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Across UPMC, our guiding principle is to always prioritize the safety of our employees, patients, and members. UPMC believes that vaccination is important, helps protect all, and advocates that everyone who can be vaccinated should be vaccinated.

UPMC complies with all governmental requirements related to local, state, and federal COVID-19 vaccination for employment. The Jan. 13 Supreme Court of the United States decision that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate will move forward requires UPMC to ensure employees either get vaccinated or receive a requested medical or religious exemption.

If you are not yet vaccinated, we urge you to get a vaccine now. You can schedule your COVID-19 vaccination through UPMC or visit a non-UPMC provider or UPMC Urgent Care location.

Proof of vaccination is not required upon hire; however, employees will be responsible for ensuring post-hire compliance by getting vaccinated or requesting a medical or religious exemption.

For more information about UPMC’s response to COVID-19, please visit UPMC.com/coronavirus.

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Sr. Infection Preventionist (Casual)

  • Job ID: 166140061
  • Status: Casual
  • Regular/Temporary: Limited
  • Hours:
  • Shift: Variable
  • Facility: UPMC Altoona
  • Department: Infection Control
  • Location: 620 Howard Avenue, Altoona PA 16601
  • Union Position: No
  • Salary Range: $29.14 to $48.54 / hour

Description

Purpose:
Under the direction of the infection prevention Coordinator/Manager, the Senior Infection Preventionist (IP) will perform surveillance for detection and prevention of infections occurring in the healthcare system. The IP will use an epidemiologic approach to preventing infections throughout the hospital through problem solving, critical thinking, intervention and education. The IP will use advanced epidemiology knowledge and statistical analysis to investigate outbreaks, infection rate calculations and improvement/intervention projects. The IP will use adult education principles to develop and implement infection prevention educational programs. The IP actively leads or participates in goal planning activities, program assessment and development of business cases.


Responsibilities:

  • Acts as liaison with local and state health departments and other healthcare facilities by reporting notifiable diseases and investigating communicable conditions.
  • Effectively communicates and collaborates with interdisciplinary health care professionals, administrators, health system personnel, patients/family members, and local, state and federal regulatory agencies.
  • Maintains advanced knowledge of National Health Safety Network (NHSN) and Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) surveillance definitions.
  • Demonstrates ongoing continuing education by reviewing professional publications and participating in educational programs and professional organization activities.
  • Performs environmental rounding in all areas of the healthcare facility. Reviews regulatory standards (The Joint Commission (TJC), Pennsylvania Department of the Health (PA DOH) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)) related to cleanliness and infection prevention with healthcare workers including, but not limited to, compliance with hand hygiene, transmission-based precautions and environmental service practices.
  • Independently performs surveillance activities using NHSN and PA-PSRS infection definitions for the detection of healthcare acquired infections in the acute and/or long-term care settings.
  • Advanced knowledge of epidemiology and study design to investigate clusters and outbreaks for sources of infection; educate healthcare personnel regarding short and long term control measures and evaluates/monitors the effectiveness of such controls.
  • Serves on the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and represents Hospital Epidemiology on hospital committees requiring Infection Prevention and Control input.
  • Uses a variety of skills and techniques to plan, develop, conduct and document educational programs for hospital personnel and patients/families using age and education level appropriate venues to maintain or enhance knowledge of infection control.
  • Provides infection prevention control input during all phases of construction/renovation activities. Conducts construction/renovation inspections and rounds routinely to ensure compliance with PA DOH requirements and assess for any infection control/safety issues.
  • Oversees Legionella surveillance and coordinates remediation when indicated.

 

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Nursing, Microbiology, Medical Technology, Epidemiology or related field required.

Two years of Infection Prevention or related relevant experience required.

Computer skills required and data management/analysis experience preferred.

Registered Nurses are required to maintain current RN licensure.

Current CIC certification required.


Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

  • Certification in Infection Control
  • Act 34

 

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Individuals hired into this role must comply with UPMC’s COVID vaccination requirements upon beginning employment with UPMC. Refer to the COVID-19 Vaccination Information section at the top of this page to learn more.

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