POSITION SUMMARY:

The Infection Prevention Coordinator has oversight of the infection control program at the hospital and its campuses under the supervision of the IP Director. This includes management of surveillance, reporting, monitoring and education of all staff involved in these processes.

Essential Functions include (but are not limited to):

• Responsible for development and implementation of Annual Infection Prevention and Control Plan based on recommendations from and approval of Infection Control Committee.
• Reviews, assesses and investigates lab data relative to infection rates, sources, and trends associated with specific objectives as determined by the Infection Prevention Committee.
• Works collaboratively with all hospital departments to develop, maintain, revise and enforce infection prevention policies and procedures.
• Works with Materials Management and all Department Managers to devise more efficient, reliable and cost effective ways to ensure the integrity of infection prevention activities and safety of the patients and staff.
• Responsible for the agenda, Infection Prevention reports and introduction of business at the Infection Prevention Committee meetings.
• Serves as liaison for the Infection Prevention Committee with hospital committees and departments.
• Makes rounds and establishes contact with nursing units, endoscopy, and other departmental staff to determine problem areas, policy compliance and informational needs.
• Participates and supports community education.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Demonstrated skills in organization, verbal and written communications, customer service, math, analysis, reading, following instruction, basic computer usage.
• Acquires and maintains current knowledge and skills in the area of infection prevention, control and epidemiology.
• Demonstrates basic knowledge and advances education, knowledge, and skills as they relate to infection prevention and control, NHSN public reporting and performance improvement.
• Demonstrates ability to set priorities.
• Is knowledgeable of and performs well in stress and emergency situations.
• Collaborates well with other disciplines to identify educational needs and/or provide patient/family education regarding infections and communicable diseases as per hospital policy and procedure.

QUALIFICATIONS:

RN:

• Graduate from an accredited school of Nursing required; BSN preferred
• Florida Registered Nurse (RN) license required (or appropriate compact license)
• 1 year infection control and 3 years clinical nursing experience preferred
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control preferred; or eligible to certify within 2 years of hire
• Prior experience in hospital infection prevention is required at this time

If not an RN:

• Will consider a Bachelor’s degree in medical technology, clinical laboratory science; or a Master's degree in Public Health or Epidemiology
• Appropriate licensure for profession required
• 2 years acute care hospital and Infection Control experience preferred
• Certification in Infection Prevention and Control preferred; or eligible to certify within 2 years of hire
• Prior experience in hospital infection prevention is required at this time

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center is a 257-bed top-performing quality hospital with over 200 of the most highly respected and qualified physicians in the area. It is the only acute care hospital in the TriCounty area that offers open heart surgery, an Advanced Primary Stroke Center accredited by the Joint Commission and an Accredited Chest Pain Center. An affiliate of the UAB Cancer Community Network, Fort Walton offers a Cancer Care Center that is accredited by the Commission on Cancer. Fort Walton Beach Medical Center also provides advanced care for critically ill patients, including cardiovascular and trauma injury care, and emergency services, including a main ER, Pediatric ER and Destin ER. Fort Walton Beach Medical Center is in partnership with Twin Cities Hospital, located in Niceville. We are also the parent company of the Rehabilitation Institute, both located in Destin.