Infection Preventionist

Position Title:Infection Preventionist

FLSA Status:Exempt

Department:Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) & Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH)

Reports To:Chief Medical Officer

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Infection Preventionist serves as the appointed Infection Preventionist for REHAB, acting as the subject matter expert and operational coordinator responsible for the organization's comprehensive, facility-wide Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) program. This staff-level position reports directly to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and provides a significant level of day-to-day autonomy.

The position co-chairs the Infection Prevention & Control Committee alongside a physician, spearheads performance improvement initiatives, conducts annual risk assessments, and performs Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA). The scope of this role encompasses independent clinical surveillance, education, policy development, and regulatory compliance across three distinct settings: the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, the Outpatient Therapy Clinic(s), and the Ambulatory Provider Clinic(s). Complex clinical concerns and program resource needs are escalated directly to the CMO.

Wage Range: $83,208.32 - $124,812.48/year. The actual wage is dependent on the applicant's relevant experience and qualifications for this position. The wage range for this position may be subject to change in the future depending on a variety of factors such as market conditions, business needs, legal developments, and other appropriate factors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Certification/Licensure:

• Certification in Infection Control (CIC). If not certified upon hire, the candidate must successfully attain the Certification in Infection Control (CIC) within a 24-month period.

• AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification to be obtained before hire date.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN); candidates without a BSN may be considered if, upon review of their qualifications, they are believed to have a combined equivalent of education and experience to meet the demands of the job.

Skills/Experience:

• Minimum of 2–3 years of direct clinical healthcare experience, with at least 1–2 years dedicated to infection prevention and control practices.

• Comprehensive knowledge of CDC/NHSN surveillance definitions, IPC-related OSHA standards, and local/state public health reporting rules.

• Meticulous attention to detail with a proven ability to analyze and report data.

• Proven track record of consistent follow-up on corrective action plans, audit deficiencies, and isolation protocol adherence across all clinical shifts.

• Exceptional ability to collaborate with other departments and key stakeholders (including the CMO, nursing department, therapy department, facilities department, clinic managers) to drive facility-wide compliance.

• Demonstrated knowledge/experience conducting Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA) for facility construction, renovation, or maintenance projects. 

• Strong autonomous working style with proven ability to manage time, prioritize daily surveillance across multiple physical locations, and lead single-person operations effectively.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to educate diverse teams (physicians, mid-level providers, therapists, nursing, environmental services) and present technical data to leaders  Presentations may include executive leadership and/or board members.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certification in Infection Control (CIC).

• Active, unencumbered state professional licensure (e.g., Registered Nurse) if clinically trained.

• Prior work experience encompassing both acute/post-acute inpatient care and outpatient ambulatory clinic operations.

• Multidisciplinary knowledge spanning inpatient rehab environments, outpatient therapy environments (high equipment turnover), and ambulatory clinic workflows (point-of-care testing, exam room sanitization, and sterile supply storage).

• Proficiency with Google Workspace applications.

• Proficiency with NHSN reporting.

• Proficiency with navigating electronic health records (EHR) and extracting data.

CORE VALUES

Models REHAB’s core values, HEART, in daily actions.  Honesty – Speak and act with truth and respect.  Engagement – Embrace and commit to our mission, vision and values.  Aloha – Serve others with a spirit of kindness and compassion.  Resilience – Rebound and recover with a sense of urgency.  Teamwork – Work together for success.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Surveillance: Conduct daily systematic surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by monitoring lab results, antibiotic logs, and patient records.

• NHSN Administration: Serve as the facility's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Administrator, ensuring timely and accurate data reporting.

• Outbreak Management: Investigate and manage suspected communicable disease outbreaks, coordinating directly with the Chief Medical Officer and public health agencies.

• Antimicrobial Stewardship: Champion the facility's antimicrobial stewardship program in collaboration with medical staff, clinical staff, and pharmacy staff.

• Root Cause Analysis: Perform root cause analysis (RCA) on sentinel infection events or unexpected pathogen spikes to develop actionable mitigation plans.

• Rounding and Audits: Perform routine infection control rounds across all inpatient units, outpatient therapy clinics, and ambulatory medical clinics to verify compliance with hand hygiene, isolation, and waste disposal protocols.

• Equipment Sanitization: Standardize and audit disinfection protocols for multi-patient use equipment, including therapy mats, hydrotherapy and exercise machinery.

• Committee Leadership: Co-chair the Infection Prevention & Control Committee (IPCC), establishing agendas, driving policy reviews, and tracking action items.

• Metric Reporting: Compile, analyze, and report infection data, surveillance metrics, and outcomes to the IPCC, Quality Review Council (QRC), and the Hospital Board.

• Policy Development: Author and update infection prevention policies, procedures, and outbreak management protocols for executive approval.

• Risk Assessments: Perform annual facility-wide IPC risk assessments and conduct site-specific Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA) for maintenance and construction projects.

• Performance Improvement: Design and lead targeted initiatives to improve compliance in areas such as urinary tract infection prevention and equipment sanitation based on facility trends.

• Staff Education: Design and deliver mandatory orientation and ongoing education regarding infection control, bloodborne pathogens, and precautions for all personnel.

• Regulatory Compliance: Monitor changes in CMS, OSHA, and state/accreditation standards, ensuring policies are updated and implemented in a timely manner to maintain continuous compliance.

• Strategic Communication: Collaborate across departments—including facility engineering, therapy, and ambulatory clinics—to translate surveillance data into actionable organizational strategies.

• Temporary Assistance: Provide temporary coverage for essential duties during absences of the Occupational & Environmental Health Coordinator.

PROFESSIONALISM AND COMPLIANCE COMPETENCIES 

Maintain a high level of proficiency in the following REHAB competencies. 

Job Knowledge

Accountability

Communication and interpersonal/relationship building skills 

Adaptability and Problem Solving, Decision Making 

Organization and Project Management

Equipment, Tools, and Work Aids Used

• Office supplies and equipment, including telephone, computer, ten key calculator and multifunction devices (MFDs).  Google’s G Suite, report writer and database software. Records, forms and reports.  Automated systems for data entry, order control and results extraction, reporting and documentation.

• Reference guidelines from the APIC and the CDC.

• Performs other duties as assigned.