Infection Preventionist

Infection Preventionist Hourly Pay Range: $38.67 - $59.94. The hourly pay rate offered is determined by a candidate's expertise and years of experience, among other factors. Position Highlights Position: Infection Preventionist | Location: Naperville | Full Time: 40 hours | Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00a-4:30p, weekends and holidays when on call every 4th weekend | Required Travel: NA A Brief Overview The Infection Preventionist is responsible for overseeing and implementing infection control measures within a healthcare facility. This role involves monitoring, preventing, and controlling the spread of infectious diseases to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. It assures compliance with Joint Commission, OSHA, and Illinois Dept. of Public Health standards and regulations, all within the context of controlling and minimizing infection risks and promoting quality care. Responsibilities Conduct surveillance to identify patients with communicable diseases requiring follow‑up and isolation. Apply established criteria to identify and classify infections at various body sites. Track risks, rates, and trends in hospital‑acquired infections. Recognize statistical significance of surveillance data and identify variances from baseline that require special attention. Compare data to published studies and recognized sources (e.g., CDC). Conduct investigations of clusters of infection occurring above expected levels by collaborating with appropriate persons to establish study case definition, period of study, and case‑finding methods. Utilize epidemiological principles to design and conduct investigations. Routinely perform infection prevention rounds and complete associated tracers to support infection prevention efforts and regulatory compliance. Collaborate with Facilities and key stakeholders to ensure risk mitigation strategies are implemented before, during, and after project work. Communicate with public health authorities regarding communicable disease control, prevention, and reporting. Maintain appropriate records as required by regulation and ensure maximum confidentiality. Establish and maintain quality of care through direction of various department personnel in cooperation with the Medical Staff and Clinical Quality/Clinical Excellence. Collaborate with various departments on infection control issues as needed, including Emergency Preparedness, Employee Health, Sterile Processing, and Environmental Services. Communicate changes in regulations, guidelines, consensus statements, position papers, and standards to appropriate parties. Influence and motivate others to enhance Infection Control perception. Participate in development and implementation of system‑wide policies and procedures related to Infection Control activities. Provide new employee orientation and ongoing in‑service training to hospital personnel using adult learning principles. Assess educational needs and prepare or coordinate workshops, lectures, or one‑on‑one instruction as needed. Work closely with the Employee Health Department to develop infection control strategies addressing risk of transmission between patients and health‑care providers, including investigation and follow‑up for providers exposed to communicable diseases. Assume rotating on‑call responsibilities as needed, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Duties include answering pages, reviewing laboratory reports, and isolation surveillance. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Medical Technology, or Public Health required. Master’s degree in any of these fields preferred. Two years of experience as a staff nurse or laboratory scientist with a background in Infectious Diseases required. Previous Infection Prevention experience preferred. Strong interpersonal skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and an electronic medical record system. Working knowledge of Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies’ requirements. Knowledgeable in adult education principles. Ability to prioritize and organize activities. Demonstrates results through influencing others and leading change. Experience in group education and presentation. Certifications & Licenses Registered Nurse (RN) – Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) required. Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) – American Medical Technologists (AMT) required. Certified in Infection Control (CIC) – Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) required within two years of start date. Benefits Premium pay for eligible employees. Career pathways to promote professional growth and development. Various medical, dental, and vision options. Tuition reimbursement. Free parking at designated locations. Wellness program. Savings plan. Health savings account options. Retirement options with company match. Paid time off. Community involvement opportunities. #J-18808-Ljbffr 2000 Edward Elmhurst Healthcare