Infection Preventionist

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab • Chicago, IL

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together. Job Description Summary The Infection Preventionist is trained in principles of hospital epidemiology and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, and reporting of nosocomial 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.. Job Description The Infection Preventionist: Monitors disease using 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. Conducts hospital rounds to monitor patients for community acquired or nosocomial infections, reviewing standards of care and ensuring appropriate techniques are followed. Develops and implements educational programs for hospital employees that increase awareness of infection risks and techniques for avoidance and preventive measures. Monitors and measures infection data and prepares reports on nosocomial infections and effectiveness of prevention strategies including financial impact. Provides consulting services to nursing staff and health care team members, assessing requests, making recommendations, and providing follow-up. Coordinates reporting of communicable disease to appropriate agencies as required by law in cooperation with attending physician. Monitors construction and renovation projects for compliance with Infection Prevention and Control principles and best practices. Assists with preparing the annual budget for Infection Control program. Performs all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Reporting Relationships Reports directly to Manager of Infection Prevention

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, Public Health or related field with 5 years professional experience; OR Masters degree with 0 – 2 years professional experience.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) required, or ability to achieve certification within specified timeframe.
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to interact with various Institute departments, to present educational programs to participate on committees and to work cooperatively with physicians.
• Analytical abilities necessary to interpret and evaluate patient charts and records to conduct statistical analyses, to prepare related reports, and to identify and develop appropriate solutions to infection control problems.
• Ability to work on site to inspect and tour frequently Institute facilities.
• Ability to effectively use computer software including Microsoft Word and Excel as well as software required for statistical analyses and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Monitors disease using 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.
• Conducts hospital rounds to monitor patients for community acquired or nosocomial infections, reviewing standards of care and ensuring appropriate techniques are followed.
• Develops and implements educational programs for hospital employees that increase awareness of infection risks and techniques for avoidance and preventive measures.
• Monitors and measures infection data and prepares reports on nosocomial infections and effectiveness of prevention strategies including financial impact.
• Provides consulting services to nursing staff and health care team members, assessing requests, making recommendations, and providing follow-up.
• Coordinates reporting of communicable disease to appropriate agencies as required by law in cooperation with attending physician.
• Monitors construction and renovation projects for compliance with Infection Prevention and Control principles and best practices.
• Assists with preparing the annual budget for Infection Control program.
• Performs all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Benefits

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits
• Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level