Covenant Health

Infection Preventionist LPN

Part Time, 48 Hours Per Pay Period, Day Shift

Covenant Health Overview:

Covenant Health is the region’s top-performing healthcare network with 10 hospitals, outpatient and specialty services, and Covenant Medical Group, our area’s fastest-growing physician practice division. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer. Our more than 11,000 employees, volunteers, and 1,500 affiliated physicians are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the more than two million patients and families we serve every year. Covenant Health is the only healthcare system in East Tennessee to be named a Forbes “Best Employer” seven times. 

Position Summary:

The Infection Preventionist (IP) LPN assists with the evaluation of the quality of patient care and patient outcomes as they relate to healthcare-associated infections for the entire healthcare system. This role reports to the system manager of infection prevention and the system VP of Quality and Patient Safety. The IP LPN efforts impact all hospital departments, services, and disciplines in preventing harm related to infections and reducing costs. The IP LPN conducts routine systematic surveillance; collects, prepares, and analyzes healthcare-associated infection data; presents infection data and makes recommendations for actions; monitors employee compliance in use of personal protective equipment and environmental controls; prepares and presents educational offerings for staff; serves as a resource to all departments and personnel; implements programs to protect the healthcare workers, visitors, and others in the healthcare environment; provides internal and external reporting of information and data; and promotes compliance with regulations, guidelines, and accreditation requirements. The IP LPN collaborates with leadership, teams, and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies. The IP LPN contributes to the facility Emergency Preparedness team and various other teams as a valued content expert member

Recruiter: Kathleen Rice || kkarnes@covhlth.com || 865-374-5386

• Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the organizational infection prevention program.
• Assists in the development of an annual surveillance plan based on the population(s) served, services provided, and analysis of surveillance data. Utilizes epidemiologic principles to assist with conducting surveillance and investigations. Assists in the evaluation and modification of the surveillance plan as necessary.
• Assists in the development, interpretation, and implementation of infection prevention and control policies and protocols.
• Assists with the communication of infection prevention, control information, and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization as assigned.
• Assists with the creation of educational goals, objectives, and strategies using learning principles and available educational tools and technology and the evaluation of the effectiveness of educational programs and learner outcomes.
• Complies with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels. Assists with the facilitation of compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. Stays current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Utilizes PI methodology as a means of enacting change. Assists with defining the scope of the project and selecting appropriate PI tools to aid in efficiency, reliability, and effectiveness and ensures sustainability of the initiative. Ensures that customer needs and expectations are considered in the development of and continuous improvement of processes, products, and services. Assists with monitoring and analyzing process and outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability. Participates in PI committees, teams, and initiatives as indicated.
• Assists with providing consultative assistance of occupational health policies and procedures related to IPC as needed. Assists with the assessing of risk of occupational exposures to infectious disease. In consultation, assists with development of rates and trends of occupational exposures and the development of immunization and screening programs. Assists with the application of work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable disease or following an exposure in conjunction with Occupational Health team.
• Pursues professional growth and development of required knowledge and skills. Maintains licensure requirements and pursues certification. Establishes at least one (1) professional goal per year. Participates in an infection prevention and control professional organization/association (i.e.: APIC).
• Advocates for patient safety, health worker safety, and safe practices. Consults and collaborates, as needed, with local, state, and federal public health officials and community health organizations. Assists with the involvement of multidisciplinary teams to ensure changes are vetted by all stakeholder groups.
• Routinely interacts with personnel from nearly all departments, especially those departments which provide direct or indirect patient care or whose responsibilities impact on materials utilized by patients. Assists the active members of the construction and renovations process to validate that all Infection Prevention measures are in place to prevent infections related to construction/renovation activities.
• Utilizes principles of influence, leadership, and change management. Brings enthusiasm, creativity, and innovation to practice. Works collaboratively with others, providing direction when necessary.
• Readily shares knowledge and expertise. Contributes to the development of less-experienced healthcare providers through education and mentorship.
• Assists with the preparation and deliverance of infection prevention presentations to external groups.Serves as a community resource and routinely interacts with outside individuals from varied patient care and public health disciplines who seek information, advice, or guidance in solving problems related to the control of infections.
• Assists with evaluating (critically) research and evidence-based practices and incorporating appropriate findings into routine practice. Assists with integrating evidence-based practices into policies, guidelines, protocols, and educational strategies.
• Assists with the identification of barriers for implementation and develops strategies to minimize or remove barriers. Assists with the implementation of strategies to sustain efforts such as audit of tools and meaningful feedback.
• Maintains familiarity with infection prevention software and other technology. Assists with the collaboration with IT to create meaningful electronic reports to enhance infection prevention initiatives.
• Assists with the consideration the financial/safety implications and clinical outcomes when making recommendations, evaluating technology and products, and developing policies and procedures.
• Uses a systematic approach to evaluate costs, benefits, and efficacy. Incorporates fiscal assessments into program evaluations and/or reports as requested. Assists with developing and maintaining departmental budgets as requested.
• Participates in product evaluation teams as requested.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:           

None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.

Minimum Experience:         

Two (2) years clinical experience is preferred.

Licensure Requirement:      

Must have and maintain an LPN license in State of Tennessee. CIC certification by Certificate Board of Infection Prevention Control and Epidemiology is preferred.