Employment Type:Full timeShift:Description:POSITION PURPOSEParticipates in the development, implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of the surveillance, prevention and control of infection (SPCI) program for the Health System. Major goals of the program which the IPCS supports include 1) Surveillance for health care-associated infections (HAIs) as a basis for identifying significant risks, analysis of this data, and develop appropriate response to improve performance, 2) integration of infection prevention in the System’s patient safety & performance improvement programs, 3) risk assessment and mitigation of cross transmission of microorganisms, 4) application of epidemiologic principles to reduce and prevent health care-associated infections (HAIs), 5) implementation of infection prevention & control processes – including the environment of care, 6) education and collaboration with organizational leadership, care providers, and support personnel on their roles and responsibilities for infection prevention, 7) liaison with community partners external to the System, and 8) planning and preparedness for response to emerging diseases and infectious disease emergenciesESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIESEpidemiologic MethodsUtilize computer-based software, electronic information systems, potential error reporting systems, etc., to assist with identification of HAIs or identify other possible safety problems. Design, collect, analyze, manage and report findings from surveillance to appropriate personnel and departments to lower frequency and ultimately prevent HAIs. The scope of this activity should encompass all facilities and health services to include but not limited to ambulatory care, employed physician practices, and Home Care & Hospice. Apply findings from surveillance to assess effectiveness of the SPCI & Patient Safety Programs and measure the impact of infection prevention and related performance improvement initiatives. Investigate, report and respond to increasing frequency, clusters, sentinel events, or outbreaks of HAI(s) and other communicable diseases.Education, Training & Consultation for Healthcare Personnel, Patients & Visitors:Develops and conducts education programs and other information including but not limited to printed and electronic involving prevention of infection. Specific education includes but is not limited to orientation to infection prevention & control, aseptic technique, standard & transmission-based precautions, immunization, sharps injury prevention, hand hygiene, and equipment and environmental cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization. Apply critical thinking skills, risk assessment, and scientific evidence to enhance infection prevention and patient care practices.Performance Improvement, Communications, & Representation:Develops, reviews, evaluates, implements and revises System policies, procedures, and work practices that are consistent with scientific evidence and/or guidelines – as applicable- and which are based on risk assessment for the System and overall goals of the SPCI program. Assures integration and collaboration of infection prevention with the System’s overall patient safety / performance improvement program. Provide consultation and or education for healthcare personnel on potential and identified infection control problems. Distribute findings from surveillance and other activities, policies/procedures, guidelines, etc. and make recommendations to appropriate individuals, committees, departments, and units Provide consultation to organizational leadership, risk management, other committees, and department leadership on issues relating to infection prevention and control Serve on committees, collaborative quality improvement practice teams, etc., such as Patient Safety Leadership, Practice Councils, and System Safety to facilitate communication and integration of infection prevention and control practices. Advises System on acquisition, safe and effective use of patient care products and equipment. Participates in notification and response to product recalls, public health advisories, and other issues related to diseases or possible infection control problems in the community served.Regulatory, Accreditation, Licensing, and Public Health Support Functions:Facilitates reports of communicable diseases and other conditions to public health agencies and serves as a liaison to public health on behalf of the System. Serves as liaison and support activities of external organizations such as local and state public health, and regional and local emergency preparedness agencies. Support adherence by personnel and facilities with regulatory, licensure and accreditation requirements involving infection prevention and control. Serve and support Disaster preparedness planning and response involving infectious disease emergencies and participate in activation of the Healthcare Incident Command system (HICS) as needed. Participate in hazard vulnerability analysis and response plans for potential emergencies. Participate in proactive infection control risk assessment and provide infection control risk mitigation recommendations involving the environment of care (EOC) to include planning, design, renovation and new construction of facilities and areas plus response to problems impacting the safety of the EOC for patients, personnel and visitors.Employee Health:Collaborate with Employee Health Services on pre-employment assessment, immunization practices, work restrictions. Provide consultation to EHS and personnel involving possible and known exposure to infectious diseases and post-exposure management. Support identification, evaluation, and acquisition of sharps injury prevention equipment. Assist with analysis of trends on occupational exposure incidents and support strategies to improve personnel safety. Provide recommendations on safe use and related environmental controls for chemical disinfectants, hand hygiene products, and other equipment needed for patient care such as endoscope reprocessor and sterilizers.Mission, Vision, and Values:Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution. Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, colleagues, and visitors to St. Joseph Mercy Health. Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places. Behaves in accordance with the Code of Conduct, Service Excellence Standards, and the Mission, Vision, Values and policies of SJMH. Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIESPerforms other duties as assigned.REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATION/LICENSUREEducation: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Medical Technology, or other health science. Master of Public Health or other health related field preferred.Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in healthcare facility; infection prevention & control experience preferred.Certification/Licensure: Current State of Michigan RN license for incumbents with BSN. Certification in Infection Control & Epidemiology (CIC). Must obtain CIC within 2 years of becoming eligible.REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIESKnowledge and experience with adult education Familiarity with and skill using software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.Our Commitment to Diversity and InclusionTrinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.Our Commitment to Diversity and InclusionTrinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.EOE including disability/veteran
