At Houston Methodist, the Senior Infection Preventionist position is responsible for implementing and maintaining the multiple facets of the Infection Control Program at an advanced, subject matter expert level. This position is a liaison between all departments and the Infection Control Committee. The Senior Infection Preventionist position maintains a routine surveillance program of patients, personnel, and the environmental problems that present a real or potential threat to the welfare of patients, visitors, or personnel throughout the institution. This position serves as member of the Infection Control Committee and as a leader of multidisciplinary teams to steer infection prevention improvement projects and trains/mentors less experienced team members. The Senior Infection Preventionist position promotes compliance with accreditation, certification and regulatory requirement.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates with others for the investigation, identification, and, as deemed appropriate, follow-up of contacts who are suspected or confirmed to have been exposed to relevant communicable diseases at Houston Methodist. (This activity shall include the notification of and follow through with the Employee Health Nurse when such contacts have involved Hospital personnel.)

• Leads multidisciplinary teams to develop and/or implement infection prevention improvement projects in collaboration with departments. Utilizes process improvement and quality management methodologies in project development and implementation.

• Serves as a mentor and resource for less experienced staff. Trains new team members and participates in competency assessment.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses nationally recognized definitions and best practice guidelines to maintain a practical surveillance program which incorporates the systematic and current review of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), significant communicable diseases, and environmental events with potential impact to patient, visitor and healthcare provider safety.

• Exercises sound clinical judgment, discretion and initiative when performing medical record audits. Communicates identified quality or risk issues through departmental and hospital chain-of-command.

• Develops and presents instructional material for orientations and continuing education relevant to infection prevention and control throughout the hospital.

• Participates in product selection and provides input relevant to infection prevention. Assists in developing educational materials related to product implementation related to infection control.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Routinely conducts infection prevention process surveillance to identify potential process deficiencies which may impact patient safety and lead to HAIs.

• Recognizes and investigates clusters of infections, communicates the investigation results through appropriate channels, and facilitates the implementation of interventions to prevent future infections. Evaluates group 3 and 4 construction, renovation, and routine maintenance projects according to the Infection Control Risk Assessment process.

• Evaluates (at least annually) and documents the effectiveness of the Infection Control Program Plan. Facilitates (at least annually) the revision of the Infection Control Program Plan to include new goals and measures as deemed appropriate based on a concurrent risk assessment. Develops and revises policies and procedures to meet current practice standards.

• Communicates all pertinent information at timely intervals to the Director of Quality & Outcomes and Medical Director of Infection Control as appropriate. Responsible for reporting mandatory Infections data to the national databases, local health authorities, and other regulatory organizations, as necessary. Maintains patient and physician confidentiality. Takes a lead role in hospital survey preparation and interacts with onsite surveyors with regards to infection prevention initiatives.

• Data mines information and produces statistics and reports in a meaningful way for decision making in support of continued infection prevention.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborates with other departments to monitor use of resources related to infection prevention. Participates in cost reduction efforts by making recommendations to mitigate risk of infection. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitates and coordinates efforts aimed at implementing new standards as required by regulatory and accrediting agencies; including implementation of new or improved policies and procedures related to infection prevention.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development in infection prevention.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Must possess one of the following: Bachelor and/or Master's degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, Microbiology, or Public Health; Bachelor's degree in another related field with previous infection control experience and CIC certification; Bachelor's degree in Microbiology and specialization in clinical microbiology and registry

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years of experience in an acute care or public health setting

• Three years of experience in infection control

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• CIC - Certified in Infection Control (CBIC) AND
• RN - Registered Nurse - Texas State Licensure and/or Compact State Licensure -- if Bachelor degree in Nursing within 60 days OR
• RN-Temp - Registered Nurse - Temporary State Licensure -- if Bachelor degree in Nursing within 60 days AND
• MT - Medical Technologist (ASCP) -- if Bachelor degree in Medical Technology also requires ASCP-MT or Clinical Scientist (CS) AND
• MLS(ASCP) - Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP) -- if Bachelor degree in Medical Technology also requires ASCP-MT or Clinical Scientist (CS)
• M(ASCP) - Technologist in Microbiology (ASCP) -- if Bachelor degree in Microbiology also requires specialization in clinical microbiology and registry

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Competent in Infection Control Practices including Isolation Precautions, hospital surveillance and construction projects

• Maintains current knowledge regarding all laws, regulatory and accreditation standards

• Proficient with computer programs to complete job duties independently

• Demonstrates the ability to work independently with little or no direct supervision

• Strong training, leadership, and mentoring skills

• Knowledge of process improvement and quality management methodologies

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs No
• Business professional Yes
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Houston Methodist The Woodlands opened in 2017 as the eighth hospital in the Houston Methodist system. This 187-bed, 470,000-square-foot, full-service, acute care hospital offers many of the same services as our flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Also on the $380 million hospital campus, located at the intersection of I-45 and TX 242, is a medical office building, which opened in 2016. Medical Office Building 1 includes a breast care center, cancer center & infusion center, orthopedics & sports medicine, rehabilitation services, wellness services, and an outpatient laboratory in addition to multi-specialty physician practices. A second medical office building and 785-car parking garage opened in 2018.