RN-Infection Prevention Practitioner

The RN-Infection Prevention Practitioner coordinates comprehensive organization wide infection surveillance, prevention and control program in accordance with current requirements of regulatory, government and accrediting/licensing agencies and organizational policies and procedures. Duties include surveillance for healthcare associated infections (HAIs); collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting of surveillance data; outbreak investigation; and program evaluation. Responsible for the day-to-day administration and development of the infection surveillance, prevention and control program.

Why UnityPoint Health?

Commitment to our Team - We're proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Culture - At UnityPoint Health, you matter. Come for a fulfilling career and experience a culture guided by uncompromising values and an unwavering belief in doing what's right for the people we serve.

Benefits - Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you're in.

• Caring is what we do, and it starts with our team members: expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program as we support you both personally and professionally.
• You can only give your best when you feel your best, and we help you live well with dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members to give you peace of mind.
• We strive to make things easier and more personal in health care to set us apart from the rest, and you can experience that commitment through early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, a tuition reimbursement program designed to help you further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family in the way that works for you.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commitment - At UnityPoint Health, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together. Our collective goal is to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected.

Development - We believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is an essential part of delivering a remarkable employment experience.

Community Involvement - Be an essential part of our core purpose-to improve the health of the people and communities we serve.

Hear more from our team members about why UnityPoint Health is a great place to work at https://dayinthelife.unitypoint.org

Infection Risk Surveillance

• Conducts an annual facility infection risk assessment and develops a plan for infection surveillance, prevention and control activities based on the facility risk assessment.
• Maintains an infection surveillance, prevention and control program based on the organization's risk assessment and plan, in accordance with state, federal and other reporting requirements.
• Collects, manages and analyzes surveillance data using standardized methodology and defined criteria for an HAI.
• Reports surveillance data, findings and analyses to the appropriate committees, patient care unites, personnel and external agencies.
• Monitors patients for the occurrence of communicable diseases, HAIs, and resistant and epidemiologically important organisms.

Identify and Monitor Infection Risk

• Monitors infectious diseases and epidemiologically significant organisms occurring in the community via laboratory reports and public health reports.
• Institutes an outbreak investigation and control measures as needed.
• Recommends isolation precautions according to the organization's policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with employee health personnel on matters such as exposure management and immunization.
• Communicates mandatory reportable illnesses and unusual illnesses to local and state health departments.

Risk and Transition Prevention

• Develops evidence-based infection prevention and control policies and protocols in accordance with regulatory, government and accrediting/licensing agency requirements and recommendations of relevant professional organizations.
• Updates policies and protocols as needed to maintain compliance with regulations, standards and evidence-based guidelines.
• Assists the organization to evaluate and maintain readiness for state, federal, and accrediting agency surveys.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficacy of infection prevention and control strategies.
• Collaborates with other departments throughout the organization to design and implement strategies to prevent HAIs and transmission of multidrug resistant organisms and other epidemiologically important organisms.
• Investigates exposures to communicable disease and initiates appropriate measures to prevent the transmission of disease.
• Provides consultation services relating to infection prevention and control to various departments in the organization.
• Evaluates products, devices and equipment as relating to infection prevention and control.
• Works with facilities management and other personnel to evaluate infection risks associated with renovation and construction projects and identify control measures.

Quality Assurance and Education

• Actively participates in quality assurance/performance improvement activities.
• Maintains departmental records to be in compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• Provides written and verbal reports to administration and relevant committees, departments, personnel, and external agencies.
• Participates in orientation programs and required annual education programs.
• Provides education on hand hygiene, aseptic technique, infection prevention and control strategies, antiseptics and disinfectants, specific infectious diseases and other related health care issues.
• Develops or obtains educational materials and programs for personnel, patients and visitors.Active member of the following committees: Performance Improvement, Health and Safety, Antibiotic Stewardship, Value Analysis Team, and other committees as assigned.