Job Information
Albany Medical Center Infection Preventionist in Albany, New York
Department/Unit:
Epidemiology
Work Shift:
Day (United States of America)
The Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for providing high level guidance to department managers, directors, medical staff and employees in the prevention and control of infections within Albany Medical Center utilizing clinical expertise and nationally recognized infection prevention and control standards. The individual is also responsible for assuring that the infection prevention and control program is maintained throughout the center as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Joint Commission (TJC), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and other professional societies and for providing education in infection prevention and control standards of practice. This position has a significant impact on the organization by supporting clinical and administrative department managers, directors and medical staff in preventing and control of infections in patients, visitors and healthcare workers.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
In conjunction with administration, recommends and institutes appropriate emergency or urgent control measures in any situation in which there are imminent dangers to patients, visitors, or employees from infectious agents.
Provides infection control coverage to medical and surgical units, various non-complex Diagnostic and Treatment Service (DTS) areas (e.g., OT/PT, Pharmacy), non-clinical departments (e.g. Food and Nutrition, Patient Transport) and various Faculty Practice Clinics. Rounds periodically in assigned areas to assess compliance infection prevention and control practices, environment of care issues, regulatory compliance and educational needs. Works with managers and directors for improvements as needed, remediation and/or coordination of educational programs.
Reviews the Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Setting guidelines from CDC and World Health Organization (WHO). Defines differences in handwashing and hand antisepsis and demonstrates competence in both techniques. Educates health care workers on proper hand hygiene technique and corrects lapses in hand hygiene technique when identified.
Applies more advanced knowledge and performs more complex surgical site infection surveillance.
Demonstrates the ability to conduct multi-unit outbreak investigations or outbreaks caused by epidemiologically significant organisms. Identifies the outbreak situation, develops a case definition, a line listing and an epi curve. Guides managers, directors, and medical staff on interventions to reduce cases and eliminate the outbreak. Reports and communicates with appropriate internal, public, and regulatory agencies. Monitors interventions for effectiveness. Develops report of outbreak and reports to the Infection Control Committee and the appropriate quality improvement teams/services.
Participates as a member of the Clinical Value Analysis Team (CVAT) and provides infection prevention and control expertise to the leader and members. Makes recommendations for products that will prevent or reduce infections. Assists with coordination of product trials. As needed develops a cost-benefit analysis. Communicates and assists with coordination of product implementation
Assures that product recalls as a result of a possible infectious risk are conducted efficiently and effectively. Assesses product recall notices to determine extent of problem and potential infectious risks. Assures communication to involved parties and appropriate administrative staff including physicians, patient relations, Medical Director, Chief Nursing Officer, etc. if patients were exposed. Assists with patient notification and follow up instructions as needed. Supports efforts to remove affected products. Reviews final reports to ensure all required information is documented. Ensures the final report is presented to the Infection Control Committee (ICC) and Safety Committee.
Coordinates and responds to patient complaints. Responds to Patient Relations and assists as needed in resolution of complaints before a formal complaint is filed. Meets with patients, visitors and managers as needed to assess concerns, implement interventions, and provide education when necessary to improve patient safety and satisfaction. Investigates and responds to formal complaints with a written response. Works to improve infection control issues that instigated the complaint. Attends Patient Grievance Committee as requested. Works with regulatory affairs coordinator in resolving complaints filed with NYSDOH.
Coordinates and chairs two of the Infection Control Committee subcommittees; the High-Level Disinfection and Sterilization Subcommittee and the Environmental Subcommittee. Charis other subcommittees and appropriate. Reviews membership annually and makes recommendations as needed. Coordinates all aspects of the subcommittees including scheduling, documentation, and follow-up. Assures all related policies are reviewed and approved by the appropriate subcommittee before submission to the Infection Control Committee. Communicates subcommittees’ recommendations to appropriate department manager/director, medical director and to the Infection Control Committee
Develops and monitors annual department education plan. Presents plan to department and director for final review. Sets up process for monitoring compliance. Reports non-compliance to the Director. Assures validation and documentation of all educational requirements for the Epidemiology department.
