Coord Epidemiology-RN

About the role

The incumbent will perform surveillance for infections utilizing approved definitions/methods and provide analysis/feedback using principles of continuous quality improvement (CQI), as determined by the ICC, incorporating the latest standards according to evidence-based literature, and practice.

Responsibilities

• Collects, enters and analyzes data of infections from various sources: patients medical record, computers (mainframe, MIDAS, and laboratory), admission lists, communication with associates, microbiology data, etc., while maintaining H.I.P.P.A. regulations.
• Physical rounding in assigned areas Surgical Services to detect compliance of infection control measures and identify potentially unsafe practices.
• Maintains patient care activities to identify methods, techniques, equipment, supplies or products which present a risk of infection.
• Develops and/or reviews departmental policies and procedures related to infection control.
• Provides infection control education to associates within Surgical Services and the community utilizing current media resources.
• Provides formal and informal education on infection control topics to associates based on identified needs, specifically related to environmental issues.
• Provides formal and informal education control topics to the community based on identified needs.
• Provides infection control input to committees as needed.
• Provides infection control expertise for policy and procedure development.
• Provides infection control expertise in Product Evaluation including the assessment of a product’s ability to prevent infection through the review of published literature and communication with other users.
• Participates in other committees as requested.
• Affords assistance to the Occupational Health Center with infection control concerns as required by law.
• Acts as a resource to the Occupational Health Center in infection control matters by answering questions/concerns and providing appropriate literature as needed.
• Reports communicable diseases as required by law to the health department through either the phone, fax or mail as required by the current statute in the state of Illinois.
• Affords assistance in policy formation.
• Conducts and monitors clinical Epidemiology research programs for nursing, medical staff, and ancillary departments.
• Conducts comprehensive research on infection control topics and act as a resource person for those wishing to conduct research.
• Participates in clinical CQI projects associated with Infection Control and Performance Improvement.
• Completes required contact hours based on FTE status, within timeframe.

Qualifications

• Nurse, Registered (RN)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Health Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology and/or Biostatistics
• 5 years clinical experience in an acute care setting or lab setting without infection control experience

Skills & Abilities

• Basic computer skills to include spread sheets, Word processing and graphics
• Ability to document occurrences in charts and to communicate with large audiences, associates, patients and families
• Basic clinical knowledge of CQI, research design, data collection and biostatistics
• Current RN license in State of Illinois
• Certification in infection control within five years

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Ability to work under stressful conditions and in difficult situations
• Must possess flexibility to be on 24-hour call in emergencies

Pay

$38.20 - $57.30

Schedule

Part time, day shift, schedule to be determined (Monday through Friday)