TITLE: Infection Prevention Specialist
REPORTS TO: Task 3 Lead
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
This individual is responsible for identifying, implementing, and managing nursing home quality improvement strategies for infection related topics (e.g. CLABSI, CAUTI, C. Difficile, sepsis, pressure ulcers) including pandemics (e.g. COVID). S/he will assist with emergency preparedness and antibiotic stewardship initiatives. The incumbent will work with senior leadership, direct care and performance improvement professionals in the nursing home, settings to ensure the implementation and ongoing internal monitoring of evidence-based interventions in a timely and effective manner. S/he will also work with professional health care and community based organizations to enlist their support as partners in improving infection related processes. This individual will perform onsite infection control visits, in nursing homes, and generate site visit reports. This supports Precision US Government Contract Unit.
DUTIES:
- Recruit and engage providers and stakeholders to participate in infection control work to improve patient outcomes related to quality and efficiency of care, as well as to meet both contract recruitment and outcome targets.
- Establish and facilitate infection- related learning and action networks with nursing homes via in person meetings, teleconferences, and webinars.
- Provide technical assistance to multi-disciplinary staff on root cause analysis research methods to define opportunities to improve care, including CMS and local data analysis, Medicare beneficiary focus groups, and provider and stakeholder input.
- Develop and continually refine methods for working with health care providers to implement effective and timely interventions that improve performance and patient outcomes.
- Provide ongoing technical assistance and onsite consultation to providers for all aspects of performance improvement targeting improvement in infection prevention.
- Monitor closely the progress of provider intervention efforts and maintains a tracking system for the adopted interventions.
- Ensure internal reports and required CMS documentation are completed and submitted on time.
- Communicate and collaborate with the Lead Team infection preventionists and fellow Team Infection Preventionists.
- Present results of interventions through meetings with internal and external customers (i.e., CMS, Providers, Team management and staff) and through large group presentations at conferences, as requested.
- Assess the quality improvement training and information needs of clinicians, administrative, and ancillary staff and coordinate appropriate educational efforts for these individuals and groups.
- Work closely with the HCQIP data analyst(s) in the design of reports required to monitor provider and department performance, make necessary adjustments in interventions and plan in response to findings.
- Attend and participate in Team regional conferences, department meetings and professional education meetings.
- Participate as an active member of HCQIP team and work to ensure that HCQIP meets all of the CMS defined goals and deliverables.
- Accept new responsibilities in response to changing department needs.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Superior communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to communicate quality improvement data and methods to health care providers and community stakeholders with varying technical and clinical backgrounds.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of health care quality improvement. Experience with quality improvement research techniques and knowledge of disparities in the care of underserved populations.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a proven record of developing productive relationships with health care provider staff, consumers and community stakeholders including business and political leaders.
- Strong time management skills with the ability to multi-task and meet multiple deadlines.
- Proven record of success in promoting improvement in healthcare quality and efficiency.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as in a team environment.
- Ability to travel to provider sites and conferences, as required.
- Computer proficiency with a developed knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project Management Tools, Access and other databases.
- Ability to provide formal and informal presentations to internal staff and external customers.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- A Licensed, Registered Nurse, required.
- A Bachelor’s degree in nursing, required.
- A minimum of two (2) years of related experience inclusive of infection control/prevention experience in a hospital, nursing home, home health or clinician office setting, required, preferred nursing home experience.
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and/or Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC), preferred.