Job Title: Infection Preventionist

Department: Flatwater Solutions

Reports to: Program Manager

Location: Bellevue, NE

Status: Full-Time Exempt

Salary: $70,00-$80,000 DOE

Summary

Flatwater Inc. is looking to fill this position with the most qualified applicant, Flatwater is a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Inc. the economic development company of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. The Infection Preventionist serves in an advisory and assistance role in support of the Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) at the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue Nebraska. This includes the administration of all elements of the MTF’s IPCP to include all buildings and geographically separated units (GSU) associated with the MTF. This individual shall provide professional IP and technical authority to oversee the MTF’s IPCP and advise senior leadership about program status and any IPC concerns. The IPCP focuses on preventing and controlling infections in patients, staff, visitors and the MTF environment and all administrative duties to track data and document processes.

Essential Functions

• Perform an annual self-inspection to determine if there is sufficient evidence of MTF’s compliance or noncompliance with regulatory standards below. Provides assessment of IPC program to the Infection Prevention and Control Function (IPCF) Chair and shares with IPCF at quarterly meetings.
• Utilizes databases, graphs, and reports to track, trend, and monitor infectious processes and facilitate evidence-based practices.
• Uses Government-provided Information Technology (IT) systems, e.g., Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR), Composite Healthcare Systems (CHCS), etc., to identify infection occurrences, reservoirs, incubation periods, periods of communicability, modes of transmission, signs and symptoms, and susceptibility associated with the disease process.
• Guides the MTF on IPC-related accreditation preparation activities and regulatory readiness. Formulates corrective actions IAW current standards and guidelines.
• Develops and coordinates the annual Infection Prevention and Control Program Plan (IPCPP) based upon the approved ICRA prioritized list. Updates the IPCPP as needed throughout the year.
• Participates in quality/performance improvement (PI) and patient safety (PS) activities related to IPC.
• Advises and collaborates on IPC-related issues with many various staff/groups that include, but are not limited to, IPCF, ECOMS, TJC Environment of Care program (EOC) Committee, Nurse Executive Council (NEC), and Performance Improvement Council.
• Liaises with installation Air Reserve Component (ARC) Medical Units on IPCP management and serves as a conduit to elevate IPC-related issues to MTF leadership. Assists ARC IPC monitor in development of a Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Agreement (MOU/MOA), or Host Tenant Agreement.
• Consults with other MTF IPs, SG IP Consultant and HQ IP (AFMOA) on a regular basis regarding data, trends, and activities.
• Applies epidemiologic principles and statistical methods to break the chain of infection and improve IPC efforts.
• Interprets diagnostic and laboratory reports and advises clinicians on limitations and advantages of types of tests used to diagnose infectious processes.
• Identifies epidemiologically significant organisms for immediate review and investigation and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, county/state public health departments, and when necessary, in consultation with the AF/SG IP Consultant, AFMOA IP and the CDC.
• Identifies indications for environmental and microbiological monitoring.
• Collects and compiles surveillance data from patient care areas and applies current nationally recognized definitions and methodologies to interpret and explain Healthcare Acquired Infection (HAI) data (e.g., Surgical Site Infections (SSIs), Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR), etc.).
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on risk reduction and error prevention strategies to reduce HAIs.
• Interprets and translates data from antibiograms and antibiotic utilization.
• Educates staff on Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs) and on optimal and prudent use of antimicrobials. Coordinates interprofessional effort to improve antimicrobial stewardship through education, surveillance, and evidence-based practices.
• Consults on facility renovations, construction and repair projects, facility modifications, and facility relocations impacting patient care areas.
• Develops a focused ICRA to preplan IPC efforts requiring coordination before any new construction or renovation begins.
• Engages in proactive and reactive analyses in regard to IPC related events; e.g., Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), or other PS initiatives.
• Advises leadership and staff on identifying relevant improvement opportunities and utilizes Performance Improvement (PI) tools; e.g., Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA), Lean Six Sigma, to improve performance and outcomes.
• Develops and implements MTF-wide IPC education and training. Facilitates training for professional and ancillary support staff on IPC topics.
• Instructs patients, families, and visitors about methods to prevent and control infections.
• Maintains knowledge of IPC issues occurring world-wide as provided through valid communication sources (e.g. DHA, CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), APIC).
• Maintains IPC-related files IAW Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 33-363, Management of Records.
• Mission/Emergency/Disaster Management Essential Duties.
• Include emergency preparation and management in the annual ICRA and IPCPP.
• Identify how an influx of infectious patients will be triaged and quarantined.
• Include emergency preparedness in Newcomers’ Orientation and Annual IPC Training. Identify required isolation and personal protective equipment (PPE) use.
• Participate in community-based and/or DoD exercises relevant to IPC disasters/emergencies.

Competencies

• Communication Proficiency.
• Computer Proficiency.
• Leadership
• Learning Orientation.
• Ethical Conduct.
• Collaboration

Supervisory Responsibility

Work Environment

This job operates in a medical facility where there is patient care equipment. Hazardous materials are also present. Exposure to patients' conditions and some unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases is possible.

Physical Demands

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Travel

Experience

• Strong team member, who is committed to the organization’s objectives.
• Maintains a valid Driver’s License and be insurable under company insurance provider/program.
• Proficient computer and keyboard skills to quickly navigate Customer Resource Management software and respond to online leads.
• Minimum of five (5) years of current experience in infection prevention and control performed within the past four (4) years.

Education

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology or Microbiology from a nationally recognized accredited college program.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Security Clearance

AAP/EEO Statement

Other Duties