Location: New York,NY, USA
Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center is one of New York City's premier acute care hospitals. Located in Downtown Bronx, Lincoln is a teaching hospital renowned for its Centers of Excellence, and a recognized industry leader in the implementation of state-of-the art medical technology and best practices. Our team of highly trained and caring medical professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care that is safe, compassionate, culturally competent and patient-centered. Comprehensive services are offered in three major primary care areas: Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women's Health in addition to more than eighty (80) specialty services. At Lincoln, the safety and comfort of our patients is our number one priority. At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons. Visit us at www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/lincoln. Job Description PURPOSE OF POSITION: Under varying levels of supervision, depending on Assignment Level, conducts, facilitates, develops, and monitors activities and functions relating to surveillance, investigation, analysis, interpretation, reporting, prevention, and control of infections and communicable diseases. Participates in assessing, implementing, and maintaining a culture of safety across the continuum of care, by performing a wide range of prevention and control functions. Supports the delivery of safe patient-centered, quality care and collaborates with various departments across the health care setting to facilitate improved outcomes and patient experience. Acts in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations and infection control standards DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Under direct supervision, conducts infection control surveillance and activities, assists with investigations of outbreaks and education and consultation of healthcare providers (HCPs), and performs healthcare-associated infections (HAI) prevention activities. 1. Conducts ongoing infection control surveillance, prevention, and control program activities within a health care setting to identify early and/or suspected outbreaks of infections and communicable diseases, and to control and reduce the risk of exposure and avoid transmission by using epidemiologic principles. Approximately 80% of the time will be spent on surveillance. 2. Collects, tabulates, analyzes, and interprets infection data and records, and prepares and reviews reports; utilizes appropriate reporting programs; accurately reports reportable diseases to the appropriate public health departments and responds to public health department inquiries, as needed. 3. Review daily microbiology and virology reports for culture results that may represent HAI. 4. Participates in apparent cause analysis to identify modifiable risk factors and other infection prevention opportunities. 5. Reviews patient charts for evidence of HAIs and applies National Health and Safety Network (NHSN) definitions to identify and report HAIs through the use of an electronic surveillance system. Documents appropriate information in patient electronic records. 6. Assists with investigations of clusters of infections, outbreaks, unusual infections or exposures as these events arise and participate in epidemiologic studies, as needed. 7. Assists with reviewing construction plans and designs and with completion of Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs), as needed 8. Serves as a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee. 9. Conduct weekly environmental rounding, as assigned. 10. Consult with HCPs to answer infection prevention and control questions or concerns from staff, patients, and/or families. Advises staff on appropriate isolation practices and use of personal protective equipment. 11. Conducts mandatory education, as well as new employee orientation sessions, in-services, and other educational sessions; participates in the antibiotic stewardship program. 12. Assists with the review of infection prevention and control policies and procedures and with risk assessments to identify gaps in infection prevention and control and areas of priority. 13. Maintains compliance with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels, facilitates compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, and stays current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards. Participates in Joint Commission, Department of Health, and other regulatory readiness. 14. Performs related duties, as assigned, which may include periodic responsibility for responding to urgent infection prevention questions after hours or on weekends. Minimum Qualifications For Appointment to Level I 1. Holds and maintains or obtains within three (3) years of appointment to the position, a Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC); and 2. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in Epidemiology, Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Nursing or a related discipline; and 3. Two (2) years of satisfactory clinical experience or experience working in infection prevention and control, health care epidemiology or a related field in a hospital or a health care setting. If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the Apply Now button or forward your resume, noting the above Job ID #, to: Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center Human Resources Department 234 Eugenio Maria De Hostos Blvd, (East 149th Street), 2nd Floor, Annex Bronx, NY 10451 Attn: Recruitment Unit NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes: