Job Summary
The Infection Control Specialist is responsible for implementing and monitoring the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program to minimize healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), protect patients, visitors, and healthcare workers, and ensure compliance with organizational policies, national regulations, and international accreditation standards, including CBAHI and JCI.
Key Responsibilities
- Implement the organization's Infection Prevention and Control Program.
- Conduct active surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) using approved surveillance definitions and methodologies.
- Collect, analyze, interpret, and report infection surveillance data and trends.
- Perform routine infection prevention audits in all clinical and non-clinical areas.
- Monitor compliance with hand hygiene, standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, isolation practices, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Participate in the investigation and management of infection outbreaks and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
- Develop, review, and update infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and guidelines based on current evidence and best practices.
- Provide education, orientation, and ongoing training to healthcare workers on infection prevention practices.
- Collaborate with Quality, Patient Safety, Nursing, Medical Staff, Laboratory, Environmental Services, Occupational Health, Sterile Processing, and other departments to improve infection prevention practices.
- Monitor compliance with sterilization, disinfection, environmental cleaning, and medical waste management standards.
- Participate in accreditation activities, regulatory inspections, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual IPC reports and present findings to the Infection Control Committee and hospital leadership.
- Participate in emergency preparedness planning and response to infectious disease outbreaks.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with professional ethics and organizational policies.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology, Epidemiology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, or another related healthcare discipline.
- Current professional license/registration, where applicable.
- Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) is preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of clinical or infection prevention and control experience.
- Experience in a CBAHI- or JCI-accredited healthcare organization is preferred.
Knowledge and Skills
- Thorough knowledge of infection prevention and control principles.
- Familiarity with CBAHI, JCI, CDC, and WHO infection prevention guidelines.
- Knowledge of surveillance methodologies and epidemiological principles.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and educational skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and infection surveillance software.