Infection Control Specialist
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: TJ95
Class Code: 8201
Established: 10/17/1989
Revised: --
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under direction to develop, implement and administer facility-wide systems for the prevention and control of infection and disease; to assure compliance with regulations governing infection control; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Identify need for, plan, develop, implement and monitor infection control systems through surveillance of patients, employees and environment; through evaluation of medical, nursing, dietary, food handling, sanitation, laundry and waste disposal practices, and review of statistical, laboratory or medical records or reports; compile and analyze data to determine and solve problems; maintain knowledge of health regulations, infection control practices, procedures and theories; regularly examine infection control policies, procedures and practices; advise Infection Control Committee and appropriate department heads of changes in laws and advances in medical knowledge related to communicable disease and infection control; in conjunction with Infection Control Committee, develop/update criteria and procedural changes; evaluate change to ensure consistency with standards recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and compliance with regulatory agencies; establish and maintain related policies and procedures; investigate infection control complaints and problems and take appropriate action; advise management of outbreaks to prevent spread of infection through epidemiological investigation and consult with local, State and Federal agencies in reporting diseases; provide training and education through seminars, in service and orientation or through dissemination of information to department managers and employees; participate in implementation of Quality Assurance, Health and Safety, Risk Management and Utilization Management Programs; and attend related committee meetings.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid license to practice as a professional registered nurse in the State of California. and Education: Possession of a Master's Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Epidemiology or a closely related field. (A bachelor's degree and two additional years of specialized experience may be substituted for the master's degree.) and Either I Experience: Two years of experience as a staff nurse in an acute setting, with at least one year in infection control/epidemiology.
Or II
Experience: Two years of experience in a generalized public health program.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Basic components of an effective Infection Control Program designed to prevent and control nosocomial infections in health care facilities; epidemiological principles and statistical methods relevant to infection control; basic principles of clinical and environmental microbiology in the prevention and control of infection among patients, employees and visitors; causes of infectious diseases, modes of transmission and effective prevention and control measures; basic principles of sterilization, disinfection and sanitation; local, State and Federal regulations regarding infectious waste; infection risks related to patient care practices involving invasive procedures, equipment, therapeutic and diagnostic measures and treatment modalities; employee health program to prevent and control infections; current immunization recommendations for infection control; required communicable disease reporting; and current trends in infection control.
Ability to: Work effectively with others; communicate effectively; assess effectiveness of the Infection Control Program; develop policies and procedures for infection control; evaluate products for use in health care facility from infection control viewpoint; teach related educational programs; identify patients at increased risk of infection and infection risk potential associated with procedures and equipment; conduct special studies related to infection control and be a resource person in infection control for administration, medical, nursing and ancillary departments.
