Infection Prevention & Control Coordinator

Required Skills

1. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Quality, Integrity and Stewardship that support our mission, vision and values:

• SAFETY: Prevent Harm – I will put safety first in everything I do.  I will speak up, without fear, on matters of patient and colleague safety.  I will take action to create an environment of zero harm.

• QUALITY: Improve Outcomes –  I will continually advance my knowledge and skills.  I will seek out continuous improvement opportunities.  I will deliver evidence-based care that leads to excellence in outcomes.

• INTEGRITY: Show respect and Compassion  – I will respect others and show compassion.  I will behave honesty and ethically.  I will be accountable for my attitude, actions and health.

• STEWARDSHIP: Reduce Waste – I will use resources wisely and maintain financial stability.  I will work together to coordinate care and services across the health system.  I will promote healthier communities.

1. Coordinates daily activities for local affiliate IP team. Provides direction and support of the members of the team including onboarding of new colleagues, triaging of daily tasks.
2. Collaborates with Manger, Infection Prevention with planning and carrying out of special studies or investigations.
3. Attends hospital group departmental meetings and other meetings as assigned.
4. Collaborates with Manger, Infection Prevention with development of department schedule and time card management.
5. Collaborates with Manager, Infection Prevention and Infection Prevention Medical Director on Infection Control Committee agenda development and materials.
6. Identification of infectious disease processes
   • Differentiate among colonization, infection and contamination.
   • Identify occurrences, reservoirs, incubation periods, periods of communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and susceptibility associated with the disease process.
   • Interpret results of diagnostic/lab reports.
   • Recognize limitations and advantages of types of test used to diagnosis infectious processes.
   • Recognize epidemiologically significant organisms for immediate review and investigation.
   • Differentiate among prophylactic, empiric, and therapeutic uses of antimicrobials.
   • Identify indications for microbiologic monitoring.

1. Surveillance and epidemiologic investigations

• Design of surveillance systems.
• Collection and compilation of surveillance data.
• Interpret surveillance data.
• Outbreak investigation.
• Ability to apply and use surveillance data to improve practice.
• Ability to use advanced statistical methods and tools including infection ratio, risk assessment, hazard vulnerability analysis.
• Participates in Antimicrobial Stewardship programs as needed.
• Communicates hospital associated infection data monthly to key stakeholders.

1. Preventing/controlling the transmission of infectious agents

• Develop and review infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with public health agencies in planning community responses to biologic agents (e.g., anthrax, influenza).
• Identify and implement infection prevention and control strategies according to specific topics:
  • Hand hygiene
  • Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization
  • Specific direct and indirect care settings
  • Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures and devices
  • Product/equipment recall procedures
  • Use of isolation/barrier precautions when indicated
  • Patient placement, transfer, discharge
  • Environmental hazards
  • Use of patient care products and medical equipment
  • Patient immunization programs
  • Construction and renovation
  • Influx of patients with communicable diseases

1. Colleague health: Collaborates with Colleague Health in the development of strategies that address the risk of disease transmission to HCW and ancillary staff.

• Review and/or develop screening and immunization programs.
• Provide counseling, follow-up, work restriction recommendations related to communicable diseases or following exposures in collaboration with Employee Wellness nurse.
• Assist with analysis and trending of occupational exposure incidents and information exchange between Employee Wellness and Infection Prevention and Control Departments.
• Participates in development and review of EW policies and procedures related to infection prevention and control.
• Assists in the influenza campaign.
• Consults on post-exposure protocols and activities related to communicable diseases.
• Assess the risk of occupational exposure to infectious diseases when indicated.

1. Education and research: Serves as an educator and educational resource for HCW, ancillary staff, patients, families, and the general public.

• Assess needs, develop goals and measurable objectives and prepare plans for educational offerings.
• Apply principles of adult learning to educational strategies and delivery of educational sessions.
• Prepare, present, or coordinate educational workshops. Lectures, discussion or one-on-one instruction on a variety of infection prevention and control topics.
• Apply critical reading skills to evaluate research findings.
• Utilizes appropriate information technology in educational design and delivery.
• Incorporates research findings into practice through education and consultation.

1. Professional development: Acquires and advances current knowledge and skills in the area of infection prevention, control, and epidemiology. 

• Demonstrates expert knowledge and advances education, knowledge, and skills as they relate to infection prevention and control
• Participates in professional organizations and networking opportunities
• Leads in the integration of prevention activities within and across departments
• Seeks leadership development opportunities through Leadership Development Institute

1. Professional accountability: Responsible for the development, evaluation, and improvement of own practice in relations to the Practice Standards.

• Establishes and works toward professional goals and objectives.
• Performs regular self-evaluations to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• Seeks constructive feedback regarding professional practice.
• Keeps current on best practices through evidence based research and guidelines.
• Participates in education opportunities that promote personal professional growth and development.
• Acquires and advances current knowledge and skills in the area of infection prevention & control.
• Communicates effectively with internal and external customers.
• Possesses team and consensus building within and across stakeholder groups

1. Leadership: Serves as a leader, mentor, and role model.

• Coordinates local affiliate IP work and works collaboratively with others.
• Shares knowledge and expertise.
• Mentors less experienced health care providers and ancillary personnel.
• Recommends specific equipment, personnel, and resources for the infection prevention and control program.
• Assists with evaluation of accreditation/regulatory compliance issue and facilitates compliance.
• Conduct or assist with completion of an infection risk assessment of the organization.
• Assist with the development of goals, measurable objectives, and action plans for the infection prevention and control program.
• Participate in cost benefit assessments, efficacy studies, and product evaluations.
• Recommend changes in practice based on clinical outcomes and financial implications.
• Provide infection prevention and control findings, recommendations, annual reports and policies and procedures to appropriate individuals, committees department and units.
• Demonstrates clear understanding of Joint Commission and CMS requirements for Infection Control programs.

1. Consultation: Provides expert knowledge and guidance in infection prevention, control, and epidemiology.

• Stays current with developments in infection prevention and control.
• Integrates into practice, policies, and procedures: pertinent regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and guidelines.
• Supports patient/families, administration, committees, HCW, and ancillary staff in infection prevention, control and epidemiology issues.
• Provides input into patient safety and health care quality initiatives.

1. Performance improvement: Functions as an integral part of performance improvement initiatives to promote positive patient and employee outcomes. 

• Identifies opportunities for improvement based on observations, process and outcome indicators, and other findings.
• Acts as an agent of change and participates in the change process.
• Directs the organization’s infection prevention and control improvement activities.
• Participates and/or leads performance improvement teams for the organization/system based upon project needs.
• Utilizes established measurement tools and techniques, e.g., outbreak investigation, root cause analysis, etc.
• Integrates surveillance findings into formal plans for improvement of practice and patient outcomes.
• Collaborates with risk management/quality management in the identification and review of adverse and sentinel events.
• Completes Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification training, and applies those principles to activities within the department.
• Participates on Defect Huddle as needed.

1. Patient contact: Provide patient contact for limited activities.

• Serve as consultant to patient and families related to infection control concerns.
• Interprets lab cultures and explain results to patients and families.
• Performs patient rounding on all patients with new diagnosis of multidrug resistant organism.
• Review and analyze patient charts for vaccine status if indicated.
• Assist with pneumococcal and influenza vaccination programs.
• Assess compliance with healthcare acquired infection prevention bundles with direct patient contact and evaluation of process measures.

1. Performs other related work as required or requested.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.