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Duke University Health System

Infection Prevention Specialist

Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27703

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About Duke University Hospital Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of Duke Health's four hospitals with 1,062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Duke Nursing Highlights

Duke University Health System is designated as a Magnet organization

Nurses from each hospital are consistently recognized each year as North Carolina's Great 100 Nurses

Duke University Health System was awarded the American Board of Nursing Specialties Award for Nursing Certification Advocacy

Duke University Health System has more than 6,000 registered nurses

Quality of life: Living in the Triangle

Relocation assistance (based on eligibility)

Infection Prevention Specialist The Infection Prevention Specialist is trained in hospital epidemiology principles and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of hospital-acquired infections (HAI); educating employees about infection prevention; and developing health system policies and procedures to ensure rigorous infection control standards that meet Joint Commission, OSHA, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CDC and other national recommendations.

Responsibilities

Performs, coordinates, and directs the process of surveillance to identify healthcare-acquired infections and other adverse outcomes to ensure safe patient care

Uses the electronic medical record and surveillance system to review clinical and laboratory findings in assigned areas to identify infectious conditions that may require reporting or further action such as the implementation of precautions to prevent organism transmission

Serves as content expert in all infection prevention matters in support of clinical staff, performance improvement teams, and hospital committees

Demonstrates knowledge and application of current regulatory and professional society guidelines

Performs literature reviews to support performance improvement and practice changes

Assesses situations from an infection prevention perspective and recommends appropriate action within scope of responsibility to ensure safe and quality patient care

Rounds in assigned inpatient units, outpatient areas, perioperative areas, and ancillary departments regularly and on an as-needed basis for evaluating compliance with infection prevention practices, policies and regulatory agency requirements

Develops and provides educational programs on infection prevention for all levels of personnel to improve their knowledge base and practice; conducts new employee education on basic principles and practices

Assists in assembling agenda, graphs and materials presented and distributed to the Infection Control Committee, performance improvement teams and others as requested

Participates in epidemiological projects/studies to further infection prevention knowledge

Collaborates on infection prevention academic and professional posters/presentations at local, regional and national conferences and seeks publication in academic/professional journals

Actively seeks professional growth, demonstrates professionalism, and exhibits a good working rapport in all interpersonal interactions with departmental staff, healthcare personnel, contract workers, patients, visitors and community agencies

Maintains current knowledge of infection prevention professional society guidelines, best practices and regulatory requirements by attending conferences and workshops and reviewing current literature

Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Capable of building strong relationships with providers and staff and delivering solutions

A good decision-maker, with proven success at making timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward

Able to work effectively in a complex, quickly changing environment; action-oriented and eager to embrace new opportunities and challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm

Adept at planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals

Effective at building formal and informal networks inside and outside the organization to further departmental and institutional goals

Build partnerships and collaborate with others to meet shared objectives and goals

Effective communicator, capable of determining how best to reach different audiences and executing communications based on that understanding

Gains the support and commitment of others by engaging them around your perspective and priorities

Resilient in recovering from setbacks and skilled at finding detours around obstacles

Adept at learning quickly, applying insights from past efforts to new situations

Flexible in your approach and demeanor in order to align with circumstances

Must participate in on call schedule

Working knowledge of patient care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection and sterilization practices, adult education principles, infectious disease, disease transmission, surveillance techniques, performance measurement and improvement principles, licensing standards and regulations

Computer skills: Excel, PowerPoint, Word and applied knowledge of biostatistics, written and graphical presentation skills

Minimum Qualifications

Education : Bachelor degree in Nursing, Microbiology, Medical Technology, Epidemiology, or Master of Public Health (MPH) required

Experience : Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in acute care hospital or similar required; one year of Infection Prevention experience preferred

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications :

If BSN degree: current or compact RN licensure in North Carolina required

If Medical Technology degree: current generalist/specialty certification by a nationally recognized board/agency required. Must obtain CIC within 2 years of hire if not currently certified

Seniority Level Mid-Senior level

Employment Type Full-time

Job Function Other

Industries Hospitals and Health Care

Essential Physical Job Functions Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

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