Infection Control Practitioner

For over100 years, West Suburban Medical Center has supported generations of familiesin the Oak Park and surrounding areas. Our kind, caring hospital staff have apassion to heal and make a difference in our community. We understand that our employeesare the heart of our facility. If you are looking for a family atmosphere, acompany committed to professional growth and a culture that embraces our fivecore values of Quality. Innovation. Service. Integrity. Transparency.

General Summary of Duties:

The Infection Control Practitioner serves as a resource and consultant to support the implementation of Infection Control activities throughout the facility. Promotes optimal health care outcomes in accordance with the policies, procedures, philosophy, objectives, and mission of West Suburban Medical Center. Works with Medical Staff departments/sections and all hospital departments to maintain Infection Control activities which meet hospital objectives by providing information to centers, departments, and units.

The Infection Control Practitioner incorporates the curative factors of human care and performs established procedures in accordance with the organization’s and the nursing division’s policies, procedures, and standards of care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Caring and Clinical Performance:

• Plans and implements activities to ensure that Infection Control activities are implemented, and desired outcomes achieved. Reviews and analyzes Infection Control data using established criteria.
• Collaborates with departments, medicine, nursing, clinical and support areas by: (1) identifying; (2) evaluating and (3) analyzing trends affecting quality patient care, outcomes and resource utilization.
• Collaborates with all departments regarding Infection Control principles by:
  • Providing formal and information education
  • Assisting in developing, updating and reviewing area specific guidelines and/or policies and procedures
  • Participating on hospital committees
  • Acts as liaison to Employee Health to identify all significant exposures; collects information, analyzes data for trends. Collaborates with Employee Health in identification of opportunities for improvement
  • Reports and investigates infections and all communicable diseases in accordance with established policy, and requirements of external agencies and Health Departments
  • Prepares analysis of Infection Control data for the Infection Control Committee

Service Excellence and Accountability

• Prepares individuals in the organization for external regulatory agency surveys by assisting in interpretation of regulatory standards, compliance and integration of infection control principles and requirements.
  • Demonstrates current knowledge of external regulatory agency standard/regulations for Infection Control
  • Serves as a resource to the staff and the organization
  • Supports staff to comply with external regulatory agency infection control requirements.

• Demonstrates the ability and the desire to work within a team that has high performance standards.
  • Accepts accountability for own work. Participates in problem solving; developing productivity and quality standards; writing policies and procedures; managing resources cost effectively; educating, evaluating and record keeping.
  • Promotes and maintains effective and efficient working relationships within al areas of responsibility throughout the organizational.
• Assists in development, preparation, completion and monitoring of budget items related to Infection Control.

  
  

  • Demonstrates cost effective approach in terms of equipment, supplies and all other resources.
• Assures security of data and maintains confidentiality of information within the guidelines of the department and organization
• Participates in selected organizational and medical staff committees, workgroups and taskforces as indicated and appropriate
• Participates in performance improvement activities.

Professional Development

• Participates in activities that promote self-development and individual growth.
• Maintains knowledge of changes and developments in health care delivery system and regulatory agencies. Evaluates and updates related initiatives and implements revisions as indicated.
• Represents the organization by participating in professional organizations, continuing education, outside workshops, seminars and meetings that relate to Infection Control.
• Assumes responsibility for professional development by attending educational offerings.
• Engages in self-performance appraisal, identifying areas of strength as well as areas for professional/practice development

West Suburban Medical Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.