RN Infection Prevention - OQE Infection Prevention

Description

The Infection Preventionist is an independently functioning nurse with exceptional knowledge in infection prevention and hospital epidemiology. They participate in activities related to the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in patients, healthcare personnel and visitors.

Our team's mission is to promote a safe and healthy environment through the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in patients and the transmission of infectious diseases among patients, personnel, and visitors, and to contribute to infection prevention research to guide evidence-based practices. We approach all infection prevention activities using a multidisciplinary approach through our integrated team that has expertise in hospital epidemiology, infection prevention, quality improvement, informatics, advanced epidemiologic and statistical methods, advanced microbiologic methods, and compliance monitoring and coaching.

We believe success in our mission starts with an amazing team. Infection prevention teammates demonstrate our values every day. We learn a lot from our healthcare personnel, patients and each other and are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Why work at UNCMC Infection Prevention?

*We impact people and care about people everyday

*We are committed to an equitable and inclusive workplace

*We are a community that builds camaraderie across the departments we support

*Teammate feedback has led to improved workflows and an inclusive workplace environment

*We have FUN - including during and after work-sponsored social events

This position is full time, 40 hours per week, with some on call required

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary:
The Infection Prevention Nurse is an independently functioning nurse with exceptional knowledge in infection control and hospital epidemiology. They participates in activities related to the prevention and control of nosocomial infections in patients, employees and visitors.

Responsibilities:
1. Consultation - Serves as consultant/liaison with hospital departments, hospital committees (e.g., Infection Control Committee, Pet Visitation), CQI teams, area health departments. Prepares, reviews and initiates infection control policies as assigned
2. Education - Serves as an educator by developing educational programs and materials for hospital employees regarding infection control policies. Participates in continuing education activities at the department, hospital, state and national level
3. Exposure Work-Up - Evaluates communicable disease exposures within the hospital complex to contain infectious diseases and prevent disease transmission to patients and employees.
4. Investigational Studies--May monitor construction activities to ensure infection control measures are implemented and continued during renovation and construction activities. Participates in the review of hospital construction and renovations to ensure that infection control issues are addressed
5. Outbreak Investigation ? Participates in the evaluation of nosocomial infection outbreaks to detect causes and formulate solutions to improve patient outcomes
6. Quality Assessment? Evaluates new equipment and products to ensure provision of elements necessary to prevent the spread of infection and for adequate disinfections. Performs quality control activities to evaluate the effectiveness of written communication and educational activities related to infection control and established guidelines for antibiotic usage.
7. Surveillance ? Performs ward surveillance, monitors patient isolation/precautions and medical records to determine health care associated infections in order to establish baseline infection rates, detect changing patterns or problems requiring action, communicate pertinent observations to those responsible for patient care, and identify epidemics, clusters of infections, infections due to unusual pathogens.

Other information:
Education Requirements:
* Graduation from a state-accredited school of professional nursing
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
* Licensed to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state of North Carolina.
Professional Experience Requirements:
* Three (3) years of experience in either patient care, infection control, occupational safety or ergonomics.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: OQE - Infection Prevention

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Salary Range:$33.37 - $47.97 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: Yes

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.