GENERAL SUMMARY

The Infection Preventionist is trained in principles of hospital epidemiology and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, and reporting of infections, educating employees about infection control; and the development of policies and procedures to insure infection control standards that meet requirements of local, state and federal regulators and accrediting agencies and are evidence based. Serves as consultant to administration, medical staff, nursing and allied health staff, environmental services, employee and occupational health and facilities.

The Infection Preventionist will consistently demonstrate support of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab statement of Vision, Mission and Core Values by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute.

The Infection Preventionist will demonstrate Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and Core Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Management:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the organizational infection prevention program.

• Surveillance

• Develop an annual surveillance plan based on the population(s) served, services provided, and analysis of surveillance data.

• Utilize epidemiologic principles to conduct surveillance and investigations.

• Evaluate and modify the surveillance plan as necessary

• Develop, interpret and assist with implementation of infection prevention and control policies and protocols.

• Communicate infection prevention and control information and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization as assigned.

2. Regulatory Requirements

• Comply with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state and federal levels in cooperation with attending physician.

• Facilitate compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.

• Stay current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards

• Monitor active construction and renovation projects for compliance with Infection Prevention and Control principles and best practices.

• Monitors disease using the Center of Disease Control (CDC) infection criteria, documentation, and investigation of nosocomial infections, reviewing admission diagnoses, microbiology culture results, isolation orders, patient record, consultation requests, post-discharge surveillance and autopsy findings.

• Identifies target infection populations, analyzes trends and risk factors, and designs prevention and control strategies, applying epidemiological principles and statistical methods.

• Assesses environmental control through surveillance of water supply systems, air pressure relationships, and facility construction or planning.

3. Performance Improvement (PI)

• Utilize PI methodology as a means of enacting change.
• Define the scope of the project and select appropriate PI tools to aid in efficiency, reliability, effectiveness and ensure sustainability of the initiative.
• Ensure that customer needs and expectations are considered in the development of and continuous improvement of processes, products, and services.
• Monitor and analyze process and outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability.
• Participate in PI committees, teams and initiatives as indicated.

4. Research and Implementation Science

• Evaluate (critically) research and evidence-based practices and incorporate appropriate findings into routine practice.
• Integrate evidence-based practices into policies, guidelines, protocols and educational strategies.
• Identify barriers for implementation and develop strategies to minimize or remove barriers.
• Implement strategies to sustain efforts such as audit tools and meaningful feedback.

5. IPC Informatics

• Be familiar with infection prevention software and other technology.
• Collaborate with IT to create meaningful electronic reports to enhance infection prevention initiatives.

6. Fiscal Responsibility

• Consider the financial/safety implications and clinical outcomes when making recommendations, evaluating technology and products, and developing policies and procedures.

• Use a systematic approach to evaluate costs, benefits, and efficacy.

• Incorporate fiscal assessments into program evaluations and/or report

• Monitors and measures infection data and prepares reports on healthcare associated infections and effectiveness of prevention strategies including financial impact.

• Assists with preparing the annual budget for Infection Control program.

7. Education

• Conducts hospital rounds to monitor patients for community acquired or healthcare associated infections, reviews standards of care and ensures appropriate techniques are followed.

• Plans, organizes, develops and implements educational programs for hospital employees that increase employee awareness of infection risks and techniques for avoidance and preventive measures.

• Provides consulting services to nursing staff and health care team members, assessing requests, making recommendations, and providing follow-up.

• Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

1. Director of Patient Safety and Accreditation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, medical technology or related field. MSN or MPH preferred.
2. Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology (i.e.: CIC© preferred) or, attainment within 2 years after employment
3. General knowledge of microbiology, education, infections, diseases and statistics.
4. Ability to interpret and evaluate patient records and charts at a level generally acquired through one-to-two years’ experience.
5. Interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with various Institute departments, to present educational programs to participate on committees and to work cooperatively with physicians.
6. Ability to inspect and tour frequently Institute facilities and ability to concentrate and pay attention to detail in reviewing and analyzing patient charts and records.
7. Ability to effectively use computer software including Microsoft Word and Excel as well as software required for statistical analyses and presentations.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Analytical
• Problem solving
• Collaboration
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to implement evidence-based guidelines
• Conflict resolution
• Program and project management
• Expertise in data collection and analysis, report writing, and data presentation
• Leadership

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.
2. Exposure to moderately adverse working conditions in performing certain patient care activities.
3. Occasional exposure to infectious diseases when working with patients.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

SRALab is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Required Skills Required Experience

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Excellent organizational skills and a sense of urgency
• Good communication skills
• Self-confidence with ability to drive professional opinion in a constructive way
• Previous experience in a similar position  manufacturing environment (automotive industry preferred)
• Must have the ability to quickly learn systems, processes and procedures. Be proactive.