Infection Prevention & Control Nurse - Specialty Hospital (Full-Time)

ChildServe•Johnston, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an Infection Prevention and Control Nurse to develop, implement, and sustain a comprehensive infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship program. This role ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, evidence-based practices, and organizational goals. This role will also monitor infection trends and antibiotic utilization, provide education and guidance to staff, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to reduce infection risks. This position plays a key leadership role in preventing, identifying, and managing infectious disease risks across ChildServe Specialty Hospital and the broader organization Schedule Monday – Friday, general business hours Onsite at Johnston location How You’ll Make an Impact Program Development and Implementation Develop, implement, and maintain infection prevention, control, and antimicrobial stewardship policies, including annual risk assessments and an infection control plan, in alignment with regulatory and accreditation requirements. Ensure the infection prevention and control program meets all regulatory standards, accreditation expectations, and current evidence-based best practices. Surveillance and Case Investigation Provide oversight of: Ongoing surveillance of healthcare-associated infection rates, infectious disease trends, potential outbreaks, and reportable diseases Investigation of individual cases and clusters of infection Initiation of containment and mitigation efforts, when identified Antibiotic use Education and Training Develop and deliver infection prevention education for onboarding, annual training, and as needed, based on infection trends or incidents. Educate staff and families on best practices, including hand hygiene, standard precautions, personal protective equipment use, environmental cleanliness, and appropriate antibiotic use. Collaboration and Improvement Projects Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and medical staff to identify and implement performance improvement initiatives, workflows, and care processes related to infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship. Partner with Facilities and Occupational Health to support water management activities, staff health planning, and illness reporting to reduce infection risks. Auditing and Compliance Develop, implement, and oversee infection prevention and antibiotic use audits, including measurable targets, performance indicators, and consistent data collection processes. Analyze audit results with interdisciplinary teams to identify trends, address non-compliance, and drive continuous improvement through education, policy updates, and quality initiatives. Outbreak Response and Reporting Lead and coordinate infectious disease outbreak responses in collaboration with medical leadership, public health authorities, and other key stakeholders. Ensure accurate documentation and recordkeeping of outbreak investigations, response actions, and required reporting. Data Analysis and Reporting Analyze infection prevention and antibiotic use data to produce meaningful reports, communicate required metrics and trends to key stakeholders and regulatory bodies, and support compliance with reporting requirements. Use data insights to guide evidence-based improvements, evaluate intervention effectiveness, and support Infection Prevention and Control Council and Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee activities in collaboration with medical staff. Professional Development Stay current with emerging infectious diseases, regulatory updates, and evidence-based practices in infection prevention and control and antibiotic use. Participate in continuing education, professional organizations, and relevant conferences. Make a Difference Every Day at ChildServe ChildServe partners with families to help children with special healthcare needs live a great life. ChildServe is a leading pediatric healthcare provider with Iowa’s only children's specialty hospital, offering a variety of services and programs to meet each child’s unique needs. ChildServe’s four key specialty areas include: complex medical care, pediatric rehabilitation, autism and behavioral health, and community-based services. With a coordinated approach to care delivery, services are interwoven and streamlined, so families can address their child’s needs in one location. Established in 1928, ChildServe proudly provides more than 30 pediatric specialty services to nearly 6,000 children in Iowa each year. ChildServe is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. To request assistance with the application process, please email [email protected]. ChildServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

BS in Nursing
Current valid license as a RN in the state of Iowa
3 years of experience as a nurse in an acute or subacute healthcare environment
3 years of experience in Infection Prevention and Control, as well as performance improvement activities
Current CPR/BLS certification
Certification in Infection Control (CIC) within 1 year of hire
Computer skills including Microsoft Office, and ability to proficiently learn new software programs
Ability to travel independently within the state for business events
Ability to develop, interpret, and follow applicable policies, procedures, and regulations
Ability to lift up to 35 lbs, be mobile within the clinic areas, and frequently bend, lift, reach, and stand
Ability to communicate effectively in (or through) reading, writing and speaking the English language

Nice To Haves

Masters degree in Science of Nursing preferred
2 years of experience in a supervisory level capacity in a healthcare setting, preferred
2 years of experience in pediatrics, preferred
Development towards Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) Advanced Leadership Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (AL-CIP) through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC), preferred
Certification as Certified Professional of Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), optional

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and maintain infection prevention, control, and antimicrobial stewardship policies, including annual risk assessments and an infection control plan, in alignment with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
Ensure the infection prevention and control program meets all regulatory standards, accreditation expectations, and current evidence-based best practices.
Provide oversight of: Ongoing surveillance of healthcare-associated infection rates, infectious disease trends, potential outbreaks, and reportable diseases
Investigation of individual cases and clusters of infection
Initiation of containment and mitigation efforts, when identified
Antibiotic use
Develop and deliver infection prevention education for onboarding, annual training, and as needed, based on infection trends or incidents.
Educate staff and families on best practices, including hand hygiene, standard precautions, personal protective equipment use, environmental cleanliness, and appropriate antibiotic use.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and medical staff to identify and implement performance improvement initiatives, workflows, and care processes related to infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
Partner with Facilities and Occupational Health to support water management activities, staff health planning, and illness reporting to reduce infection risks.
Develop, implement, and oversee infection prevention and antibiotic use audits, including measurable targets, performance indicators, and consistent data collection processes.
Analyze audit results with interdisciplinary teams to identify trends, address non-compliance, and drive continuous improvement through education, policy updates, and quality initiatives.
Lead and coordinate infectious disease outbreak responses in collaboration with medical leadership, public health authorities, and other key stakeholders.
Ensure accurate documentation and recordkeeping of outbreak investigations, response actions, and required reporting.
Analyze infection prevention and antibiotic use data to produce meaningful reports, communicate required metrics and trends to key stakeholders and regulatory bodies, and support compliance with reporting requirements.
Use data insights to guide evidence-based improvements, evaluate intervention effectiveness, and support Infection Prevention and Control Council and Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee activities in collaboration with medical staff.
Stay current with emerging infectious diseases, regulatory updates, and evidence-based practices in infection prevention and control and antibiotic use.
Participate in continuing education, professional organizations, and relevant conferences.