Purpose Statement / Position Summary

This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of Saddleback Medical Center and Orange Coast Medical Center. It is expected that the employee demonstrate behavior consistent with our core values: Integrity, Accountability, Best Practices, Compassion and Synergy. The employee shall support MemorialCare Medical Centers’ strategic plan and participate in and advocate performance improvement/patient safety activities.

The Infection Control Practitioner (ICP) position works conducts infection prevention activities for both Saddleback and Orange Coast Medical Centers.  The ICP is primarily responsible for the activities aimed at preventing healthcare associated infections (HAIs), ensuring proper Infection Control precautions are in place, and compliance with infection control standards.  In collaboration with the Infection Prevention Managers, the Infection Control Practitioner is accountable for the development, implementation, management, and operation of the infection prevention programs.  The ICP conducts rounds, monitors infection prevention practices, collects data, maintains accurate records of HAIs, submit data internally/externally, and trains staff on infection prevention practices.  The ICP ensures that the facilities follow all federal and state regulations, CDC guidelines, and quality/safety standards to reduce the risks associated with hospital and community acquired diseases for our patients across the care continuum.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities of the Job

1. Implements effective infection prevention and control surveillance plan that reflects the need of the organization and the community served.
2. Assists Infection Prevention Program Manager with program oversight and ensures compliance with program and medical center policies, protocols and guidelines.
3. Uploads and imports data into various internal and external databases in a timely, accurate, and reliable manner.
4. Maintain current knowledge of CDC, OSHA, and local/state/federal regulations to ensure compliance with infection control or standard/universal precautions.
5. Creates and implements reports, methods, and procedures to improve function, analysis and monitoring of performance
6. In a timely, accurate, and reliable manner, is responsible to upload and import data into various internal and external databases.
7. Creates and implements reports, methods and procedures to improve function, analysis and monitoring of performance.
8. Accountable for surveillance of healthcare-acquired and community-acquired infections.
9. Make written and oral reports/recommendations, as necessary/required, concerning the infection control program of this facility.
10. Conduct outbreak investigations.
11. Assess the need for, develop, and present infection prevention and control education as needed.
12. Enforce compliance with hospital infection prevention and control policies during rounding and compliance audits.
13. Ability to be at work and be on time
14. Ability to follow company policies, procedures and directives
15. Ability to interact in a positive and constructive manner
16. Ability to prioritize and multitask

Essential Job Outcomes

1. Performs surveillance and reporting of healthcare-associated infections and collaborates with staff to promote safe infection prevention and control practices.
2. Serves as an Infection Prevention and Performance Improvement representative in workgroups, teams, and committees.
3. Collaborates with the Infection Prevention Program Manager on the Infection Prevention plan, evaluation, policies, and educational offerings.
4. Extracts, downloads, uploads, and imports data from medical records to report to internal and external databases.
5. Maintains knowledge of current infection prevention best practices and Federal, State and Local regulations to ensure compliance.
6. Other duties as assigned.