System Infection Preventionist

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists in developing an Infection Prevention and Control training and mentoring program designed for preparing new IPs for career transition into infection prevention, and/or guide experienced IPs through their transition into Houston Methodist. Takes an active role in training and mentoring less experienced IPs at the hospital level and participates in validating IP competencies.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads system level initiatives focused on the prevention of healthcare associated infections. Works to engage leadership and staff at the various HM facilities to encourage participation in relevant infection prevention initiatives. Dedicates time and resources to ensure adequate system support is devoted to facilitate project success.

• Assists in managing a system process for monitoring alerts and bulletins related to emerging infectious diseases. Communicates relevant information to appropriate leadership and facilitates implementation of staff education and training focused on prevention of disease proliferation. Collaborates with leadership and front line staff to develop emerging infectious diseases response plans and participates in preparedness drills as deemed appropriate by executives.

• Participates in product evaluation focused on improving patient care as related to infection prevention. Serves as an ad hoc member on Value Analysis teams and provides input concerning products currently utilized at HM and new products proposed for acquisition.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and facilitates the implementation of system level IC policies based on best practice guidelines and current peer reviewed studies. Consolidates existing facility level policies into system level policies in an effort to minimize variation of practices across facilities. Assists departments in developing policies relevant to infection prevention and promotes systemization of practices when appropriate.

• Develops system level education and training materials related to the prevention of infections. This includes materials aimed at bringing awareness to hospital staff, medical staff, patients, families, and visitors. Revises current presentations and educational materials to reflect changes in practices according to new or revised guidelines.

• Maintains awareness related to regulatory requirements and communicates relevant changes in mandates to Infection Preventionists and Quality Directors across the system. Facilitates the implementation of infection control surveillance practices across the system to meet regulatory requirements. Conducts staff training related to reporting of infections data to external stakeholders (i.e., CMS, TDSHS, local health authority, Leapfrog, Q-Net, etc.)

• Assists in managing a system process designed to monitor instrument and product recalls and alerts (i.e., FDA, EPA, etc.) relevant to infection control. Communicates information related to alerts and recalls to System Supply Chain, IPs, Quality Directors, and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate. Facilitates the development of system level corrective action plans (CAPs) related to product recall and alerts, and provides support during implementation of the CAPs on the entity level.

• Participates in internal regulatory surveys conducted system wide, and provides written reports modeled after templates utilized by regulatory accrediting organizations. Provides system support during actual regulatory surveys. Lends expertise for the development of CAPs related to findings identified during the surveys and offers support during implementation of CAPs on an entity level. Shares survey findings and CAPs on a system level to promote awareness. Develops assessment tools and facilitates completion of gap analysis related to finding for all system entities.

• Exhibits high-level of competence related to advanced practices in specialty areas of infection prevention (i.e., high-level disinfection, Sterilization, construction, outbreak investigation, etc.), and provides expert feedback to all Houston Methodist entities. When assigned or instructed, provides oversight for process compliance related to infection prevention practices in specialty area. Facilitates completion of gap analysis and implementation of interventions to improve infection prevention practices.

• Assists in leading initiatives aimed at maintaining or improving data acquisition, analysis, validation, and reporting. Participates in evaluating infection control surveillance software and the integration of the chosen software with the existing electronic medical records system. Works to perform system validation during the initial integration process and conducts periodic validations to ensure ongoing data validity and reliability.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in cost reduction efforts by making recommendations to mitigate risk of infection. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains Certification in Infection Control (CIC) credentials on an on-going basis as required by the job description, and seeks continuing education opportunities to advance his/her knowledge and expertise. Maintains awareness related to new and/or revised infection control guidelines and communicates relevant information to appropriate stakeholders. Facilitates the implementation of new or modified practices to meet changes in guidelines.

• As deemed appropriate, participates in local and national meetings and conferences organized by recognized infectious disease/control societies (i.e., AIPC, SHEA) and brings back information relevant to critical infection prevention practices. Shares information gained at the meetings with IPs and other stakeholders and facilitates transfer of knowledge to front line staff. When approved by leadership, collaborates with other stakeholders to publish outcomes related to improvement initiative at conferences and in nationally/internationally recognized peer reviewed journals.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's or master's degree in nursing, medical technology, microbiology, public health or another related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years of experience in an acute care setting; may consider HM employee with four years of experience who demonstrates progressive responsibilities

• Experience in participating in a lead role on multidisciplinary improvement initiatives

• Three years of experience in infection control required; experience on a system level preferred