Infection Prevention Specialist 1
Company: STI
Location: Knoxville
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
Under general supervision, is responsible for professional
public health field contact work of average difficulty and performs
related work as required. The goal of the Infection Prevention
Specialist is to protect the health of the citizens of Tennessee
through the prevention and control of infections within healthcare
settings such as Acute Care Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Outpatient
settings.Distinguishing Features: This is the entry/working level
class in the Infection Prevention sub-series. This class differs
from the Infection Prevention Specialist 2 in that an incumbent of
the latter performs duties of a larger scope and complexity, acts
as the primary manager of projects or studies, and supervises
employees. Work Activities: Conducts on-site infection control
assessments of healthcare facilities, provides follow-up
consultation around mitigation of identified infection control
gaps, observes infection control practices and reviews policies and
procedures to ensure compliance with national best practices
endorsed by the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory
Committee (HICPAC), the Association for Professionals in Infection
Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare
Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Provides infection control training
to internal and external stakeholders, including state, regional
and local health department staff, state surveyors, Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) providers, infection preventionists and
quality improvement specialists across the spectrum of healthcare.
Provides technical assistance and conducts training sessions for
healthcare partners and users of the National Healthcare Safety
Network (NHSN) including enrollment, assistance with the
application of definitions and data validation. Responds to state
and federal regulatory referrals (e.g., the Joint Commission) for
certified Medicare/Medicaid entities with immediate jeopardy
infection control tags. Responds to complaints referred by the
Office of Healthcare Facilities or the Health Boards. Interprets
Tennessee Department of Health regulations, the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation
(COP), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
privacy rule, information on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
websites and medical/legal concepts regarding healthcare data.
Provides support in the investigation of Healthcare Associated
Infection (HAI) outbreaks and containment responses to single cases
of pathogens of urgent public health concern in healthcare
settings. Provides consultative infection control advice to
facility staff regarding the management of infectious
patients/residents and other infection prevention issues.
Participates in Emerging Infections Program funded multi-state
point prevalence surveys and other related Healthcare Associated
Infections (HAI) grant funded projects. Serves as an independent
outside infection control observer in public health emergencies
(e.g., Ebola or other highly infectious diseases). Applies
principles of antibiotic stewardship and quality improvement to
infection control activities.
Keywords: STI, Kingsport , Infection Prevention Specialist 1, Healthcare , Knoxville, Tennessee
