Infection Preventionist - CEH

Position Summary:
The Infection Preventionist serves as a certified subject-matter expert to develop, implement and provide oversight for the organization infection prevention program. Key program elements include infection surveillance, prevention and control activities, surveillance data analysis, guiding prevention and follow-up activities, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, providing infection prevention education for personnel and providing expert infection prevention guidance during infection surge events. Facilities performance improvement teams related to infection prevention measures through collaboration with a diverse team in a complex environment.

Qualifications:
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or Related Field

CERTIFICATION & LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
Registered Professional Nurse (RN) License Illinois upon hire and Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) within 3 years and Basic Certificate in Quality & Safety (IHI) within 1 year.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Experience in Hospital Infection Prevention or Hospital Epidemiology/Microbiology preferred

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Strong analytical, presentation, and teaching skills with demonstrated ability to function well in a fast-paced, highly visible and challenging environment. Flexible with schedule to accommodate urgent requests and deliverable deadlines. Knowledge of Quality Improvement methodologies preferred.

Essential Functions:

• Provide oversight and management for ongoing infection prevention and control activities.
• Monitor and assess infection prevention and control practices and policies/procedures ensuring organizational, physician and staff compliance.
• Conduct annual and/or ongoing risk assessment(s) to identify potential for acquiring and transmitting infections based on geographical location; community and population served; care, treatment and services provided; and analysis of surveillance activities and other infection prevention/control data.
• Monitor and assist with data submission as required for reporting (i.e. NHSN, CDC, IDPH, etc...).
• Develop and Recommend annual plan and goals on prioritized risks, reduction of unprotected exposure and transmission and revise goals as needed.
• Evaluate/investigate infection prevention and control issues and concerns and make recommendations for corrective activities.
• Develop, initiate and revise infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
• Serve as a mentor to develop skills for department staff relative to infection prevention and control practices.
• Conduct outbreak investigations and initiate control measures in collaboration with Infectious Disease, Occupational Medicine and/or Public Health as needed. In collaboration with laboratory services, assist as needed with reporting of communicable diseases to the state as required by law. Provide assistance to Public Health Officials for disease/exposure investigation and follow-up.
• Facilitate Performance Improvement (PI) teams and assist with implementation of established action plans including follow-up activities to help evaluate effectiveness of interventions.
• Conducts proactive rounds throughout departments to evaluate infection control and prevention practices.