Coordinates the Legionella prevention program in conjunction with Environmental Health and Safety, Facility Maintenance, and the Microbiology Laboratory. Maintains knowledge of various Legionella Prevention Regulations and Guidelines including CDC and NYSDOH. Reviews/revises the Legionella Risk Assessment a minimum of annually. Sets up annual water testing schedule and operationalizes it. Assures all results are documented and reviewed. Calls a Legionella Response Team meeting when water culture results have a positivity rate of > 30%. Makes recommendations and assures implementation of prevention measures in response to the increased positivity rate. Communicates increased risk, interventions and need for patient testing to the managers and physicians of involved clinical areas. Assures all Legionella prevention activities are reported to the Infection Control Committee and the Safety Committee.
Reviews CDC material for personal protective equipment (PPE) technique for standard precautions, transmission-based precautions and emerging pathogens. Verbalizes the proper steps for donning and doffing PPE. Educates health care workers on proper PPE technique and corrects lapses in technique when identified. Collects PPE compliance data for the Joint Commission Periodic Performance Review
Coordinates infection prevention and control education with the Center for Learning and Development, the medical college and residency program. Reviews and updates various infection prevention and control educational modules including annual safety education and the New York State mandatory education for certain licensed health care professionals and the annual resident orientation educational module. Develops post-test questions for all modules. Coordinates with the Center for Learning and Development to provide supplemental education when systemic infection control knowledge deficits are identified.
Reviews and applies the CDC guidelines for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals. Develops and maintains general knowledge of precautions and corresponding policies and practices. Assesses patients for infectious processes and the need for precautions. Initiates and discontinues precautions per policy via the electronic medical record (EMR). Maintains and updates unit precaution tracking sheets.
Reviews and applies the CDC guidelines for Surgical Site Infections (SSIs), Intravascular Device-related Infections (CLABIs) and Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs ). Identifies and performs different types of surveillance according to the surveillance plan. Assesses patients for infections according to CDC criteria. Completes CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and non-NHSN infection forms. Performs various surveillances including multidrug resistant (MDR) organism, C. difficile, Legionellosis, Aspergillosis, device associated, and non-complicated surgical procedure associated infections. Interprets the data, prepares, and presents reports to appropriate Quality Improvement Teams (QITs) or services. Develops process for collection of denominator data. Makes recommendations for improvements based on data. Guides managers and medical staff on interventions to reduce hospital acquired infections.
Reviews and applies the CDC Environment of Care Guidelines. Develops and maintains knowledge of infection control standards related to the environment of care such as legionella prevention, air handling, protection of patient care equipment, separation of clean and dirty, mold prevention and appropriate areas for consumption of food and beverages. Assesses specific department needs related to the environment of care. Documents results of survey. Assesses reasons for non-compliance and assists with corrections as needed. Participates in the environment of care rounds. Reports survey results, trends and corrective actions to manager/director and appropriate committees or QITs.
Reviews and applies the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care and applies the CDC guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health Care Facilities. Assesses plans with engineering and department manager (when applicable) to validate that all infection control needs and issues are reviewed and discussed. Develops and submits to the Facility Managers or Directors a summary of the construction/renovation plan review including any infection prevention and control requirements or recommendations as needed. Prior to construction or renovation, perform an Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) and complete the infection control part of the safe work checklist. Periodically monitors construction/renovation projects in areas that house patient at high risk for Aspergillosis.
Identifies communicable diseases that require reporting as described in policy. Assesses patient for necessary clinical information. Calls county health department for diseases that require immediate notification. Documents required information on Communicable Disease Electronic Surveillance System (CDESS). Reviews and applies the New York State (NYS) Legionella guidelines. Reviews the Group A and Group B Streptococcus guidelines. Reviews and applies the Ryan White Law and documents and reports Ryan White requests for non-bloodborne pathogen exposures. Reports hospital acquired cases of reportable diseases via the NYSDOH Nosocomial Outbreak Reporting Application (NORA).
