Infection Preventionist

Join to apply for the Infection Preventionist role at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Join to apply for the Infection Preventionist role at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

Are you looking to take your career to new heights with a leader in healthcare? SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is one of the nation's leading metropolitan medical centers. As the only academic medical center in Brooklyn, we serve a large population that is among the most diverse in the world. We are also highly-ranked by Castle Connolly Medical, a healthcare rating company for consumers, among the top 5 leading U.S. medical schools for training doctors.

Bargaining Unit

UUP



Job Summary

The Department of Infection Control at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University is seeking a full-time Infection Preventionist/TH Staff Associate.

Responsibilities

The Infection Preventionist (IP) evaluates quality of patient care and patient outcomes as they relate to healthcare-associated infections; collects, prepares and analyzes healthcare-associated infection data; presents infection data and makes recommendations for actions; monitors employee compliance in use of barriers and infection prevention measures; prepares and presents education offerings for the staff; serves as resource to all departments and personnel; implements programs to protect the healthcare workers, visitors, and others in the healthcare environment;

sets and recommends policies and procedures to prevent adverse events; provides internal and external reporting of information and data; promotes compliance with regulations, guidelines, and accreditation requirements. Additional duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Collect, review, analyze and interpret surveillance data and recommends appropriate actions to clinicians and administrators targeted to reduce or eliminate infectious risks in patients and staff.
• Conduct investigations of suspected infectious outbreaks. Conduct activities related to exposure of patients and employees to communicable diseases. Assess all positive cultures. Properly classify as hospital acquired or community acquired through concurrent or retrospective review of the patient charts.
• Develop, review, evaluate and implement infection control policies and procedures to improve quality of care and meet current recommended guidelines.
• Educate specific patient population and their families regarding health promotion/infectious disease prevention, and management of their care.
• Function as an educational resource in the areas related to Infection Control. Plan, develop and conduct in-service education programs for University Hospital of Brooklyn (UHB) employees. Participate in hospital orientation program, educating new staff about their role in infection control. Instruct hospital personnel in standard and specific infection control procedures.
• Consult with department and administrative staff on infection control issues.
• Initiate and participates in quality improvement projects. Provide for the integration with the hospital’s Performance Improvement Program through the performance of PI related functions and reporting mechanisms.
• Plan, organize, develop, coordinate and direct a hospital-wide plan for the prevention, surveillance and control of infection.
• Facilitate Infection Control Committee meetings in conjunction with IC Director; i.e. agenda, minutes, etc.
• Inspect hospital construction projects for infection control issues during all stages of the project.
• Participate in periodic surveys of patient care areas.
• Provide consultative services on product and equipment evaluation.
• Review monthly surgical reports. Prepare special and routine reports and perform special projects, including research studies.
• Serve as an active member of the assigned committees and/or departmental PI working groups.
• Acts as liaison to the NYCDOHMH, NYSDOH, and CDC.

• Degree in Nursing, Epidemiology or related health field.
• Masters-level education in related field.
• Desirable experience in structured patient education experience and/or design of patient education program.
• Ability to develop policies and procedures.
• Knowle…