80% Infection Preventionist, Quality Improvement Program

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Quality Improvement Program at UI Health Care is seeking an 80% Infection Preventionist (typically working 32 hours/week) to develop, coordinate and supervise activities for the Program of Hospital Epidemiology (PHE) and other assigned concurrent quality management activities in the Quality Improvement Program. This role provides leadership in epidemiology and infection control for patients, staff, visitors, and students throughout the hospital. The Infection Preventionist will also participate in education and training, provide administrative assistance, and serve as an advisory resource on infection control matters.

Requirements

A master’s degree in a healthcare related field with 1-3 years’ experience in infection prevention or a related field (including clinical care), or a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare related field with 3-5 years’ experience in infection prevention or a related field (including clinical care), or an equivalent amount of education and experience is required.
Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Power Point and Excel
Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in Nursing
A current Iowa RN license

Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate and supervise activities for the Program of Hospital Epidemiology (PHE) and other assigned concurrent quality management activities in the Quality Improvement Program.
Provide leadership in epidemiology and infection control for patients, staff, visitors, and students throughout the hospital.
Investigate outbreaks, communicable disease exposures, and potential transmissions.
Monitor and report communicable diseases to the Iowa Department of Public Health and Johnson County Health Department.
Ensure that chiefs, administrative nursing staff, and support service staff are notified of investigations, outbreaks, and exposures.
Conduct concurrent infection control surveillance and use surveillance data to develop appropriate interventions.
Help implement guidelines and evaluate practice to ensure that guidelines are applied consistently.
Teach and evaluate isolation techniques and Standard Precautions.
Translate and interpret epidemiology data and assist with program's evaluation of consistent application of guidelines.
Make rounds on patient care areas and clinics at the request of a service.
Identify and/or respond to needs for consultation about emergency or recurrent problems that need to be resolved.
Develop and conduct educational programs for hospital staff including in-service training programs about infection prevention, control, safety, and employee health for patients and staff.
Participate in education and training of staff, fellows, and students in epidemiology surveillance methodologies.
Participate in the annual Iowa Infection Control Seminar, and other advanced programs.
Provide support to the Iowa Statewide Epidemiology Education and Consultation Outreach Program.
Provide administrative assistance to the Lead Infection Preventionist, the Director of the Quality Improvement Program, the Hospital Epidemiologist, the Associate Hospital Epidemiologist, and the Infection Control Work Group on matters relating to infection control.
Serve in an advisory, resource capacity to inquiries related to infection control and the program's activities and maintain current resource files.
Provide consultation, direction and resources to assist in the development of the policies and procedures for patient care practices, environmental cleaning and sanitation, disinfection and sterilization.
Participate in review, update, and maintenance functions for the UI Health Care Infection Prevention SharePoint site and related policies.
Participate and assist with communication between the UI Health Care and selected regulatory agencies, e.g., the Joint Commission, as they relate to PHE programs.
Provide consultation and direction for patient care areas and clinics at the request of a service for regulatory compliance, construction issues, emergency and surge planning, maintenance of infection prevention and patient safety strategies, and during emergent or existing and ongoing issues.
Mutually responsible for providing on-call coverage for the Program of Hospital Epidemiology as assigned.
Assume special assignments as delegated by the Lead Infection Preventionist, the Director of the Quality Improvement Program, the Hospital Epidemiologist, or the Chief Quality Officer.
Participate in hiring of professional and support staff.
Train and provide functional supervision of professional and support staff in processes necessary to conduct departmental activities.