Infection Control and Prevention Coordinator

WE ARE INSIGHT : At Insight Hospital and Medical Center- Chicago, we believe there is a better way to provide quality healthcare while achieving health equity.

Our Chicago location looks forward to working closely with our neighbors and residents, to build a full-service community hospital in the Bronzeville area of Chicago;

creating a comprehensive plan to increase services and meet community needs. With a growing team that is dedicated to delivering world-class service to everyone we meet, it is our mission to deliver the most compassionate, loving, expert, and impactful care in the world to our patients.

• Be a part of the Insight Chicago team that provides PATIENT CARE SECOND TO NONE! If you would like to be a part of our future team, please apply now! General Summary : Under the supervision and clinical direction of the Director, of Infection Prevention and Control, Infection Prevention and guidance of the Chair, Infection Control Committee, the Infection Prevention Coordinator conducts ongoing surveillance of health-care associated infections;
• compiles summary reports; identifies the need for corrections and opportunities for improvement in environmental conditions, patient care practices, and quality and safety related to infection prevention and control, and coordinates the actions necessary to accomplish these changes;
• provides input in the development and expansion of the infection prevention program; acts as a liaison with city and state health departments in matters of infection and communicable disease control;
• monitors employee health problems associated with infectious / communicable disease; serves as a member of the Infection Control Committee and various nursing and hospital committees;

provides for personal / professional development; and performs related duties as assigned. Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts ongoing surveillance of Health-care associated infections;
• Establishes on a daily basis, a surveillance population of all patients with known or suspected infection and at-risk populations.
• Reviews and monitors patient records / electronic surveillance reports on a regular basis and determines the evidence of infection by applying established criteria for identification of infections.
• Documents the occurrence of infection and / or communicable disease, organizing data according to service, infection site, and whether infection is present on admission or hospital acquired / health care associated.
• Conducts / analyzes results of compliance monitoring for hand hygiene and adherence to established policy to assure staff and patient safety
• Compiles summary reports : With guidance provided by Director Infection Prevention and Control prepares surveillance reports on a scheduled basis Prepares special committee reports as requested Other reports as requested
• Identifies and coordinates the need for corrections and improvements in environmental conditions and patient care practices related to infection control.
• Makes unit rounds as needed to detect infection prevention and control related problems and to assist in case finding.
• Assists unit nursing supervisors and other department heads in detecting infection problems and epidemiological hazards in their areas.
• Monitors occurrence of infection prevention and control problems throughout the organization and assesses for development of trends requiring corrective action.
• Advises the appropriate change required to improve or correct existing conditions or practices.
• Assists in development of plans to accomplish desired improvements / corrections.
• Becomes directly / indirectly involved based on need, in implementing plans for changes related to infection prevention and control activities.
• Consults with and provides infection related information and teaching to patients and their families on an as needed basis.
• Provides input as requested regarding the purchase of equipment and supplies related to infection prevention and control.
• Serves in an advisory capacity to all department heads :
• Communicates regularly with unit supervisors and other department heads to promote and encourage continued adherence to infection prevention and control practices.
• Provides on-the-spot consultation regarding infection prevention and control questions to all departments, and conducts follow-up as needed.
• Presents in-service education of infection prevention and control topics to staff members and community upon request, including Mercy satellite sites.
• Provides pertinent written resource materials to staff members and community upon request, including Mercy satellite sites.
• Remains abreast of current infection prevention and control guidelines, and updates in practices and advises the Infection Control Committee accordingly.
• Monitors patients placed into isolation for appropriateness of isolation type and for compliance with technique.
• Works directly with department heads to establish, review, and update their infection prevention and control policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Coordinates the development and expansion of the infection prevention and control program :
• Interprets surveillance and other pertinent data to determine specific areas of need for increased infection prevention involvement.
• Participates as a member of the Infection Control Committee
• Participates in special studies as requested by the Director Infection Prevention and Control
• Acts as a liaison with city and state health departments, community based projects, etc., in matter of infection and communicable disease control;
• Reports all cases of reportable diseases and conditions to the appropriate agency. Keeps record of the same.
• Works with local health department per request on specific epidemiological studies.
• Reviews health authorities printed reports, routinely to be aware of the communicable diseases / problems present in the community.
• Monitors employee health problems associated with infectious / communicable disease :
• As requested, works with Health Service in determining the appropriate time for the employee to return to work.
• Assesses employee’s infectious / communicable illnesses to detect and prevent the possibilities of cross-infection.
• Assists in initiation of proper follow-up.
• Aids in the promotion of improved health services for employees.
• Serves as a member of various nursing and hospital committees :
• Communicates the plans, functions and needs of the Infection Prevention and Control Program, and seeks the contribution and cooperation of the other members of the hospital staff.
• Cooperates in the coordination of nursing practice activities with other members of the Nursing supervisory staff.
• Participates in problems sharing and problem solving related to quality of patient care.
• Participates as a member of the Infection Control Committee Hospital-wide Education Presents infection prevention and control in-service education to all new employees at the hospital new Employee Orientation program held monthly.

Presents infection prevention and control in-service education at specific discipline orientation (. nursing, certified nurse assistant, medical residents).

Provides assistance to the department heads in the yearly and required infection prevention and control in-service conducted for all employees (Hospital Safety Fair).

Provides training and updated materials to department heads, in-service staff trainees, etc., to meet the educational mandates of governmental (OSHA, CDC, agencies, for updated policies and procedures, etc.

• Ensures that care is provided for all patients incorporating the attributes of Careful Nursing. Unconditional love Trustworthy collaboration Health education Communicable calm Perfect skill in fostering safety and comfort Creation of a restorative environment Cares for self Watchfulness Power derived from service Participatory authoritative management
• Carries out other duties as assigned.

Requirements :

• Current license in the State of Illinois required
• Masters in Public Health required
• Familiarity with NHSN surveillance system definitions and data entry and submission
• Familiarity with state, local, federal, mandatory reporting requirements / rules and regulations
• Previous Infection Prevention experience preferred
• Current CPR certification required
• Certification in infection prevention and control preferred or obtainable within 2 years of employment in this role
• Familiarity with electronic surveillance systems
• Ability to quickly recognize changes in condition and needs of the patient care unit.
• Knowledge of growth and development needs of staff.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy in carrying out work duties.

Insight Employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to accommodation for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.