Infection Preventionist II

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At CHOP, your experience is valued; your voice is heard; and your contributions make a difference for patients and families. Join us as we build on our promise to advance pediatric care-and your career.

CHOP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, or any other legally protected categories in any employment, training, or vendor decisions or programs. CHOP recognizes the critical importance of a workforce rich in varied backgrounds and experiences and engages in ongoing efforts to achieve that through equally varied and non-discriminatory means.

A Brief Overview
This role is an experienced professional in healthcare infection prevention and control with a strong skill set and knowledge throughout the continuum of care with experience in preventing healthcare associated infections, education of healthcare workers and promoting safe and efficient patient care. Considered proficient in healthcare and/or infection prevention operations, this role is responsible for conducting surveillance, rounding for influence, supporting performance improvement activities which promote patient safety and leading investigations of outbreaks.

This position will have primary focus as both as a consultant and educator for healthcare providers, patients and families on the practical methods of preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases with a particular focus on healthcare acquired infection prevention. In addition, knowledge and skills of advanced infection prevention and control competencies will be developed to include leadership, professional stewardship, quality improvement, and implementation science.

What you will do

1. Consultation on IPC Practices

• Provide expert consultation to HCPs, staff, patients, and families on IPC questions; advise on isolation practices and appropriate use of PPE.
• Round on unit to embed and audit essential components of infection prevention and proactively implement recommendations based on surveillance reports
• Full-time staff will provide on call support on a scheduled rotation.

2. Education design & delivery

• Design and deliver IPC education tailored to audience needs and learning styles
• Foster a conducive learning environment using innovative teaching methodologies

3. Surveillance, collaboration and rounding

• Audit adherence to standard precautions, hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions, and PPE.
• Assess compliance with prevention measures for device-related, surgical and other healthcare associated infections.
• Evaluate environmental cleanliness and patient safety conditions.
• Review daily isolation reports to ensure appropriate transmission-based precautions.
• Use data and basic epidemiologic methods to identify trends, support decisions, and set goals.
• Lead clusters/outbreaks/unusual infections/exposures with mentorship support; participate in epidemiologic studies as needed.
• Communicate surveillance insights with surveillance IPs and unit/department leaders; collaborate across disciplines to implement and sustain prevention strategies.
• Attend surveillance education sessions to maintain competency.
• Review construction plans/designs and complete ICRAs as needed.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to influence and sustain behavior change that improves IPC practices.
• Perform other surveillance duties as assigned.

4. Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization oversight

• Apply principles of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization; identify and address deficiencies in practice.

5. Evidence, research, and quality improvement

• Review scientific studies and integrate evidence-based practices.
• Collaborate on IPC research and quality improvement; differentiate research from QI.
• Disseminate findings via practice changes, education, publications, abstracts, presentations, and adoption of new technologies/products.
• Participate in improvement projects to support patient safety and harm reduction.

6. Regulatory compliance and risk assessment

• Maintain compliance with accrediting bodies and applicable regulations.
• Perform risk assessments to identify IPC gaps and develop action plans with goals and measurable objectives.
• Consult and collaborate with local, state, and federal public health officials, healthcare facilities, and community organizations as needed.

7. Financial stewardship

• Ensures financial acumen by assisting with product evaluation, leveraging technology and considering opportunities to improve efficiency both within the IPC team and organization at-large.

8. Other duties as assigned

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Public Health or healthcare field of study - Required
• Master's Degree in Public health or healthcare related field of study - Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least five (3) years as a healthcare or public health professional - Required
• At least seven (2) years of infection prevention - Preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced proficiency in data collection, data management and reporting (Required proficiency)
• Advanced proficiency with office software (Microsoft) including word processing, spreadsheet and visual planning software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio) (Required proficiency)
• Substantial knowledge of surveillance and epidemiological data (Required proficiency)
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills (Required proficiency)
• Excellent interpersonal skills (Required proficiency)
• Excellent time management skills (Required proficiency)
• Excellent organizational skills (Required proficiency)
• Strong critical thinking / problem-solving skills (Required proficiency)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism (Required proficiency)
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision (Required proficiency)
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels (Required proficiency)
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to change (Required proficiency)
• Ability to gather, analyze and make recommendations/decisions based on data (Required proficiency)
• Ability to convey complex or technical information in an easy-to-understand manner (Required proficiency)

Licenses and Certifications

• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) - Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology - within 12 months - Required
• Licensed Pharmacist (Pennsylvania) - Pennsylvania State Licensing Board - - Preferred
• Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society Clinical Pathologists - - Preferred
• Registered Nurse (Pennsylvania) - Pennsylvania State Licensing Board - - Preferred

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, CHOP employees who work in patient care buildings or who have patient facing responsibilities must receive an annual influenza vaccine. Learn more.

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SALARY RANGE:

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

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At CHOP, we are committed to fair and transparent pay practices. Factors such as skills and experience could result in an offer above the salary range noted in this job posting. Click here for more information regarding CHOP's Compensation and Benefits.