Identifies communicable diseases that require an exposure investigation. Assesses patients for communicability. Develops exposure definition in accordance with current standards. Educates and works directly with managers and medical staff to identify persons exposed including patients, health care workers, family members and other community contacts when appropriate. Develops exposure lists. Coordinates with Employee Health to ensure appropriate health care worker follow up. Communicates with public health for community contacts. Notifies previously hospitalized patients who were potentially exposed of their potential exposure and necessary follow up. Reports hospital acquired cases of reportable diseases via the NYSDOH NORA system. Develops report of exposure investigation and reports to the Infection Control Committee and appropriate quality improvement teams.
Defines outbreak and identifies outbreak situations. Manages a unit outbreak. Develops a case definition. Identifies cases, develops a line listing and an epidemiologic curve. Guides manager, director, and medical staff on interventions to reduce cases and eliminate the outbreak. Reports and communicates with appropriate internal, public, and regulatory agencies. Monitors interventions for effectiveness. Develops report of outbreak and reports to the Infection Control Committee (ICC) and the appropriate quality improvement teams/services.
Assesses educational needs in patients, health care workers and the community. Identifies education deficits and makes educational recommendations to managers/directors or the Center for Learning and Development (CLD). Identifies the best format for delivery of the information. Develops the content based on the educational level of the intended audience. Provides education in a variety of formats. Provides education to a variety of audiences. Evaluates effectiveness of both formal and informal educational effort
Develops and maintains knowledge of disinfection and sterilization standards. Surveys areas that perform sterilization or high-level disinfection for compliance for the Joint Commission Periodic Performance Review and documents results of survey. Assesses reasons for non-compliance and assists with corrections as needed. Communicates survey results, trends and corrective actions to appropriate management staff, committees or QITs.
Utilizes a variety of universal software programs. Collects and compiles data and enters into appropriate computerized system. Calculates device-related infection rates using device days. Determines appropriate and feasible denominator data. Selects indicators based on the projected use of the data. Calculates rates or ratios including incidence and prevalence rates. Identifies variances from baseline data that require action. Recognizes statistical significance of surveillance data. Uses tables, graphs, or charts to present reports. Compares results to published data or other benchmarks.
Represents Epidemiology on the Nursing Clinical Practice Council and protocol committee.
Performs construction/renovation plan reviews and Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRAs) on complex or major projects. Assesses plans with engineering and department manager (when applicable) to validate that all infection control needs and issues are reviewed and discussed. Develops and submits to the Facility Managers or Directors a summary of the construction/renovation plan review including any infection prevention and control requirements or recommendations as needed. Prior to construction or renovation, perform an Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) and complete the infection control part of the safe work checklist. Periodically monitors construction/renovation projects in areas that house patient at high risk for Aspergillosis.
Identifies and locates infection control reference sources. Describes the process for policy review/revision and approval. Develops, reviews and revises policies. Educates and implements policy changes in appropriate clinical areas or departments.
Provides on-call coverage for the department. Responds to infection prevention and control inquiries from a variety of sources including nursing staff, nursing supervisors, physicians, patient care directors, administrator on call, public relations, local and state public health agencies, Environmental Health and Safety, Pharmacy and Facilities. Assesses the situation and determines the best course of events including need for patient isolation, determination of exposures and follow up requirements, determination of case definitions for emerging pathogens such as Ebola, MIDDLE Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Measles, etc. and providing guidance to clinical staff for patient management and PPE requirements. Determines the need to report on site and/or escalate to Epidemiology Director, Hospital Epidemiologist and Level III IP.
Develops and distributes Epidemiology weekly administrative updates and monthly bullet points.
Qualifications
Master’s or bachelor’s in nursing, Medical Technology (MT), Public Health or Epidemiology
Master’s degree in biology or other related health sciences field and 1 year experience in their respective fields required or.
