JOB TITLE: HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTION PREVENTION SPECIALIST

JOB CODE: 30760

DEFINITION: This is professional administrative and consultative work in the prevention and control of infections in Commonwealth healthcare facilities.

An employee in this job provides expert guidance and consultation in the administration of infection prevention and control programs to prevent healthcare-associated infections and the transmission of communicable diseases between the environment, patients, personnel, and visitors across the continuum of care. Work involves advising healthcare personnel in the development, implementation, and maintenance of infection prevention and control plans, policies, and procedures; consulting with multidisciplinary teams and facility infection prevention staff to develop prevention and control strategies and disease surveillance protocols; and improving the quality of infection-related data reported to state and federal surveillance systems. Work includes analyzing clinical and surveillance data and reports to identify infection prevention and control trends; educating healthcare staff and facilitating infection prevention and control training; interpreting and overseeing the implementation of new or revised regulations, policies, procedures, and standards related to infection prevention and control practices; directing quality assurance and performance improvement assessments to evaluate regulatory compliance and program effectiveness; and developing and overseeing corrective action plans. Work is performed independently and is reviewed by an Epidemiologist Supervisor or higher-level administrator for program effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Provides expertise in developing and maintaining infection prevention and control plans to include policies, procedures, and guidelines for education, training, immunizations, exposure prevention, post-exposure management, medical conditions, work-related illness and work restrictions, and related records maintenance.

• Advises healthcare professionals on developing and maintaining infection prevention and control procedures for identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases.

• Responds to inquiries regarding infection definitions, national and state reporting systems, surveillance, outbreak response and prevention, and other infection prevention and control topics.

• Evaluates facility compliance with federal, state, local, and facility-specific regulations, policies, rules, and procedures for infection prevention, control, surveillance, and reporting.

• Directs facility quality assurance reviews, evaluates infection prevention and control effectiveness, and provides recommendations to improve infection control practices.

• Oversees the design and implementation of processes to monitor for the appropriate use of antibiotics, improve resident/patient antibiotic success rates, and reduce antibiotic resistance.

• Plans, develops, coordinates, and conducts education and training programs regarding infection prevention and control regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.

• Researches and disseminates information on industry best practices, emerging diseases, vaccines, and safety devices and products.

• Coordinates disease surveillance, education, and control measures to ensure that transmission risks and complications of infectious diseases are minimized.

• Provides input and advice regarding changes to existing laws and proposed legislation related to infection prevention and control.

• Monitors and assesses disease surveillance data and develops prevention and mitigation strategies based on the analysis of reports, validation studies, observations, and outcomes.

• Provides consultation regarding circumstances under which facilities must prohibit employees with communicable diseases from having direct contact with residents or patients.

• Leads and participates in workgroups, conferences, and related activities to build infection awareness and contribute to the public health infrastructure.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the practices, methodologies, evidence-based guidance, and techniques of infection prevention and control.

• Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to infection prevention and control.

• Knowledge of data surveillance methodology, National Healthcare Safety Network Patient Safety Component, and federal and state data reporting processes and requirements.

• Knowledge of disease processes, transmission, pathology, signs, and symptoms.

• Knowledge of therapeutic and adverse effects of pharmacological agents, medical treatments, and antimicrobial stewardship.

• Knowledge of infectious disease surveillance systems.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written information.

• Ability to analyze and interpret numerical information.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Three years of professional infection prevention and control experience in a healthcare facility or in public health, and a master’s degree;

or

• Four years of professional infection prevention and control experience in a healthcare facility or in public health, and a bachelor’s degree.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of an active Certified in Infection Control (CIC) certification as issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).