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Job Description

Kettering Health is a not-for-profit system of 13 medical centers and more than 120 outpatient facilities serving southwest Ohio. We are committed to transforming the health care experience with high-quality care for every stage of life. Our service-oriented mission is in action every day, whether it’s by providing care in our facilities, training the next generation of health care professionals, or serving others through international outreach.

Job Summary:

• This position serves as the Infection Control Officer (ICO) and as such requires knowledge of epidemiology and application of public health practices in an acute and outpatient care hospital environment with the goal of implementing effective and efficient procedures and policies to combat disease transmission among patients and staff. Conducts scientific research to recommend, implement, and monitor policies and procedures for hospital staff regarding sterilization, disinfection and decontamination of personnel, instruments and equipment. Utilizes organizational resources to act as an advocate for the safe and timely delivery of care with accountability for integrating services that facilitate One Best Practice for patient care related to Infection Prevention and Control issues. Provides support and expert guidance to the facility’s Infection Prevention and Control team for management of the prevention, investigation, monitoring and reporting of the spread of diseases as follows:
• Develops and implements the facility-wide infection surveillance, prevention, and control policies and policies and procedures that adhere to nationally recognized guidelines and standards, including the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).
• Ensures that all documentation of the infection prevention and control program is completed, including the surveillance, prevention, and control activities.
• Communicates and collaborates with the hospital’s QAPI program on infection prevention and control issues.
• Performs routine department rounding to ensure compliance with all infection prevention and control policies and procedures as applicable and shares observations with appropriate leadership teams
• Participates in facility Environment of Care Rounds and documents findings appropriately
• Responsible for approving Infection Control risk assessments for construction projects , weekly rounding, and construction project closeouts in collaboration with the facilities management team · Communicates and collaborates with the facility’s antimicrobial stewardship program.
• Develops competency-based training and education of hospital personnel and staff, including medical staff, and as applicable, personnel providing contracted services in the hospital on the practical applications of infection prevention and control guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Creates/ maintains processes to aid in the prevention and control of HAIs, including auditing of adherence to infection prevention and control policies and procedures by hospital personnel.
• Ensures the maintenance of a sanitary facility environment.
• Develops and implements infection control measures related to hospital personnel for infection control purposes. This includes all hospital staff, contract workers (e.g., agency nurses, housekeeping staff, etc.) and volunteers.
• Mitigates risks associated with patient infections present upon admission
• Mitigates risks contribution to healthcare-associated infections
• Establishes / maintains processes for active surveillance
• Monitors compliance with all policies, procedures, protocols, and other infection control program requirements.
• Evaluates the facility’s infection prevention and control program annually, at minimum, and revises the program when indicated.
• Coordinates as required by law with federal, state and local emergency preparedness and health authorities to address communicable disease threats, bioterrorism, and outbreaks

Job Responsibilities:

• Requires knowledge of epidemiology and application of public health practices in an acute care hospital environment, with the goal of implementing effective and efficient procedures and policies to combat disease transmission among hospital patients and staff.
• Oversight, support and expert guidance to the facility Infection Prevention and Control Teams for management of the prevention, investigation, monitoring and reporting of the spread of diseases.
• Oversite to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulatory requirements related to IPC.
• Oversight for review and revision of Network Infection Control Policies
• Identifies facility policies that should be combined to be Network Policies as well as need for additional policies.
• Identifies opportunities for group or individual IPC education regarding infection control protocols and policies.
• Uses scientific research to recommend, implement and monitor policies and procedures for hospital staff regarding sterilization, disinfection and decontamination of personnel, instruments and equipment.
• Utilizes organizational resources to act as an advocate for the safe and timely delivery of care with accountability for integrating services that facilitate One Best Practice for patient care. Routinely evaluates work process, customer service issues, and job functions to ensure continuous improvement
• Demonstrates willingness and exceptional ability to problem-solve, routine to complex situations
• Is a role model for demonstrating the Standards of Behavior that support KHN values (Trustworthy, Innovative, Caring, Competent and Collaborative)
• Personal “Attitude” – leaves a lasting favorable impression on others
• Personal “Communication” – creates positive encounters with others
• Personal “Trustworthiness” – creates/maintains meaningful/enduring relationships
• Personal “Innovation” – adapts personal actions/responses to advance personal level of service
• Personal “Ownership” – reflects a ready willingness to “Go the Extra Mile”
• Personal “Nurture” – anticipates needs of others and responds in a professional and emotionally supportive manner
• Personal “Sensitivity” – demonstrates a genuine concern and caring for others
• Exhibits a positive response to constructive crtitcism
• Attends Town Hall Meetings (4 meetings = exceeds; 3 meetings = meets)
• Uses medical center resources efficiently

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or related healthcare field (must be completed with in 5 years of hire) if hired after June of 2010 at KHMC all other KH facilities after Jan 2011.
• Master’s degree in nursing or related healthcare field preferred
• Minimum of 1 year of progressive supervisory/leadership experience with demonstrated leadership and management skills
• Maintains competencies and skills of IPC
• Ability to communicate effectively, written and oral
• Ability to evaluate statistical data for use in planning and monitoring outcomes
• Ability to work under stressful situations
• Proven skills in developing high performance teams
• Proven skills in facilitating performance improvement teams to achieve best in class results
• Active Ohio Registered Nursing Licensure or National licensure in Laboratory Science, Epidemiology or other clinical area required.
• Certified Infection Prevention and Control – Upon hire or within 18 months of hire required
• Ensures compliance with the reportable disease requirements of the local/ state/ national health authority.
• Routinely evaluates work processes, customer service issues, and job functions to ensure continuous improvement
• Demonstrates willingness and exceptional ability to problem solve routine to complex situations
• Is a role model for Excellence for Life by demonstrating the Standards of Behavior that support KHN values (trustworthy, innovative, caring, competent and collaborative)
• Personal “Attitude” leaves a lasting favorable impression on others
• Personal “Communication” creates positive encounters with others
• Personal “Trustworthiness” creates/maintains meaningful/enduring relationships
• Personal “Innovation” adapts personal actions/responses to advance personal level of service
• Personal “Ownership” reflects a ready willingness to “Go the Extra Mile”
• Personal “Nurture” anticipates needs of others and responds in a professional and emotionally supportive manner
• Personal “Sensitivity” demonstrates a genuine concern and caring for others
• Exhibits a positive response to constructive criticism
• Attends Town Halls (4 meetings = exceeds; 3 meetings = meets) · Uses medical center resources efficiently

Work Environment:

• Requires travel to all network facilities to complete facility rounds for issue identification, process improvement and standardization projects
• Fast-paced; juggling and prioritizing multiple projects at one time with altered hours to meet job requirements from time to time
• Frequent review and utilization of computer systems to review electronic medical records and development of action plans; research on best practice, etc.
• Frequent formal meetings to present and/or review data that includes guiding teams to develop action plans
• Frequent support to hospital units and service areas where patient care is delivered to provide patient/family/staff education, surveillance, process reviews, performance improvement measures, etc.

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