At Riverside, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you’re part of making sure our organization is running optimally and safely, helping keep the community healthy. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to succeed in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as a team. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!
FTE: 1.000000
Shift: Days
Location: RIVERSIDE MEDICAL CENTER
Summary:
The QI Infection Preventionist (IP) is responsible for identifying, investigating, monitoring, and reporting healthcare-associated infections. The QI Infection Preventionist is responsible for conducting ongoing surveillance of infections in hospital patients, implementing infection control guidelines according to current practice standards, reporting infections/communicable diseases to appropriate public or private authorities, provide infection control education to staff, medical staff and patients. The QI Infection Preventionist will also identify situations of infection exposure and work with Employee Health Department for follow-up and treatment, keep abreast of current developments in the areas of infectious disease, facilitate the Infection Control Committee meetings and develop and maintain good working relationships with Infectious Disease physicians and epidemiologist. The QI IP collaborates with teams and individuals to create infection prevention strategies, provide feedback, and sustain infection prevention strategies.
Educational and Certification Requirements:
Baccalaureate degree in nursing, public health, epidemiology, clinical laboratory science, medical technology or related field.Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology (i.e.: CIC© preferred) or, attainment within 2 years after employment.Reports to: Director of Quality Improvement
Responsibilities:
Job Duties:
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.Design and Deliver Education:
Assess and address learning needs of those served. Create educational goals, objectives, and strategies using learning principles and available educational tools and technology. Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and learner outcomes.Regulatory Requirements:
Comply with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state and federal levels. Facilitate compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. Stay current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards.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.Occupational Health:
Participate in the development/review of occupational health policies and procedures related to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). Assess risk of occupational exposures to infectious disease. Develop (or assist with) rates and trends of occupational exposures. Develop (or assist with) immunization and screening programs. Apply work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable diseases or Following an exposure.Responsibilities:
Conduct ongoing surveillance of infections in hospital patients and employees. Develop and maintain good working relationships with Infectious Disease physicians and Epidemiologist. Facilitate the Infection Control Committee meetings. Identify situations of infection exposure and work with Employee Health Department for follow-up and treatment. Implement infection control guidelines according to current practice standards. Keep abreast of current developments in the area of infectious diseases. Produce documents reporting infections or communicable diseases to appropriate public or private authority. Provide infection control education to staff, medical staff and patients.
Credentials:
Essential:
* Registered Nurse
* CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION
Education:
Nonessential:
* BACHELOR SCIENCE NURSING
Riverside Healthcare is revolutionizing care using leading-edge technology to diagnose and treat patients. We are ranked top in the nation for performance in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and heart surgery and have also been named one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics seven times. Riverside is nationally recognized for our specialty programs in obstetrics, trauma, oncology, rehabilitation, geriatrics, occupational health, psychiatric services, and treatment of alcohol and chemical dependency, as well as patient safety. We combine innovation and convenience at state-of-the-art facilities located in communities throughout the greater Kankakee area.
Riverside Medical Center proves that truly progressive medicine is being delivered in Chicago's southwest suburbs and East Central Illinois. Join a team that is not only concerned with providing the best care possible but also with offering a work environment of advancement and growth. Riverside is a place that embraces a culture where opinions count and dedications is respected, where superior performance is rewarded with competitive salaries and excellent benefits.
Other information:
Exposure/Sensory Requirements:
Exposure to:
Chemicals: Alcohol wipes
Video Display Terminals: Average
Blood and Body Fluids: Some potential for exposure during injection and blood draws and during employee assessment of injuries. However, appropriate usage of needle disposal, standard precautions, and protective equipment should minimize risk.
TB or Airborne Pathogens: Possible exposure to employees during daily interactions. However, use of protective wear and standard precautions reduces risk.
Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):
Speech: Required for employee interaction.
Vision: Needed for patient assessment, data entry and reviewing patient results.
Smell: Helpful to note presence of electrical/fire safety.
Hearing: Needed for telephone communication and patient interaction.
Touch: Needed to write, drawing blood and patient assessment.
Activity/Lifting Requirements:
Average Hours per Week: 36-40
Shift: Days
Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:
Sit: 44%
Twist: 0%
Stand: 30%
Crawl: 0%
Walk: 10%
Kneel: 0%
Lift: 3%
Drive: 0%
Squat: 1%
Climb: 0%
Bend: 1%
Reach above shoulders: 0%
The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:
Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
Up to 35 lbs: Not Required
Up to 50 lbs: Not Required
Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
Over 100 lbs: Not Required
Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):
Lifting employee charts, approximately 5-10'. Lifting cases of chart forms, approximately 5-10'.
Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:
Sit: 30
Twist: 0
Stand: 15
Crawl: 0
Walk: 5
Kneel: 0
Lift: 1
Drive: 0
Squat: 2
Climb: 0
Bend: 0
Reach above shoulders: 0
Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):
Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. Normal weight: 1# often
Pushing & pulling Normal weight: occasionally
Fine Manipulation: Injections, blood draws.
Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: None
Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:
Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
Inside hours: 8
Outside hours : 0
Temperature: Normal Range
Lighting: Average
Noise levels: Average
Humidity: Normal range
Atmosphere:
Special Hazards: None
Protective Clothing Required: Gloves