Infection Prevention Specialist at Sanford Health - Sioux Falls, SD

Role Overview

As an Infection Prevention Specialist at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD, you will play a crucial role in safeguarding the health and well-being of our patients, residents, and staff. This position involves working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to develop, implement, and evaluate infection prevention and control programs. Your expertise will contribute to reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and ensuring a safe environment for everyone within our facilities. You will be responsible for surveillance, data analysis, education, and consultation related to infection prevention practices.

A Day in the Life

Your day as an Infection Prevention Specialist will be dynamic and multifaceted. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect: * **Surveillance and Data Analysis:** You will actively monitor healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) within the facility. This involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to identify trends and potential outbreaks. * **Policy and Procedure Development:** You will collaborate with the infection control committee to develop and update infection prevention policies and procedures based on current guidelines and evidence-based practices. * **Education and Training:** Providing education and training to healthcare staff on proper infection control practices, including hand hygiene, isolation precautions, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), is a key aspect of your role. * **Consultation:** You will serve as a resource for healthcare staff, providing guidance and consultation on infection prevention issues, such as outbreak management and environmental cleaning. * **Compliance Monitoring:** Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and accreditation standards related to infection prevention is essential. You will conduct audits and inspections to identify areas for improvement. * **Collaboration:** Working closely with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and environmental services staff, is crucial for effective infection prevention. * **Investigation:** Participating in the investigation of potential outbreaks and implementing control measures to prevent further spread of infection will be a regular part of your duties. * **Reporting:** Preparing and presenting reports on infection rates, trends, and prevention activities to the infection control committee and other stakeholders. * **Performance Improvement:** Identifying opportunities to improve infection prevention practices and participating in performance improvement initiatives. * **Staying Current:** Keeping up-to-date with the latest research, guidelines, and best practices in infection prevention is vital to ensure that our programs are effective.

Why Sioux Falls, South Dakota?

Sioux Falls offers a unique blend of big-city amenities and small-town charm. Here are some reasons why you might love living and working in Sioux Falls: * **Affordable Living:** Compared to many other cities in the United States, Sioux Falls has a relatively low cost of living, making it an attractive place to settle down. * **Strong Job Market:** Sioux Falls has a diverse and growing economy, with opportunities in healthcare, finance, technology, and agriculture. * **Outdoor Recreation:** With its beautiful parks, trails, and rivers, Sioux Falls offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking. * **Arts and Culture:** Sioux Falls has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with museums, theaters, and music venues. * **Family-Friendly:** Sioux Falls is a great place to raise a family, with excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, and plenty of family-friendly activities. * **Friendly Community:** The people of Sioux Falls are known for their friendliness and hospitality, making it easy to feel at home.

Career Path

Sanford Health is committed to providing opportunities for professional growth and development. As an Infection Prevention Specialist, you can advance your career by: * **Obtaining Certification:** Becoming certified in infection control (CIC) demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the field. * **Pursuing Advanced Education:** Earning a master's degree in public health or a related field can open up new opportunities for leadership and research. * **Taking on Leadership Roles:** You can advance to positions such as Infection Prevention Manager or Director, where you will oversee infection prevention programs and lead a team of specialists. * **Specializing in a Specific Area:** You can specialize in a specific area of infection prevention, such as surgical site infections or antimicrobial stewardship. * **Participating in Research:** Contributing to research studies can help advance the field of infection prevention and improve patient outcomes.

Salary and Benefits

Sanford Health offers a competitive salary and benefits package to its employees. The salary range for an Infection Prevention Specialist in Sioux Falls, SD typically falls between $65,000 and $90,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to salary, Sanford Health offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: * **Health Insurance:** Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans are available to employees and their families. * **Retirement Savings:** A 401(k) retirement plan with a company match helps employees save for the future. * **Paid Time Off:** Employees accrue paid time off for vacation, holidays, and sick leave. * **Tuition Reimbursement:** Sanford Health offers tuition reimbursement to employees who wish to pursue further education. * **Employee Assistance Program:** An employee assistance program provides confidential counseling and support services to employees and their families. * **Other Benefits:** Other benefits may include life insurance, disability insurance, and employee discounts.

Sanford Health Culture

Sanford Health is committed to creating a culture of excellence, innovation, and compassion. We value our employees and provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed. Our employees are passionate about providing high-quality care to our patients and residents, and they are committed to making a difference in the lives of others. We encourage teamwork, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We believe that by working together, we can achieve our goals and provide the best possible care to our community.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining the Sanford Health team as an Infection Prevention Specialist, we encourage you to apply online. To apply, please visit our careers website and search for the Infection Prevention Specialist position in Sioux Falls, SD. You will need to create an account and submit your resume and cover letter. Please highlight your relevant experience and qualifications in your application. We look forward to hearing from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. **What are the qualifications for this position?** * A bachelor's degree in nursing, a related clinical field, or a Master of Public Health is preferred. Two years of experience in a healthcare setting is required, and certification in infection control (CIC) is required for acute care settings or must be obtained within a specified timeframe. 2. **What are the key responsibilities of an Infection Prevention Specialist?** * Key responsibilities include surveillance of healthcare-associated infections, data analysis, policy and procedure development, education and training, consultation, compliance monitoring, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. 3. **What is the salary range for this position?** * The typical salary range for an Infection Prevention Specialist in Sioux Falls, SD is between $65,000 and $90,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications. 4. **What benefits does Sanford Health offer?** * Sanford Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement savings, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and an employee assistance program. 5. **What is the culture like at Sanford Health?** * Sanford Health is committed to creating a culture of excellence, innovation, and compassion. We value our employees and provide them with the resources and support they need to succeed. 6. **How do I apply for this position?** * To apply, please visit our careers website and search for the Infection Prevention Specialist position in Sioux Falls, SD. You will need to create an account and submit your resume and cover letter. 7. **Is certification in infection control (CIC) required?** * Yes, certification in infection control (CIC) is required for acute care settings, or must be obtained within a specified timeframe after hire. 8. **What opportunities are there for professional growth and development?** * Sanford Health offers opportunities for professional growth and development through certification, advanced education, leadership roles, specialization, and participation in research. 9. **What is the work environment like?** * The work environment is collaborative and supportive, with a focus on teamwork and continuous improvement. 10. **What is Sioux Falls, SD like as a place to live?** * Sioux Falls offers a unique blend of big-city amenities and small-town charm, with an affordable cost of living, a strong job market, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and cultural activities.