CHI Memorial Hospital now part of CommonSpirit Health formed between Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health is once again the only hospital in the Chattanooga area to be named a Best Regional Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. We are proud to be the regional referral center of choice providing health care throughout Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. We offer the following benefits to support you and your family: On-site childcare with extended hours premium account for additional support with children pets dependent adults and household needs Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family Paid Time Off (PTO) Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Flexible spending accounts Voluntary Protection: Group Accident Critical Illness and Identify Theft Adoption Assistance Tuition Assistance for career growth and development Matching 401(k) and 457(b) Retirement Programs Wellness Program Additional incentives for eligible full time day shift and night shift opportunities
Under the supervision of the Infection Prevention Director, the Infection Prevention Specialist gathers data
and conducts surveillance in hospital to assist in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections for patients,
visitors and staff.
Essential Key Job Responsibilities Has current knowledge of JCAHO, OSHA, and CDC/APIC guidelines. Assesses own learning needs and seeks formal and informal means of meeting these needs to continually improve Infection Control practice. Demonstrates by daily practice knowledge of the Tennessee Nurse Practice Act, the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Memorial Hospital's policies and procedures to support the philosophy, goals andobjectives of the hospital and corporation. Analyses patient data to determine if a nosocomial infection is present. Is able to communicate both verbally and in written form to all levels of hospital management. Develops and provides educational programs for hospital staff based on identified learning needs. Assesses compliance with Infection Control policies/procedures for all departments. Maintains confidentiality of patient, department and hospital related information according to hospital policy. Provides information for the development of quarterly reports within the required time-frame. Complies with all hospital personnel, policies and procedures. Reads and follows through on all posted information. Attends mandatory JCAHO and hospital required inservices and department meetings. PARTICIPATES IN HOSPITAL SURVEILLANCE IN ASSIGNED AREAS. Assesses patient infections daily, by reviewing microbiology reports and looking for nosocomial organisms, isolated sources of infection and admitting diagnoses. Collects data from microbiology reports, patient charts and attending physicians to determine cause of infection(s) and probability of it being hospital acquired. Compares organisms isolated with known nosocomial organisms and likely mode of transmission. Determines risk of contamination for patient, family, visitors and staff. Makes recommendations to Infection Control Coordinator. Collects data from on-site inspections to all the departments, compares results of inspection with Infection Control policies to ascertain compliance, makes report and recommendations to the Infection Control Coordinator and Department Director. Evaluates the daily work load and arranges tasks according to priority and urgency. PARTICIPATES IN THE GENERATION OF INFECTION CONTROL REPORTS. Enters data correctly into the data base for retrieval at report time, and a problems arise, so that trends can be identified and outbreaks can be corrected. Evaluates and gathers required data as necessary to generate Infection Control reports so that changes can be made in hospital practices, if indicated. Assists in the preparation of reports and communicates with hospital employees to obtain information so that meaningful reports can be generated. CONTRIBUTES TO THE EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT. Participates as required on special projects as dictated by pathologists or the Infection Control Coordinator to correct outbreaks through change in behavioral patterns. Develops and provides educational programs for the hospital staff based on identified learning needs. Reviews with the Infection Control Coordinator the needs of the Infection Control area with emphasis on supplies, equipment and personnel. Serves on hospital committees as requested to provide clinical input into the operational activities of the organization. DEMONSTRATES A COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. Assesses own learning needs and seeks formal and information means of meeting these needs to continually improve Infection Control functions. Contributes to the positive learning experience of new employees as assigned and present employees through continuing education sessions. Keeps current in field by reading literature and/or attending seminars. Makes recommendations based on new ideas to increase productivity, efficiency, and quality. Attends department and section meetings with minimum attendance of 80%, as indicated on education sign-in sheet. Conveys knowledge competently in manner consistent with students and employees' needs and abilities in order to stimulate and encourage their interest. Consistently willing to teach, and excels in stimulating and encouraging interest. Graduate of an accredited program. Basic statistics and computer knowledge.
Registered Nurse with State Licensure to practice nursing.
Registered Medical Technologist or Masters degree in Public Health. Training in the Fundamentals of Infection Control.
Able to extract information from the hospital computers, and from the specialized software used for Infection Control. Able to enter
data into the specialized software used for Infection Control. Certification in Infection Prevention preferred, or must become certified 2 yrs after start of this job.