Bachelor’s degree in biology or other related health sciences field and 2 years’ experience in their respective fields required or.
A Registered Professional Nurse with 4 years’ experience in their respective field required
Prior management experience - preferred
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Statistical analysis and methodology skills
Ability to perform the job in adherence to the highest standards of ethical conduct as defined by AMC and the tenets of the profession.
Shall have more advanced knowledge in infectious disease processes, surveillance, epidemiologic investigations, measures to prevent and control the transmission of infectious agents, infectious agents associated with animals and the environment, policy development and implementation, sterilization and disinfection, bioterrorism and emerging pathogens, program management and communication, education, research, infection control aspects of employee health and national and local infection prevention and control standards and regulations.
Advanced computer skills required.
Strong leadership, organizational and customer service skills required. Demonstrates principles of conflict resolution and promote consensus building.
Ability to lead, teach and be able to collaborate with people with various educational and social backgrounds.
Ability to work independently and organize work with others.
Ability to develop and promote infection prevention and control and AMC policies, procedures and practices.
Demonstrates accountability for own performance.
Demonstrate an interest in professional growth by engaging in further self-education and participation in continuing education programs.
Ability to interpret the data and make recommendations.
Ability to problem solve, evaluate projects, employee performance and educational/intervention outcomes.
Demonstrates advanced reasoning in interdisciplinary and critical problem solving and apply to acute, critical, infection prevention and control issues that have the potential to jeopardize patient, visitor or healthcare worker safety or facility operations.
Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.Physical Demands
Standing - Constantly
Walking - Constantly
Sitting - Rarely
Lifting - Frequently
Carrying - Frequently
Pushing - Occasionally
Pulling - Occasionally
Climbing - Occasionally
Balancing - Occasionally
Stooping - Frequently
Kneeling - Frequently
Crouching - Frequently
Crawling - Occasionally
Reaching - Frequently
Handling - Frequently
Grasping - Frequently
Feeling - Constantly
Talking - Constantly
Hearing - Constantly
Repetitive Motions - Constantly
Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination - Constantly
Working Conditions
Extreme cold - Rarely
Extreme heat - Rarely
Humidity - Rarely
Wet - Rarely
Noise - Constantly
Hazards - Frequently
Temperature Change - Rarely
Atmospheric Conditions - Rarely
Vibration - Rarely
Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center!Albany Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer.This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that:Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Medical Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.
Thank you for your interest in Albany Medical Center!
Albany Medical is an equal opportunity employer.
This role may require access to information considered sensitive to Albany Medical Center, its patients, affiliates, and partners, including but not limited to HIPAA Protected Health Information and other information regulated by Federal and New York State statutes. Workforce members are expected to ensure that:
Access to information is based on a “need to know” and is the minimum necessary to properly perform assigned duties. Use or disclosure shall not exceed the minimum amount of information needed to accomplish an intended purpose. Reasonable efforts, consistent with Albany Med Center policies and standards, shall be made to ensure that information is adequately protected from unauthorized access and modification.
Albany Med is the centerpiece of medicine, research, and medical education in New York’s CapitalRegion and is the area's largest private employer with more than 10,000 employees.
Albany Med offers excellent career opportunities in a wide range of roles in both patient care andadministration. We value all our staff members and offer outstanding employee benefits including:
Excellent health care coverage (http://albanymedcareers.com/benefits/employee-health-%20benefits/) with lower copays at most Albany Med providers.
A wide array of services and programs to support emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing (http://albanymedcareers.com/benefits/employee-advantages/)
Anchored in the state’s historic capital city, Albany Med offers a full range outpatient and inpatient careand is home to the region’s largest hospital, only Level 1 trauma center, and only children’s hospital. Thedowntown campus also offers opportunities at Albany Medical College.
Albany Med partners with Columbia Memorial Health, Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital to form the Albany Med Health System, serving more than three million people over 25 counties.