80% Infection Preventionist, Quality Improvement Program Full Time NEW

The Quality Improvement Program at UI Health Care is seeking an 80% Infection Preventionist (typically working 32 hours/week) to develop, coordinate and supervise activities for the Program of Hospital Epidemiology (PHE) and other assigned concurrent quality management activities in the Quality Improvement Program.

Duties Include

• Provides leadership in epidemiology and infection control for patients, staff, visitors, and students throughout the hospital.
• Investigates outbreaks, communicable disease exposures, and potential transmissions. Monitors and reports communicable diseases to the Iowa Department of Public Health and Johnson County Health Department. Ensures that chiefs, administrative nursing staff, and support service staff are notified of investigations, outbreaks, and exposures.
• Conducts concurrent infection control surveillance and uses surveillance data to develop appropriate interventions.
• Helps implement guidelines and evaluates practice to ensure that guidelines are applied consistently.
• Teaches and evaluates isolation techniques and Standard Precautions.
• Translates and interprets epidemiology data and assists with program’s evaluation of consistent application of guidelines.
• Makes rounds on patient care areas and clinics at the request of a service. Identifies and/or responds to needs for consultation about emergency or recurrent problems that need to be resolved.
• Develops and conducts educational programs for hospital staff including in-service training programs about infection prevention, control, safety, and employee health for patients and staff.
• Participates in education and training of staff, fellows, and students in epidemiology surveillance methodologies.
• Participates in the annual Iowa Infection Control Seminar, and other advanced programs. Provides support to the Iowa Statewide Epidemiology Education and Consultation Outreach Program.
• Provides administrative assistance to the Lead Infection Preventionist, the Director of the Quality Improvement Program, the Hospital Epidemiologist, the Associate Hospital Epidemiologist, and the Infection Control Work Group on matters relating to infection control.
• Serves in an advisory, resource capacity to inquiries related to infection control and the program’s activities and maintains current resource files.
• Provides consultation, direction and resources to assist in the development of the policies and procedures for patient care practices, environmental cleaning and sanitation, disinfection and sterilization.
• Participates in review, update, and maintenance functions for the UI Health Care Infection Prevention SharePoint site and related policies.
• Participates and assists with communication between the UI Health Care and selected regulatory agencies, e.g., the Joint Commission, as they relate to PHE programs.
• Provides consultation and direction for patient care areas and clinics at the request of a service for regulatory compliance, construction issues, emergency and surge planning, maintenance of infection prevention and patient safety strategies, and during emergent or existing and ongoing issues.
• Mutually responsible for providing on-call coverage for the Program of Hospital Epidemiology as assigned. Call is required on evenings or weekends for infection control-related questions and issues.
• Assumes special assignments as delegated by the Lead Infection Preventionist, the Director of the Quality Improvement Program, the Hospital Epidemiologist, or the Chief Quality Officer.
• Participates in hiring of professional and support staff.
• Trains and provides functional supervision of professional and support staff in processes necessary to conduct departmental activities.

Percent of time: 80% / typically works 32 hours per week

Work Schedule

• Some flexibility between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
• Mutually responsible for providing on-call coverage for the Program of Hospital Epidemiology as assigned. Call is required on evenings or weekends for infection control-related questions and issues.

Location: This position is located at the UI Health Care Medical Center on the University Campus, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA

Pay level 5A Starting salary will be based on applicant qualifications and relevant experience. To view the entire range for salary level for 5A: Professional and Scientific Pay Structures | University Human Resources – The University of Iowa

Benefits Highlights: Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefitsement plans. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits

Required

• A master’s degree in a healthcare related field with 1-3 years’ experience in infection prevention or a related field (including clinical care), or a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare related field with 3-5 years’ experience in infection prevention or a related field (including clinical care), or an equivalent amount of education and experience is required.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Power Point and Excel
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Desired

• A bachelor’s degree in Nursing
• A current Iowa RN license

Process

• To be considered for an interview, applicants must upload a current resume and a cover letter that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on April 27. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
• Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
• This position is not eligible for University of Iowa sponsorship for employment authorization.
• For questions, contact Heidi Bodensteiner at heidi-bodensteiner@uiowa.edu.

Additional Information

• Classification Title: Qual & Op Improv Engineer
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Part-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus

Compensation

• Pay Level: 5A

Contact Information

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Heidi Bodensteiner
• Contact Email: heidi-bodensteiner@uiowa.edu