AIDS INFECTION CONTROL PRACTITIONER

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is specialized infection control and health education and training work developing and evaluating existing infection control procedures in facilities which provide health, residential, recreational, social, educational or correctional services to persons with human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), including persons with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). An employee in this class evaluates the daily infection control procedures employed in diverse service areas including medical and nursing care, physical therapy, housekeeping, food preparation, and lodging in various public and private facilities and recommends changes in existing procedures to reduce the risk of HIV infection for clients and staff. A significant aspect of the work is the training of technical care providers including physicians and dentists and clients of various public and private institutions and facilities in proper HIV infection control policies and procedures. Work is performed under the general supervision of a technical superior.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Trains physicians, nurses, dentists and ancillary health care provider staff in proper techniques for reducing risk of HIV infection in health care settings; trains professional and non-professional staffs employed in shelters, foster care agencies, prisons, and other agencies in proper techniques for reducing risk of HIV infection in these settings.

Reviews and evaluates the application of infection control principles and practices in public and private service facilities; recommends changes in these procedures to improve standards of infection control; works with staff to implement appropriate infection control techniques.

Investigates and evaluates complaints in relation to provision of denial of services to persons with HIV infection in public facilities; provides appropriate staff training to facilitate provisions of appropriate services in the future.

Reviews patient medical records in public facilities to identify level of medical and related services, and documentation of same provided to persons with HIV infection, and AIDS; confers with on-site administrative, physician and nursing supervisory staffs in public facilities to ensure that appropriate levels of medical and related services are provided to these clients.

Attends meetings of administrative, physician, nursing, and other professional personnel in city operating departments to discuss the design, implementation and evaluation of infection control policies relating specifically to HIV infection.

Provides information and required services to individuals seeking assistance through telephone contact as required.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• infection control theory and theory and practices and their application in providing medical, nursing, educational, residential, social and other services to person who might have HIV infection

• health principles, practices and techniques with respect to clinical and related services

• the medical and psychosocial aspects of AIDS and AIDS-related syndromes.

• training principles, methods and techniques

ABILITY TO:

• provide training and instruction for professional and non-professional personnel of various health care and related disciplines

• evaluate and resolve infection control practices problems within a variety of service delivery settings

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel of various disciplines in the community

• communicate effectively both orally and in writing

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 7/87.)

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental science, medical microbiology or a related area or graduation from an accredited school of nursing.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Two years of experience in infection control in an acute care facility.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the educational requirements described above.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Eligibility for certification from the National Association of Practitioners on Infection Control prior to appointment and possession of certification and during tenure of employment.

Class Established 7/87

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 11/15

Ad. Board – 12/15