Job Description

Location: 1620 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60612

Hospital: RUSH University Medical Center

Department: Infection Prevention & Control

Work Type: Full-Time - 40 Hours per week (1.0 FTE)

Work Schedule: 8 Hour Shifts - Monday to Friday

Summary:

The Infection Preventionist is responsible for activities related to infection prevention, surveillance and control throughout Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) and Rush University Medical Group (RUMG). This role coordinates investigations of patient, staff or visitor infections and/or suspected exposures and reports to appropriate internal personnel or departments and external agencies. Collaborates with the Manager of Infection Prevention and Control and the Hospital Epidemiologist to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infection and ensure the safety and health of all personnel. The Infection Preventionist exemplifies the Rush mission, vision, and values and acts in accordance with Rush policies and procedures.

Other information:

Required Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, in science or other health related field

• 2 year Experience in Infection Control

• Certification in Infection Control at hire or within 9 months of hire

• Ability to analyze data and prepare concise reports using software such as Microsoft office or other statistics program.

• Demonstrates the ability to work in complex clinical or administrative systems or programs.

• Excellent communication skills; interacts effectively with others even in difficult situations.

• Skilled in making presentations with PowerPoint or other presentation software.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Public Health or Epidemiology

Physical Demands:

• Able to move throughout the Medical Center and ambulatory care sites.

• Able to lift or carry objects up to 25lbs.

• Use a keyboard to enter or retrieve data.

• Closely examine specimen or images.

• Work conditions include performing procedures where carelessness could result in injury or illness and contact with potentially infectious materials and/or strong chemical agents.

• Project management skills a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Administers the RUMC program to prevent infections in the hospital, ambulatory care sites, university, and research laboratories.

• Develops reduction strategy, assists with implementation and reports findings/outcomes.

• Analyzes data on epidemiologically significant organisms and nosocomial infections.

• Implements the annual Infection Prevention and Control program and plan which includes prioritized risks, goals and review of activities.

• Contributes to the annual review of the Infection Control and Prevention program.

• Reviews policies and procedures from the perspective of infection prevention and control.

• Implements infection prevention and control measures recommended by the Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC), Health Alert Network (HAN) and the department of health.

• Participates in the assessment of new products or equipment for potential risk of spreading infection prior to purchase.

• Consultants and addresses cleaning, disinfection and sterilization practices.

• Conducts infection surveillance activities throughout the medical center and implements a priority-directed methodology for surveillance to minimize potential outbreaks of infectious diseases.

• Inspects patient care environments to detect possible infection hazards.

• Evaluates compliance with medical center infection control policies.

• Communicates with employee health staff to monitor and treat personnel for actual or potential exposure.

• Evaluates new construction or renovation projects and communicates strategies to minimize dust contamination and identifies design decisions that may increase risk of infection.

• Represents Infection Prevention and Control on task forces and committees.

• Investigates clusters of infections, documents the infection, and determines if cluster is beyond an acceptable level.

• Participates in special studies under the direction of the IPCC or the Director, Infection Prevention and Control.

• Advises clinical staff on the appropriate utilization of standard and transmission based precautions.

• Responds to and identifies emerging pathogens and threats in concert with the Hospital Epidemiologist and Section of Infectious Diseases.

• Collaborates with Employee and Corporate Health Services (ECHS) to develop and implement strategies that reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission to healthcare providers.

• Reports on infections and surveillance activities to departments, medical center quality committees, public health agencies and centers for disease control.

• Enters data into the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and verifies data prior to submission to NHSN.

• Prepares reports on infection prevention and control activities for the IPCC.

• Supports the IPCC as a member and subject matter expert.

• Participates in response to Infectious Disease emergencies at the medical center or in the community.

• Participates in the planning and development of infectious disease related emergency response plans.

• Participates in the post-event evaluation of the event or drill.

• Provides educational program training for volunteers, staff, faculty, and students on infection prevention and management.

• Supports annual organizational initiatives as assigned.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Position Infection Preventionist I - Full-Time

Location US:IL:Chicago

Req ID 13037