This department provides an active facility-wide program for the prevention and control of infections.

Scope of Patient Care
Infection Control provides infection prevention services for patients and personnel in all departments of the hospital.       

Department Duties

• Collect, review, and analyze Infection Control data
• Conduct surveillance for infections, diseases and organisms identified in the annual Infection Control surveillance plan. 
• Monitor selected healthcare-associated infections and community-acquired infections in accordance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Provided Infection Control education to all new employees. 
• Review and supervise educational offerings with Infection Control content for employees, and physicians.
• Provide consultant services on Infection Control issues to the organization, including West Valley Hospital. 
• Make regular rounds in patient care areas observing for adherence to Standard Precautions, Enhanced Precautions, Hand Hygiene and other infection prevention and control measures. 

Department Professionals

• Infection Control Nurse
• Manager of Infection Control
• Epidemiologist

Educational/Skill Requirements

• Oregon State Patient Care Licensures

More information
You can also go to the Professional Information link to see what training is needed, the current job opportunities, salary ranges, etc.  You may also want to look at the national employment picture for these careers from the U.S.Department of Labor.