Hennepin Healthcare is an integrated system of care that includes HCMC, a nationally recognized Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and acute care hospital, as well as a clinic system with primary care clinics located in Minneapolis and across Hennepin County. The comprehensive healthcare system includes a 473-bed academic medical center, a large outpatient Clinic & Specialty Center, and a network of clinics in the North Loop, Whittier, and East Lake Street neighborhoods of Minneapolis, and in the suburban communities of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Richfield, and St. Anthony Village. Hennepin Healthcare has a large psychiatric program, home care, and operates a research institute, philanthropic foundation, and Hennepin EMS. The system is operated by Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., a subsidiary corporation of Hennepin County.

Equal Employment Opportunities: We believe equity is essential for optimal health outcomes and are committed to achieve optimal health for all by actively eliminating barriers due to racism, poverty, gender identity, and other determinants of health. We are committed to equitable care and working in an environment that celebrates, promotes, and protects diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to bringing in individuals with new cultural perspectives to assist in creating a more equitable healthcare organization.

SUMMARY:

We are currently seeking a full time Infection Preventionist to join our Infection Prevention team. This full-time role will primarily work on-site (days/on call).

Purpose of this position: Works with the infection prevention manager, the hospital epidemiologist, and all Hennepin Healthcare System (HHS) departments in the promotion and application of infection prevention measures to prevent and/or control infections among patients, employees, and visitors. Facilitates compliance with requirements of The Joint Commission (TJC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and others.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prevents and manages infectious agent exposures to health care workers, patients, and the public to prevent the occurrence of health care acquired infections
  • Participates in HHS quality and safety committees and programs as routinely scheduled
  • Acts a consultant on infection prevention issues (isolation for infectious disease, exposure situations, management of outbreaks, emergency preparedness, and construction projects) on a daily basis in accordance with established policy
  • Plans and chairs quality and infection prevention committees and activities as scheduled, according to annual infection prevention plan
  • Manages infection prevention aspects of construction projects, evaluating risks, advising on protocol, performing “infection control risk assessments,” and issuing “infection prevention construction permits” on a regular basis as construction projects are introduced
  • Manages reporting of infectious agents and diseases to the local and state health departments on a daily basis in accordance with established policy
  • Serves as an infection prevention resource to the public and Hennepin County Departments as needed
  • Represents HHS and infection prevention on Advisory Committees (MN Department of Health, Stratis, MN Hospital Association, and others) as scheduled
  • Participates in Emergency Preparedness Preparation for infectious agents. Serves in the Incident Command Center as needed during emergencies or drills
  • Carries the Infection Prevention Department pager in rotation with other infection prevention staff in non-business hours to provide infection prevention resource and support to HHS
• Writes and reviews policies and procedures to create standards and directions for hospital staff
  • Reviews and revises infection prevention and unit infection prevention policies and procedures as needed according to the established time frame
  • Incorporates standards and requirements from regulatory bodies such as The Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, into policies and procedures as needed according to the established protocol
  • Reviews and recommends policies and procedures for external service providers of HHS that have infection prevention implications as needed, according to the established time frame
  • Performs as an expert and consultant in sterilization and disinfection for instruments and equipment used in HHS on a continuous basis
  • Participates in policy and procedure development with Employee Occupational Health and Wellness and Employee Health and Safety
• Keeps current with computer technology to manage all the data collected and utilized by the department
  • Develops and maintains computer databases, manages data, analyzes data, and creates reports on a daily basis in accordance to established policy and current needs
  • Investigates new computer modalities, orders and installs programs on a regular basis as technology develops
• Conducts infection surveillance, analyzes data, prepares reports, presents and distributes results to committees and involved physicians to provide the information that will direct performance improvement activities
  • Performs surveillance activities as planned, prepares and delivers reports to infection prevention committee and involved departments on an ongoing basis according to the established protocol
  • Tracks healthcare worker exposures to tuberculosis, HIV, and hepatitis and analyzes the exposure situation to determine preventative measures on a daily basis in accordance with established policy
  • Implements strategies to influence practices and behavior (developing and delivering training) as scheduled and as needed on an ongoing basis
• Develops and delivers creative, mandatory, and elective infection prevention competency based educational sessions (delivered in a variety of formats i.e. lecture, computer based learning, independent learning packets) to educate hospital staff, visitors, and the public on infection prevention issues and policy
  • Plans, develops, and delivers required training and other education as scheduled
  • Participates in educational planning with nursing and other departments
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in nursing (BAN or BSN), clinical microbiology, or related field
• A minimum of four (4) years of professional experience in nursing, microbiology, or related field

-OR-

• An approved equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• APIC Infection Control and Epidemiology course
• Experience in infection prevention in a hospital or health epidemiology
• Certification from the Board of Infection Control within 2 years of hire

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

• Computer skills in Word, Excel, Access
• Public speaking skills

License/Certifications:

• Registered nurses must have current licensure by the State of Minnesota Board of Nursing

You've made the right choice in considering Hennepin Healthcare for your employment. We offer a wealth of opportunities for individuals who want to make an impact in our patients' lives. We are dedicated to providing Equal Employment Opportunities to both current and prospective employees. We are driven to connect talented individuals with life-changing career opportunities, enabling you to provide exceptional care without exception. Thank you for considering Hennepin Healthcare as a future employer.

Please Note: Offers of employment from Hennepin Healthcare are conditional and contingent upon successful clearance of all background checks and pre-employment requirements.