Summary

The Infection Preventionist (IP) I is a professional who functions under the direction of the Infection Prevention Manager at the hospital location or AVP/ED/Dir of Quality, with a matrix relationship to the Executive Director of Infection Prevention at the system level. Responsibilities include but are not limited to hospital surveillance, rounding, and associated activities by identifying risks that could influence healthcare associated infections within the facility, perform written reporting when rounding through facility and Hospital Outpatient Departments (HOD) with approved tracer tools. Participate in the development of quality initiatives related to Infection Prevention. Learn and implement the fundamentals of HAI (Healthcare Associated Infection) surveillance and reporting per regulatory standards. Learn and implement rounding for completing a PCRA/ICRA during construction and renovation projects. Apply regulatory HAI definitions (NHSN/CDC) when performing assigned computer-based surveillance. Additional responsibilities include providing input on relevant policies and procedures, conducting risk assessments, ensuring adequacy of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices, educating, and coaching staff, patients, and visitors, and assuring regulatory compliance in all aspects of infection surveillance, prevention, and control.

Job description

Job Summary

The Infection Preventionist (IP) I is a professional who functions under the direction of the Infection Prevention Manager at the hospital location or AVP/ED/Dir of Quality, with a matrix relationship to the Executive Director of Infection Prevention at the system level. Responsibilities include but are not limited to hospital surveillance, rounding, and associated activities by identifying risks that could influence healthcare associated infections within the facility, perform written reporting when rounding through facility and Hospital Outpatient Departments (HOD) with approved tracer tools. Participate in the development of quality initiatives related to Infection Prevention. Learn and implement the fundamentals of HAI (Healthcare Associated Infection) surveillance and reporting per regulatory standards. Learn and implement rounding for completing a PCRA/ICRA during construction and renovation projects. Apply regulatory HAI definitions (NHSN/CDC) when performing assigned computer-based surveillance. Additional responsibilities include providing input on relevant policies and procedures, conducting risk assessments, ensuring adequacy of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization practices, educating, and coaching staff, patients, and visitors, and assuring regulatory compliance in all aspects of infection surveillance, prevention, and control.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Surveillance

Conducts surveillance for healthcare associated infections and epidemiologically significant organisms as specified in the Infection Prevention Plan.
Utilizes current NHSN definitions and applies them consistently.
Collects, aggregates and analyzes data.
Accurate NHSN data input
Consistently and proficiently runs validation reports through NHSN
Participate in internal and external validation of data
Confirms and investigates potential clusters and outbreaks
Participates in environment of care (EOC) rounds and oversees IP-related corrective actions.
Facilitates activities to ensure compliance with Hand Hygiene and Isolation Compliance

Reporting and Communicating

Maintains confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
Maintains accurate surveillance records and enters data into repositories.
Reports diseases to local and state public health authorities as required by law.
Submits internal and external data according to established deadlines.
Analyzes information to develop knowledge for appropriate dissemination.

Education

Develops and delivers staff education programs.
Provides patient and family education of infection prevention practices as requested by clinical caregivers.
Provides Infection Prevention orientation for hospital team members.

Leadership

Collaborates with Manager to review and implement system policies and procedures.
Utilizes resources to respond to the questions and needs of the organization.
Maintains regulatory and accreditation compliance.
Collaborates with Employee Health regarding healthcare worker exposure and illness prevention.
Assists Manager in annual risk assessment, goal development and surveillance plan evaluation.
Contributes to the evaluation of new products.

Performs other duties as assigned. Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Requirements

Bachelors in Public Health
Minimum 2 years experience in healthcare setting
Minimum 1 year experience in infection prevention practice
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

Company overview

Wellstar Health System is one of Georgia's largest and most comprehensive integrated healthcare systems, founded in 1993 and headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. As a non-profit health system, Wellstar operates with a mission to enhance the health and well-being of every person it serves through its PeopleCare approach. The system employs approximately 29,469 to 33,000 team members across multiple hospitals, health parks, medical offices, outpatient centers, pediatric centers, nursing facilities, and hospice and home care services. Wellstar is nationally recognized for operating Georgia's largest integrated trauma network and features the second-largest Emergency Department in the United States. The organization provides more than $1 billion annually in charity care and community programs, demonstrating its commitment to community health. Wellstar has earned numerous accolades including recognition on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For, Best Workplaces in Health Care, and PEOPLE Companies that Care lists. The system embraces innovation through its venture firm Catalyst by Wellstar, which nurtures early-stage healthcare companies, and maintains academic partnerships with institutions like the Medical College of Georgia for caregiver training. With specialties spanning cardiovascular care, oncology, women's health, pediatrics, musculoskeletal services, and numerous other medical disciplines, Wellstar delivers comprehensive healthcare across all stages of life.