Infection Preventionist

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Health care is constantly changing, and at Banner Health, we are at the front of that change. We are leading health care to make the experience the best it can be. We want to change the lives of those in our care - and the people who choose to take on this challenge. If changing health care for the better sounds like something you want to be part of, we want to hear from you

Banner Thunderbird Medical Center is a level one trauma hospital. One of the largest hospitals in the state - is annually ranked as one of the top hospitals in the Phoenix metropolitan area by US News & World Report and enjoys a reputation as the preferred provider of care to children and adults in the area in consumer preference surveys.

As an Infection Preventionist you will be part of a strong team that works closely with clinical staff and hospital leaders to promote world class patient care. We actively support our employees as they study for their certification in infection prevention and continuing education. You will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of critical responsibilities, including rounding on the unit, working directly with frontline staff and involvement in construction and remodeling throughout the facility. You will collaborates with the Department leader in all infection prevention related activities associated with surveillance, performance improvement, and education which are intended to ensure that the facility's patients, personnel & visitors will be protected from transmission of diseases & infection within the facility's environment as identified in the core competency model by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC). Schedule is consistent of business hours conducted Monday-Friday.

Your pay and benefits (Total Rewards) are important components of your Journey at Banner Health. Banner Health offers a variety of benefit plans to help you and your family. We provide health and financial security options so you can focus on being the best at what you do and enjoying your life

Nonprofit Banner Thunderbird Medical Center opened its doors in 1983 and has been growing ever since to meet the health care needs of the communities it serves in northwest metropolitan Phoenix. Today, the 555-bed hospital - one of the largest hospitals in the state - is annually ranked as one of the top hospitals in the Phoenix metropolitan area by US News & World Report and enjoys a reputation as the preferred provider of care to children and adults in the area in consumer preference surveys. The tertiary care hospital provides everything from routine to advanced, specialized care to both adult and pediatric patients. Specialized services include cardiology, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, neurosurgery, robotic surgery, stroke care and a women and infants services program. Additionally, in partnership with top-ranked MD Anderson Cancer Center, Banner Thunderbird also offers state-of-the-art cancer care. Banner Thunderbird is certified as a Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center and features a 35-bed Level III neonatal intensive care unit that cares for babies of high-risk pregnancies and those born prematurely. Banner Thunderbird is also home to the only pediatric intensive care unit for seriously ill or injured children in the area. If you would like to contribute to truly leading edge caring, we invite you to bring your experience and skills to Banner Thunderbird.

POSITION SUMMARY
This position assists the supervisor in organizing and directing the activities of the infection control program for all departments throughout a facility or ambulatory setting, including surveillance, infection prevention and control measures, and education for employees.

CORE FUNCTIONS
1. Conducts focused surveillance for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), detects and records HAIs on a systematic and current basis, analyzes HAIs and prepares reports for the Infection Control Committee of the facility or ambulatory setting. Reports communicable diseases as required by regulation.

2. Makes recommendations when problems are identified. Interprets department policies and procedures in conjunction with the supervisor.

3. Interacts with physicians, nurses, department managers, supervisors, and other professional and non-professional staff members as a consultant.

4. Enters data into computer, prepares reports, conducts analytical studies and summarizes surveillance data.

5. Initiates epidemiological investigations of significant clusters of infections and single cases of unusual infection.

6. Assists with continuing infection control education and inservice programs to departments, including orientation for new employees.

7. Reviews and assists with evaluation of hospital policies, procedures and guidelines as they relate to infection control. Assists in writing and revising infection control policies and procedures.

8. Makes recommendations regarding construction, renovation, environmental rounds, and assures compliance with national and/or professional standards.

9. Department responsibility only, although is involved in system-wide infection control activities. Customers are internal: physicians, employees, managers, volunteers, students, patients and external: public health agencies, general public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires a current RN license with BSN preferred, OR Masters in Public Health (MPH), OR certified medical technologist, OR a bachelor's degree in healthcare related field.

Must have a minimum of two years clinical experience in a hospital setting or disease surveillance experience in a public health setting.

Employees working at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital or the Whole Health Clinic must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Association for Practitioners in Infection Control (APIC) training course or equivalent desired. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) is preferred. Computer skills, research and basic statistical knowledge is preferred.

Additional related education and/or experience preferred.