Infection Control Preventionist Level 3

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America's oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU School of Medicine, the 844-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with its 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. It sees more than 110,000 emergency room visits and 500,000 outpatient visits annually. Bellevue is an academic medical institution of international renown. We have served as an incubator for major innovations in public health, medical science, and medical education. Bellevue is a Level I Trauma Center delivering around-the-clock care in adult, pediatric, psychiatric and pediatric psychiatric emergencies as well as in the nationally-designated categories of cardiology, neurology, toxicology, and neonatology. In addition to providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient state-of-the-art care Bellevue is a city-wide medical specialty referral source. Bellevue's clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU); Comprehensive Children's Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Job Description

Purpose of Position:

The Infection Preventionist is a member of the Infection Control team with special interest, knowledge and experience in epidemiology, microbiology and principles of infection control. She/he works according to the guidelines established by the Infection Control Committee and under the immediate supervision of the Director of Infection Control for administrative purposes. The Infection Control Professional (ICP) participates in the education of hospital staff by utilizing standards and procedures specified by the Infection Control Program and principles of adult education. She/he collaborates with the Hospital Epidemiologist and other members of the Infection Control Surveillance Team in planning and implementing the daily operation of the program. In addition to carrying out the responsibilities of the ICP, she/he provides leadership, guidance and input in planning and implementing the hospital wide infection control program.

Job Responsibilities:
- Shares responsibility and works in close collaboration with the Hospital Epidemiologists in the clinical administrative aspects and daily operations of the total Infection Control Program.
- Participates in the formation of policies, procedures and programs designed to meet the goals and objectives of the Infection Control Program and all hospital departments.
- Participates in the development and revision of infection control policies/procedure manual.
- Evaluates patient care practices for effectiveness and application to infection control.
- Identifies and solves problems related to the implementation of infection prevention and control.
- Participates in special studies relevant to infection control practice.
- Serves as a resource person or consultant in infection control to professional and ancillary staff.
- Prepares data retrieval sheets for computer entry on HAIs.
- Assures the reporting to communicable disease to NYC Department of Health.
- Performs all other tasks as assigned by Supervisor or designee.

Minimum Qualifications

For Appointment to Level I
1. Holds and maintains or obtains within three (3) years of appointment to the position, a Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC); and
2. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in Epidemiology, Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Nursing or a related discipline; and
3. Two (2) years of satisfactory clinical experience or experience working in infection prevention and control, health care epidemiology or a related field in a hospital or a health care setting.
For Appointment to Level II
1. Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Epidemiology, Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Nursing or a related discipline and three (3) years of satisfactory clinical experience or experience working in infection prevention and control, health care epidemiology or a related field in a hospital or a health care setting; or
2. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in disciplines, as listed in #1 above and four (4) years of satisfactory experience, as described in #1 above.
3. Current CIC issued by CBIC can be substituted for two (2) years of qualifying experience. However, all candidates must obtain a CIC issued by CBIC within three (3) years of appointment to the position.
For Appointment to Level III
1. Holds and maintains CIC issued by CBIC; and
2. Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Epidemiology, Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, Nursing or a related discipline and four (4) years of satisfactory clinical experience or experience working in infection prevention and control, health care epidemiology or a related field in a hospital or a health care setting; or
3. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in disciplines, as listed in #2 above; and five (5) years of satisfactory experience, as described in #2 above.

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• Multiple employee discounts programs