Infection Preventionist 50% – Downtown Campus

The University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Downtown is looking to hire an Infection Preventionist.

The University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Downtown (located at 500 E. Market Street, Iowa City, IA) is a 194-bed hospital that became part of Iowa’s only comprehensive academic health system on Jan. 31, 2024.

Position Summary

To develop, coordinate and supervise activities for the infection control and other assigned concurrent quality management activities in the Quality Improvement Program (QuIP) associated with UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown (MCD) campus. This individual is accountable for decreasing the incidence and transmission of infectious diseases between patients, staff, visitors and the community. They are involved with strategic planning and implementation of infection prevention goals.

Position Responsibilities

• Provides leadership in infection control for patients, staff, visitors, and students throughout the hospital.
• Lead or co-leads the Infection Prevention Committee at MCD
• Investigates outbreaks, communicable disease exposures, and potential transmissions. Monitors communicable diseases and works with the Iowa Department of Public Health and Johnson County Health Department as needed. 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. Enters data as regulatory required into the appropriate application.
• Helps implement guidelines and evaluates practice to ensure that guidelines are applied consistently.
• Teaches and evaluates isolation techniques and Standard Precautions.
• Translates and interprets 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.
• Provides administrative assistance to the Quality Improvement Program Director on matters relating to infection control.
• Assist in infection control risk assessments. Completes Annual Infection Control Risk Assessment and TB risk assessment.
• 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.

UI Health Care Core Values (WECARE)

Accountability: We behave ethically, act with fairness and integrity, take responsibility for our own actions, and respond when errors in behavior or judgment occur.

Requirements

• 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 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing
• Current Iowa RN license

Position and Application Details:

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For additional questions, please contact emilio-villagrana@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: Emilio Villagrana
• Contact Email: emilio-villagrana@uiowa.edu

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