INFECTION CONTROL SPECIALIST
: Job Details :

Covenant HealthCare US:MI:SAGINAW DAY SHIFT FULL TIME BENEFITED Summary: The Infection Prevention & Control Specialist conducts surveillance to identify hospital associated infection (HAI), facilitates reporting to the Public Health Department, and provides education and consultation. The Infection Prevention & Control Specialist demonstrates excellent customer service performance in that his/her attitude and actions are at all times consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission and Values of Covenant HealthCare and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation. Responsibilities: Demonstrates excellent customer service. Participates in accrediting agency surveys. Contributes to organization success targets for patient satisfaction and net operating margin. Demonstrates age specific competency in the selected age groups: newborn, infant, pediatric, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric. Performs surveillance to identify hospital acquired infections and reportable communicable diseases (as required by law), using established criteria and methodologies. Communicates with the public health department via phone as appropriate, as well as written reports. Verifies patients are appropriately isolated. In collaboration with Case Coordinators, nursing staff, and the physicians, identifies HAI infections. Collaborates with the Infection Prevention & Control Program Coordinator in investigating cluster/outbreak, implementing control measures and strategies for prevention of future outbreaks. Monitors compliance with TB protocols and isolation policies. Prepares and presents reports to the committee as designated by the Program Coordinator. Researches infection control issues, presents information, and makes recommendations. Responds to requests for education and assistance as needed Serves as a consultant for case coordinators, directors, managers, staff, and physicians. Participates in PI teams and other committees as designated by the Program Coordinator. Collaborates with Employee Health on infection control issues. Other information: EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Registered nurse (RN) from an accredited school of nursing and a valid Michigan license Completion of Course of Study by Association for Practitioners in Infection Control and Epidemiology Inc. (APIC) or Michigan Society for Infection Control (MSIC) preferred. 3-5 years of related hospital experience KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES Knowledge of epidemiological principles and infectious diseases. Demonstrates critical thinking and ability to resolve problems. Demonstrates knowledge and application of inferential statistics. Excellent computer skills with spreadsheets and databases. Effective leadership and exceptional facilitation skills. Demonstrates ability to work in teams in a collaborative manner. Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with health care professionals, both internal and external to the organization. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking. Willingness to improve knowledge base. Is assertive, open to change and has excellent organizational skills. Flexible, results-oriented, and incorporates continuous quality improvement into daily activities. Ability to work under pressure independently exercising sound judgement, discretion and initiative. Demonstrates a positive and professional image. Knowledge of concepts of managed care and team facilitation. Solid understanding of disease processes, treatments and standards of care. Demonstrates ability to maintain information in a confidential manner. WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS Ability to maintain punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards. Frequent standing, walking, sitting, talking, and hearing. Occasional lifting up to 100 lbs. or more. Occasional carrying, pushing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, squatting, crawling, twisting, reaching, handling, feeling, near vision, midrange vision, far vision, depth perception, visual accommodation, color vision, and field of vision. NOTICE REGARDING LATEX SENSITIVITY IN APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT. It has been determined that Covenant HealthCare cannot provide a latex safe or latex free work environment at any of its facilities. Unfortunately, that means that any individual, including an applicant or an employee, is likely to be exposed to latex while on Covenant's premises. Therefore, latex tolerance is considered to be an essential function for any position with Covenant.