The employee is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, and reporting of infections. As a part of the Patient Safety Program, plans and assists with the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure rigorous infection prevention and control standards and compliance with regulatory requirements throughout the hospital. The employee is subject to call back and overtime as required by the hospital. The ‘waiting to engage’ on-call after hours and during a week-end is conducted on a rotating basis with other IPs.

Works collaboratively with other health professionals and other departments, serving as a resource person on Infection Prevention and Control for the hospital, West Tennessee Healthcare system affiliates, and the community.
Utilizes current research data to support or change Infection Prevention and Control practice, ensuring compliance with Joint Commission and other regulatory requirements.
Prepares in-service and conducts training in both universal and specific infection prevention practices, supervises learning, and assists staff to integrate theory into practice.
Serves as an Infection Prevention consultant for area nursing homes and other healthcare institutions as requested.
Coordinates investigations of significant clusters of infections above expected levels and present these findings to the hospital epidemiologist, Prevention committee, and the Vice President of Medical Affairs.
Conducts on-going surveillance using appropriate IC criteria, documentation, and investigation of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) through review of admission diagnoses, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, patient records, consultation requests, and post-discharge surveillance.
Reports data to hospital epidemiologist and appropriate committees.
Collaborates with the Quality Outcomes Department and the Patient Safety Officer on quality improvement programs to improve organizational performance.
Serves as infectious disease representative for hospital and community programs.
Proactively manages patients at risk for HAIs through clinical rounding as appropriate.
Analyzes statistical data for reports.
Reviews and evaluates continuing education materials.
Consults and advises with ICPs at WTH affiliate hospitals.
Assumes responsibility for continuing education in a goal-directed manner.
Serves as department liaison for assigned departments, observes processes in those departments to identify opportunities and ways to improve infection prevention and control processes.
Assists with the development and evaluation of yearly goals and objectives for the Infection Prevention Program with the Infection Prevention ommittee.
Performs related responsibilities as required or directed.
Infection Preventionists/ managers will be expected to submit a plan to achieve CIC within three years of department hiring.
Compiles data relative to appropriate antibiotic usage through surveillance activities.
Monitors the isolation of infectious diseases through communication with the Medical and/or Nursing staff.
Directs the notification of appropriate outside agencies of any pertinent findings of communicable disease.
Serves as a contributing member of various hospital committees to improve care and/or select products to enhance Infection Prevention and Control measures.
Assists with the development, updating, and evaluation of Infection Prevention policies and procedures.

EDUCATION: Skills and proficiency in principles, concepts, and techniques of the nursing profession as normally acquired through completion of an accredited school of a nursing program with a BSN preferred or in the field of medical technology. Such proficiency is usually acquired through the completion of a medical technology program in an ASCP accredited school or the equivalent BS degree.  
LICENSURE, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION: Current Tennessee RN license, BSN preferred, or current Tennessee license as a Medical Technologist (General or Specific). Infection Control Certification preferred. Infection Control Certification within three years of department hiring. Staff will receive a one-year notification prior to full implementation.  
EXPERIENCE: Knowledge of hospital and departmental policies and procedures, legal and regulatory guidelines as normally acquired in 2 years of clinical practice. Preferred knowledge of nursing or medical technology practice and techniques, aseptic techniques, and infectious disease entities as normally acquired through 3 years of clinical experience. Teaching experience preferred.