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Infection Preventionist and Control Specialist, Office of Public Health

Infection Preventionist and Control Specialist, Office of Public Health

Summary

The Infectious Disease Epidemiology (IDEpi) Section, within Office of Public Health, Center of Community and Preventive Health, Bureau of Infectious Diseases, is responsible for reducing the occurrence of infectious diseases of public health importance. This Section conducts surveillance activities to detect cases and identify trends and to institute appropriate intervention and follow-up control measures for more than 60 reportable infectious diseases.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed substantial gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) knowledge and practice where healthcare is delivered in the United States. To stop the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, all healthcare personnel need at least a foundational understanding of IPC. With CDC’s Supporting Project Firstline supplement funding, a National Training collaborative for Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control, health departments will help build a foundation of IPC knowledge and a culture of IPC expertise in the healthcare and public health communities, in order to keep healthcare workers, patients, and the healthcare environment safe from COVID-19 and other infectious disease threats.

Four full-time positions will be filled and domiciled at the following Office of Public Health regional offices:

  • Region 6: 5604-B Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA, 71303
  • Region 8: 1650 DeSiard St., Monroe, LA, 71201
  • Region 9: 15481 W. Club Deluxe Rd., Hammond, LA 70403

Positions may be funded through July 2024.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Clinical experience required
  • Possession of a valid Louisiana license or temporary permit to practice professional nursing or a multi-state license issued by a Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC/eNLC) state plus three years of professional nursing experience
  • Certified in Infection Control (CIC) a plus
  • Experience training healthcare personnel and experience in a public health agency preferred
  • Proven success in project management

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct remote and on-site infection control assessments both independently as well as with regional public health staff in response to new and increases cases of novel infectious diseases. Train healthcare professionals on infection control competencies. (75%)

  • Assessment
    • Initiates evaluation and revision of standards of patient care practices according to established nursing care standards with healthcare facilities.
  • Polices & Procedures
    • Assists healthcare facilities in developing and updating infection control policies and procedures manuals.
    •  Writes infection control implementation, recommendations, and analysis plans for inpatient and outpatient settings as well as adult residential facilities.
  • Training
    • Conducts research for the development of infection control training courses. Determines needs for in-service training and continuing education courses for professional and non-professional employees. Develops and conducts in-service training and patient education programs, including the production of educational media.
    • Plans and implements effective infection prevention and control education program for healthcare facilities identified with transmission of infectious diseases.
    •  Serves as consultant to infection prevention and control staff on specific educational needs or problems. Presents specific certification programs, e.g., hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, and transmission-based precautions, etc.

Generate facility-specific reports on infection control status and recommendations. Conduct follow up coaching for novel disease containment. (15%)

  • Performs quality assurance controls to ensure that standards of care are being met. Monitors the implementation and quality of patient care.
  • Assist in the supervision of activities in healthcare facilities to ensure that infectious diseases are not transmitted in healthcare facilities.
  • Prepares facility-level infection control plans.
  • Facilitates the reportable disease and syndromic surveillance in healthcare facilities. Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of a surveillance system that tracks hospital and ICU admissions and hospital beds occupied.
  • Provides direct infection control and prevention assistance to nursing homes, other long-term care settings, acute care hospitals, dialysis facilities, and other healthcare settings.
  • Provides infection prevention consultation to public health program clinics, communities, shelters and/or any additional site needed for public health services.

Other Responsibilities (10%)

  • Participate in meetings of the Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI) Program, HAI Program Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee, as well as Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section.
  • Serve as regional infection control staff.
  • Confer with regional medical directors to provide support prevention and disease containment recommendations that protect the health of patients at all levels of care.
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Salary/Benefits

Salary is dependent on education and experience.
A competitive benefits package is offered to all LPHI full-time staff.

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Equal Opportunity Employer