INFECTION PREVENTIONIST-SPH (NORTH CENTRAL AL REGION)

INFECTION PREVENTIONIST-SPH (NORTH CENTRAL AL REGION)

This position will be assigned to the North Central region of Alabama and will support nursing homes and dialysis facilities within the assigned region to assist the facilities in building and maintaining the infection prevention infrastructure necessary to support resident, visitor, and facility healthcare personnel safety.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct an on-site infection control assessment (ICAR) at participating LTC facilities and create a feedback report following the assessment to be sent back to the facility
• To provide consultation to LTC facilities during an outbreak or cluster of infection investigations. Monitors analyzes and interprets bacteriology reports and infection statistics and recommends appropriate control measures to prevent the dissemination of resistant microorganisms and pathogens. Communicates and investigates potential patient exposures and maintains records of the investigation
• Offer training and technical assistance (in-person or remote) to nursing facilities and long-term care facilities to support the effective implementation of practices to prevent transmission of infectious agents and/or to support clinical services during infectious disease outbreaks
• Conduct outreach to engage with individual nursing homes and long-term care (LTC) facilities across the state to identify willingness to participate in the ICAR assessment, address issues of hesitancy, and develop plans for outreach and site visits
• Participates in ongoing infection prevention continuing educational programs for employees, including SARS-CoV-2, TB, and HIV/Hep/Universal Precautions (and other topics as needed to support LTC facility IPC activities
• Communicates frequently with local public health departments
• Performs other duties as assigned

Note: This position will work remotely; however, travel to Long-Term Care facilities within the Public Health District(s) to conduct in-person site visits and assist with outbreak investigations is required.

Salary Range : $62,355 - $101,325

Qualifications

Associate's degree in Nursing and seven (7) years of broad RN experience across critical care, emergency medicine, and medical/surgical nursing, OR a bachelor's degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, Microbiology, Public Health or a closely related field and five (5) years of related experience is required. Previous experience working with long-term care facilities is preferred. Work experience may

NOT substitute for education requirement.

Must obtain and maintain certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) within three (3) years of hire. Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) is required or should be obtained within 30 days of employment.



Preferred Additional Qualifications:

Master's Degree in nursing, epidemiology public health or related field. - At least three years experience in healthcare and/or public health infection prevention role - Five years of relevant experience for non-nurse applicants. Membership in either APIC (Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) or SHEA (Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America - we provide this)

• Computer skills, research, and basic statistical knowledge
• Demonstrated experience effectively communicating with others, verbally and in writing, including the use of e-mail systems and the development of complex, clinical, or technical documents
• License - Nurses must maintain an unencumbered Alabama nursing license

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity, and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.