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Infection Preventionist

The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), located in Seattle, Washington, is part of a dynamic collaboration among three organizations known nationally and internationally for their patient care and research: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, and Seattle Children's. Over the past 25 years, these institutions have worked together to support their mission of adult and pediatric oncology patient care services, research and education.

The Infection Prevention Program serves to advance the prevention of healthcare acquired infections through continuous improvement efforts that result in improved quality of care and outcomes for Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) patients. The Infection Prevention team engages leaders, clinical care teams, patients and families in its efforts to proactively identify infection risks and strategies to assure safety for SCCA patients, visitors, providers and staff.

The Infection Prevention Program provides infection prevention surveillance and risk reduction guidance to leaders, staff, and providers at all levels across the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). The program collaborates with partner institutions to align infection preventions strategies, standardizing infection prevention practices for providers, staff and patients crossing multiple sites of care. The Infection Prevention Program woks in collaboration with the Infection Prevention Medical Director in applying healthcare epidemiologic principles and infection prevention strategies to the coordination of the SCCA Infection Prevention program.

Responsibilities

The Infection Preventionist (IP) position oversees surveillance activities and collaborates with other clinic departments to perform environmental assessments for potential infection risks. This position will advise and consult with leaders, providers, staff, and contracted staff on best practice prevention strategies to protect patients, care team members and visitors from risks of contamination or infection.

  • The IP develops and provides education regarding infection prevention practices such as isolation, hand hygiene and proper use of personal protective equipment. The IP also develops and reviews SCCA policies and procedures to insure alignment with the rigorous standards established by the Centers for Disease Control, OSHA, CMS, Joint Commission, Department of Health and other applicable regulatory and accreditation agencies.
  • The IP applies epidemiologic principles and statistical methods to identify target populations, trends and risk factors.
  • Conducts on-going surveillance of infection data. Investigates infection occurrences through review of patient records, laboratory reports and appointment data for possible contributing factors. Performs required documentation of findings and interventions taken.
  • Collaborates with Facilities Engineering Environmental Health and Safety, and Housekeeping to provide ongoing surveillance and assessment of clinic environmental factors such as water supply systems, air quality, room humidity and pressure, and general environmental cleanliness.
  • Collaborates with Occupational Health to support staff exposed to infections at work. Also collaborates to reinforce staff compliance with vaccine requirements to prevent the spread of preventable diseases in the clinic.
  • Conducts IP rounds in all patient care areas and provides consultation to care team members.
  • Participates in investigations of infectious outbreaks utilizing laboratory report available in patient records and other notification systems such as Theradoc.
  • Utilizes institutional health IT platform data (Amalga) to gather infection incidence information necessary for public reports and infection prevention quality improvement efforts.
  • Fulfills public reporting commitments to NHSN/CMS, CDC, and WSHA in the areas of SCCA inpatient infection rates for CLABSI, CAUTI MRSA and C.Difficile.
  • Participates in quality/performance improvement activities by assessing, monitoring, and measuring nosocomial infections and evaluating outcomes on a continuous basis.
  • Insures that the proper authorities are contacted when SCCA patients contract any of the notifiable conditions listed in WAS 246-101-101.
  • Assists in the organization of regularly scheduled infection prevention meetings and dissemination of recommendations.
  • Plans, organizes, develops and implements education programs for staff, patients and families which convey specialized knowledge and skills to increase staff/patient and family awareness of existence of nosocomial infections; techniques for avoidance and preventive measures to provide a safe environment for staff and patients.
  • Participates in continuing educational activities at the department, state and national levels to promote personal growth and maintain a current knowledge base commensurate with latest research and knowledge.
  • Maintains familiarity with national standards and compliance requirements of regulating and accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission, WA State Department of Health, CDC, OSHA, and FDA.


Qualifications

Required:
  • Bachelors degree in Nursing or another healthcare discipline such as Epidemiology, Public Health, Medical Technology or a related field.
  • Knowledge in microbiology and epidemiology; professional certification in infection control (SCCA will support certification within 1-2 years of hire if not currently certified)
  • 3 years of clinical experience in a hospital or ambulatory setting
  • 2-5 years of experience in infection prevention with documented evidence of education and /or training related to infection surveillance, prevention and control
 
Preferred:
  • BSN and WA RN Licensure
  • Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or a related healthcare discipline
  • Certificate in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC)


Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.