Apply on Employer Site

NYC Health + Hospitals · 20 hours ago

Infection Control Preventionist-Level II

New York, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$117K/yr - $135K/yr

3+ years exp

NYC Health + Hospitals is a major health care provider in Queens, and they are seeking an Infection Control Preventionist-Level II. This role involves conducting and monitoring activities related to infection surveillance, prevention, and control within a healthcare setting, while collaborating with various departments to enhance patient safety and care outcomes.

Health CareHome Health CareHospitalMedicalNursing and Residential Care

Responsibilities

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 time will be spent on surveillance

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

Reviews daily microbiology and virology reports for culture results that may represent HAI

Participates in apparent cause analysis to identify modifiable risk factors and other infection prevention opportunities

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 record

Assists with investigations of clusters of infections, outbreaks, unusual infections or exposures as these events arise and participates in epidemiologic studies, as needed

Assists with reviewing construction plans and designs and with completion of Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRAs), as needed

Serves as a member of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee

Conducts weekly environmental rounding, as assigned

Consults 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

Conducts mandatory education, as well as new employee orientation sessions, in-services and other educational sessions; participates in the antibiotic stewardship program

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

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

Performs related duties, as assigned, which may include periodic responsibility for responding to urgent infection prevention questions after hours or on weekends

Leads outbreak investigations and projects to reduce infection, and participates in performance improvement initiatives to prevent healthcare associated infections

Identifies opportunities for improvement based on observations, process and outcome indicators and other findings and utilizes performance improvement methodology to create and implement interventions using current scientific literature

Effectively creates and maintains strong relationships with colleagues from key departments, as well as leaders within the System

Reviews, analyzes, and implements regulations, standards, and/or guidelines of applicable governmental agencies, accreditation bodies, and professional organizations. Conducts activities to maintain continuous preparedness for survey

Mentors and audits the work of junior infection preventionists

Functions as a super-user for surveillance applications, actively participates in the weekly Electronic Medical Records (EMR) (infection prevention) meetings and related sub-groups, when necessary

Collaborates in the development and delivery of educational programs that relate to infection prevention, control and epidemiology, while evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs and learner objectives

Effectively collaborates with community health organizations, departments of health and other system infection preventionists

Participates in the preparation of the annual Infection Prevention Program Risk Assessment and Plan. Assists in selecting quality indicators and designing surveillance based on risk assessment

Performs related duties, as assigned, which may include periodic responsibility for responding to urgent infection prevention questions after hours or on weekends

Qualification

Certification in Infection PreventionControl (CIC)EpidemiologyMicrobiologyClinical Laboratory ScienceMedical TechnologyNursingData analysisEducationTrainingCommunication skillsCollaboration

Required

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)

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in Epidemiology, Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Nursing or a related discipline

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

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Epidemiology, Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Nursing or a related discipline and three (3) 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

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in disciplines, as listed in #1 above and four (4) years of satisfactory experience, as described in #1 above

Current CIC issued by CBIC can be substituted for two (2) years of qualifying experience. However, all candidates must obtain a CIC issued by CBIC within three (3) years of appointment to the position

Holds and maintains CIC issued by CBIC

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Epidemiology, Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Nursing or a related discipline and four (4) 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

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in disciplines, as listed in #2 above; and five (5) years of satisfactory experience, as described in #2 above