs necessary epidemiological investigation, makes recommendations for improvement, and works with relevant departments and staff to implement and monitor improvements.

Investigates patients, visitor and employee exposure to infectious diseases and follows-up with appropriate infection control procedures. Assists in monitoring compliance of staff to infection control procedures.

Leads performance improvement teams. Demonstrates use of PI tools and methods to achieve reliability in systems and processes.

Provides education: Develops orientation and training for medical center staff, licensed independent practitioners, students/trainees, and volunteers and as appropriate to visitors, patients and families.

Acts as a consultant to employees, medical and nursing staff, Employee Health and various other Hospital departments regarding infection control problems and policies.

Evaluates infection control aspects of patient care products, equipment, and supplies.

Collaborates and consults with Emergency Management, Safety Officer, Design and Construction and Supply Chain.

Actively leads, participates on the Infection Control Committee.

Actively participates in TJC preparedness and survey readiness efforts.

Collaborates with the Department of Public Health (DPH) to coordinate reporting of communicable diseases to appropriate local and state health departments and agencies.

Actively keeps current with evolving field of infection prevention through networking opportunities, publications, collaboratives and certifications.

Performs other job related duties as required.