Public Health Infection Control Jobs in Chicago, IL

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) provides comprehensive care, education, and research to the people of Illinois and beyond. A part of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), UI Health comprises a clinical enterprise that includes a 495-bed tertiary care hospital, 30+ outpatient clinics, and 13 Mile Square Health Center facilities, which are Federally Qualified Health Centers. It also includes the seven UIC health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health; the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Nursing, including regional campuses in Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, and Urbana. UI Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health equity. This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Under general supervision of the Chief Nursing Officer this position provides expertise to all levels of leadership and staff of UI Hospital & Health Sciences System in the areas of prevention, control, and documentation of healthcare associated infections and communicable diseases. Manages Infection Prevention & Control team, partners with the Medical Director for Infection Control, and directs all infection related activities and priorities. Maintains knowledge of relevant state and federal regulations, national standards, and guidelines to ensure regulatory compliance. Develops strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Contributes leadership and assistance to enterprise-wide initiatives as a member of the Chief Nursing Officers leadership team.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of an organization-wide infection prevention and control plan that is evaluated and refined annually.
• Exercise direct authority for development and administration of programs and special projects for UI Health's Infection Prevention and Control program in partnership with the Medical Director for Infection Control and in accordance with established standards of practice.
• Direct the day-to-day operations of the unit. Set and implement operational policies and procedures for handling daily administrative matters, such as finances, facilities, and staffing.
• Serve as primary advisor to the Chief Nursing Officer regarding overall programs, management, and operations of the unit, with major program development, program analysis, staff supervision, and policymaking responsibility.
• Assist with the management of resources, determination of staff functions, and development of operating policies for the unit. Review and initiate programs and operations that commit departmental resources, establish policies related to utilization of departmental resources.
• Coordinate and facilitate organizational, financial, programming, and physical planning.
• Serve as the subject matter expert in the field of Infection Prevention & Control. Exercise knowledge and methodology for infection outbreaks and exposures
• Research and define Infection Prevention & Control ideas and issues; recommend actions, pursue solutions, and implement appropriate courses of action. Coordinate with clinical and operational leaders and staff to develop policy recommendations for the Chief Nursing Officer.
• Serve as primary contact for The Joint Commission (TJC) surveys and survey preparations to assure medical center compliance with all infection-related TJC standards.
• Keep abreast of relevant Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois Department of Health (DOH), Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), and National Health Safety Network (NHSN) standards and requirements.
• Act as liaison to campus and university departments and represent the Chief Nursing Officer on committees.
• Serve as a primary contact for University Bioterrorism/Pandemic influenza preparedness as related to Infection Control.
• Plan, assign, and review work of staff to ensure that group objectives are met. Hire, train, develop, and manage staff to ensure that a qualified staff exists to meet group objectives.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) by the Certification Board in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) required.
• Minimum of five years of diverse and progressively responsible Infection Control experience required.
• Excellent communication skills and experience using spreadsheets, word processing, and presentation software required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Epidemiology, Nursing, or Public Health preferred.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.
• RN or other clinical license preferred.