Associate Infection Preventionist

At MD Anderson Cancer Center , patient safety and quality care are at the core of everything we do. As an Associate Infection Preventionist in the Department of Infection Control , you'll play a critical role in safeguarding patients, staff, and visitors by supporting the development and implementation of evidence-based infection prevention practices. In this role, you'll collaborate with experienced Infection Preventionists to conduct hospital-acquired infection surveillance, analyze data, inspect patient care environments, and recommend control measures that uphold the highest standards of safety and compliance. Your work will help prevent healthcare-associated infections and strengthen the systems that protect some of the most vulnerable patients in the world.

MD Anderson also supports your personal and professional well-being with a comprehensive benefits package , including paid medical benefits, generous paid time off, retirement plans, and more . Join a world-class institution where your diligence, analytical skills, and commitment to excellence contribute directly to advancing our mission to end cancer and promote a safer, healthier care environment for all.

**The ideal candidate will have a masters degree & be CIC certified** The hours for this position are Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

SUMMARY

The Associate Infection Preventionist (AIP) is responsible for ensuring work practices are carried out following regulatory standards and evidence-based guidelines and best practices for infection control in order to minimize the potential risk of infection. Additionally, this position will perform specimen sequencing of collected specimens.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Hospital-Acquired Infection Surveillance

• Has knowledge of and is able to follow established Infection Prevention procedures to identify and report on hospital-acquired infections (HAI)
• Conducts case surveillance for HAI under the mentorship of experienced Infection Preventionists
• Must be able to communicate and present data to the team, committee meetings, and at stakeholder meetings with direction from Infection Control leadership.

Conducts and performs surveillance

• Works with Infection Control leaders to develops surveillance programs, which incorporate reviews of patient charts and reports to identify nosocomial infections, clusters and communicable diseases.
• Successfully conducts and performs surveillance to collect, analyze, and report infection data in alignment with the surveillance program.
• Performs patient assessments to establish the level of patient care practices and infectious potential.
• Recognizes unusual infections and clusters of infections exceeding endemic conditions and has a working knowledge of known environmental problems that could be detrimental to our patient population.
• Inspects patient care areas as required to ensure compliance with established guidelines (CDC, etc.) and regulatory agencies.
• Analyzes special patient care studies of Infection Control interest and recommends control measures with guidance from Infection Control leaders.
• Maintains a flexible schedule to accommodate in-service educational needs of various departments.
• Must be able to identify problems related to job assignment, utilize experience, training, and education.
• Ensures the development, implementation, and adherence to departmental and institutional policies.

Liaison between patient care-related departments

• Acts as liaison between patient care related departments including the HALs, Chief Infection Control Officer, Director of Infection Control, Infection Control Committee and other committees as required.
• Collaborates with team to partner with Employee Health Services on all communicable disease exposures and hospital outbreaks that directly impact their patient population.
• Protects patients from healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in all MDACC clinical settings.
• Works with team to collaborate with clinicians and administrators improve patient and systems-level outcomes to reduce HAIs and other related adverse events.

EDUCATION

• Required: Bachelor's Degree Health related field.
• Preferred: Master's Degree Public Health, Biostatistics, Nursing or Epidemiology.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Required: 1 year Patient care experience.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Required: CIC - Certified in Infection Control Certification Board of Infection Control or a-IPC - Associate Infection Prevention and Control Associate - Certification Board of Infection Control within 1 Year of start date
• Preferred: RN - Registered Nurse - State Licensure State of Texas Professional Nursing license (RN) or MT - Medical Technologist American Society of Clinical Pathologist Board of Certification (BOC) or Certified Microbiologists-NRCM American Society of Clinical Pathologist Board of Certification (BOC) or Clinical Laboratory Scientist American Society of Clinical Pathologist Board of Certification (BOC).

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, paid time off , retirement , tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 178930
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 67,000
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 83,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 100,000
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Onsite
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes

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