This position is primarily an on-site role working Monday - Friday, with occasional off-hours required, depending on the needs of the facility.

Pay Range

Manages processes for the infection prevention program at the system level. Interprets data, evidence-based guidelines and implements them into the practice throughout the system. Identifies and reduces the risks of acquiring and transmitting infections amongst others. Acts as a consultant in assisting the facilities in achieving their goals of providing high quality, cost-effective patient care and services while demonstrating compliance with regulatory agency standards. Serves as a leader and mentor for other staff.

Major Responsibilities:

• Oversees the sites’ infection prevention programs, policies, and procedures that prevent infections and promotes patient safety. Leads implementation of programs to accomplish targets and provide measurements related to infection prevention and surveillance to meet patient safety goals and meet regulatory requirements at the local, state, and federal level.
• Collects, organizes, analyzes, interprets and reports data including trends and occurrences of infections to be included in performance measures, outbreak or cluster investigations, and distributes findings.
• Collaborates with other staff members and/or physicians to develop, test, and implement effective data collection processes to provide information on clinically significant measures.
• Applies epidemiological principles and statistical methods, including risk stratification, to identify target populations, analyze trends and risk factors, and design and evaluate prevention and control strategies.
• Reviews, analyzes and applies existing regulations, standards and/or guidelines in order to ensure compliance. Reviews and develops policies and procedures to prevent the spread of infection. Assists in preparation of sites for State and Federal surveys.
• Collaborates with clinic/outpatient staff to promote coordination between medical center and clinic/outpatient initiatives, policies, and programs.
• Collaborates in the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programs or tools.
• Performs infection prevention and control rounds, outbreak investigations, and post-intervention follow-up to measure effects on the targeted infection rates and outbreaks, as directed. Reports infectious diseases as required by regulation, as directed.
• Assists with human resource responsibilities, which may include interviewing and selection of new employees, staff development, providing performance feedback, resolution of employee concerns, and employee morale. Identifies performance improvement opportunities within the department and facilitates change.
• Assists with evaluation and/or product review in relation to infection prevention and control standards and/or guidelines.
• Performs human resources responsibilities for staff which include interviewing and selection of new employees, promotions, staff development, performance evaluations, compensation changes, resolution of employee concerns, corrective actions, terminations, and overall employee morale.
• Develops and recommends operating and capital budgets and controls expenditures within approved budget objectives.
• Responsible for understanding and adhering to the organization's Code of Ethical Conduct and for ensuring that personal actions, and the actions of employees supervised, comply with the policies, regulations and laws applicable to the organization's business.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Infection Control (CIC) certification issued by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) or obtained within 2 years.

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, or
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, or

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 7 years of experience in infection control, nursing, public health and/or medical technology including experience with patient care practices, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection/sterilization, adult education, infectious diseases, program administration and epidemiology.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of infection prevention and control principles and process improvement.
• Demonstrated leadership skills including leading groups of people and problem solving.
• Intermediate computer skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and work under time constraints.
• Ability to develop rapport and maintain positive, professional relationships with a variety of patients, staff and physicians.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Must be detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to sit, stand, and walk throughout the workday.
• Must lift up to 10 lbs. occasionally.
• May be exposed to chemical and hazardous waste as well as blood and body fluids and communicable disease.
• Therefore, protective clothing and equipment must be worn as necessary.
• Must have functional vision, speech, and hearing.
• Position requires travel, may be exposed to road and weather hazards.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our Commitment to You:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program