Infection Preventionist Job Opening at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago in Chicago, IL

General Summary of Position Responsibility:

Acts as a consultant, educator, and facilitator in the coordination of surveillance, prevention and control efforts to ensure the right of patients, healthcare workers and visitors to a healthful environment. Collects and verifies data specific to patient outcomes of infection and environmental hazard relative to potential infection prevention and transmission. Coordinates and communicates infection prevention and control practices throughout the organization and helps the organization to fulfill its legal responsibility to safeguard public health.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Coordinates and performs patient outcome, and if applicable, patient care process surveillance for nosocomial infections as evidenced and directed by the Infection Surveillance, Prevention & Control Annual Plan.
2. Analyzes laboratory and demographic data daily with assessment of antibiogram trends.
3. Compiles numerator and denominator data in collaboration with targeted surveillance population care providers and designated liaisons.
4. Generates and provides reports for the Infection Control Committee and other key customers.
5. Assists in analysis of trends for target populations and provides analysis reports to key customers.
6. Initiates transmission-based isolation precautions or assists in patient triage decisions when necessary.
7. Participates in investigation of clusters/outbreaks of organisms of epidemiological significance, occurrences of special cause, exposures and/or epidemic events.
8. Performs regular rounds/visits to all patient care areas.
9. Coordinates and performs surveillance of the environment of care for risk reduction related to potential sources of infection in the healthcare setting.
10. Develops methods to monitor the environment of care for use of appropriate infection prevention and control practices in both acute and ambulatory patient care environments.
11. Acts as a liaison between Infection Prevention & Control Department and all departments/services/customers.
12. Observes and advises on appropriate infection prevention & control practices with staff, contract service employees, patient care providers, volunteers and students.
13. Coordinates, evaluates and advises on renovation, demolition and construction projects that have implication for potential infection sources for patients, staff and visitors.
14. Reports identified public health issues and coordinates follow-up with local and state public health authorities.
15. Advises and collaborates with public health authorities on issues related to the prevention and control of infection for patients, staff and visitors.
16. Coordinates with the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Laboratory and clinical patient areas on pertinent information/findings relative to communicable diseases, epidemiologically significant diseases and patient care.
17. Develops and trains staff on the principles and practices of infection prevention & control during orientation and provides or advises on content for ongoing training as required by regulatory and accrediting agencies and as identified by need.
18. Collaborates with department/service-based liaisons in "just-in-time" and planned training programs.
19. Collaborates and works with Occupational Health Services to prevent and control communicable disease transmission related to occupational settings.
20. Shares in continuous (24/7) coverage for off hours and weekends

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. BSN in Nursing with current license to practice professional nursing in the State of Illinois or Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology, Public Health, or related field

2. A minimum of three years of experience in patient care or a related clinical setting; prior infection prevention and control experience preferred.

3. Certification in Infection Control (CIC) strongly preferred.

4. Membership in the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) preferred.

5. Strong oral and written communication skills.

6. Knowledge of patient care best practices.

7. Knowledge of the principles and practices of asepsis.

8. Strong customer service skills.

9. Strong computer skills.