Infection Prevention Employee Health Nurse

Infection Prevention Employee Health Nurse (RN)

La Rabida Children's Hospital is hiring an Infection Prevention Employee Health Nurse (RN) for the Infection Prevention department in Chicago, IL

At La Rabida Children's Hospital, our mission is simple: We're dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life for each of our patients with complex conditions, disabilities, and chronic illnesses. The path to completing this mission, however, is often complicated.  Fortunately, we've got the best team around.  If you are looking for your next career opportunity to partner with a compassionate multidisciplinary collaborative team, we have the job for you

Job Summary:

La Rabida is currently recruiting for an Infection Prevention Employee Health Nurse/(RN) to join our Infection Prevention department in Chicago, IL. We are a small children's acute care hospital focused on treating complex medical conditions, chronic illnesses, developmental disabilities, and abuse and trauma. Our nurses are focused on providing exceptional patient care to children while helping families face unique challenges.

The Infection Prevention Employee Health Nurse/(RN) is a split position consisting of two roles. A portion is infection control, and the other component is employee health nurse. As an Infection Control Nurse, he/she is a practitioner in the field of epidemiology, microbiology, infectious diseases, sterilization, vaccine and antibiotic usage, and regulatory requirements. This individual must specialize in recognizing, isolating, and preventing healthcare-associated infections that impact patient outcomes and the safety of healthcare professionals. Responsibilities include being a resource on infection prevention and control matters as it pertains to the care of patients and employees and making recommendations regarding illnesses, immunizations, and infectious diseases. As the employee health nurse, he/she is responsible for annual updates regarding employees' medical conditions and offers advice in matters concerning on-the-job inquiries.

Essential Infection Prevention Employee Health Nurse Functions:

* Conducts routine patient surveillance through the collection of data from various sources: electronic medical records, microbiology reports, nursing huddles, walking rounds, and medical rounds.
* Review patient records for clinical symptomatology correlated with infection reports received by:
* Pre-admission surveillance and recommendations
* Surveying all patients admitted with infections
* Surveying patients who develop an infection after admission.
* Surveying patients for a change of pathogens found
* Establishing and maintaining a written record of all isolated patients
* Determining the incidence of nosocomial infections on a monthly and quarterly basis


* Collect, analyze, and interpret infection control/prevention data.
* Plan, implement, manage, and evaluate infection prevention and control activities including creating action plans and strategies for the prevention of outbreaks.
* Oversees the Hand Hygiene compliance program including data collection, analyzing results with outcomes, and improvement plans with an overall goal of 95% compliance.
* Assists the Medical Chairperson of the Infection Control Committee in carrying out surveys of possible carriers among employees and patients in order to identify sources of infection within the hospital.
* Notifies physicians who have patients with known or possible exposure to a communicable disease during or just prior to hospitalization.
* Serves as an Infectious disease Consultant for healthcare clinicians and for all infection-prevention control activities.
* Participates in environmental rounds to identify infection control problems and recommend solutions.
* Obtains previous health history from all new hospital personnel and volunteers.
* Identifies and reports to the Infection Control Committee, Safety Committee, and/or Department Manager of any potential health hazards.
* Provides oversight for the employee flu vaccination program.
* Interprets employee health policies to the staff and ensures implementation.
* Counsel's personnel regarding symptoms of or exposure to infection.
* Conducts annual infection prevention and control risk assessments (additionally for construction and renovation projects) equipment inspections and pest control.
* Provide a written quarterly report on infection prevention and control activities to the Chairperson and members of the Infection Control Committee, QA Chairperson, and Chairperson of Risk Management.
* Establish accepted standards and develop, implement, monitor, and revise infection prevention/control policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
* Notifies local, state, and federal employees about reportable diseases as required.
* Educates individuals and groups about risk, prevention, transmission, and control of infection, disease-specific care, appropriate precautions, and assessments.
* Ensures that pre-employment diagnostic testing is completed. Informs respective department manager and/or Human Resources department of unsatisfactory results with diagnostic testing.
* Reviews employee incident reports and collaborates with the Acute Care Clinic Physician to determine care.
* Maintains employee health records and updates annually.

What We Need From You:

* Graduate of an accredited nursing school. BSN required, MSN preferred.
* At least four (4) years of nursing experience required.
* State of Illinois nursing license required.
* Certification in Infection Prevention/Control (CIC) preferred.
* Attendance in a course or workshop in Infection Control and familiarity with Microbiology, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, vaccine and antibiotics usage, and infection control regulations required.
* CPR certification required. Only certifications issued by The American Heart Association or The American Red Cross will be accepted.

What you will receive:

* Competitive Salary
* Medical, Dental, and Vision
* Pet Insurance
* Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
* Life & Disability Insurance
* Retirement Savings Plans & Matching
* Tuition Reimbursement
* Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
* Generous Paid Time Off & Holidays
* Free Parking
* Free breakfast and lunch on the last Friday of every month

Who we are:

La Rabida is a place unlike any other. We understand the needs of families with children dealing with the most serious or complicated of conditions. With teams of the best healthcare providers in Chicago, we give continuous, comprehensive care, education, and support, helping families face their unique obstacles head-on

La Rabida Children's Hospital is very proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Conditions of Employment Required to demonstrate full vaccination status for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized or FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine; OR Qualify for a reasonable accommodation for an exemption from vaccine requirements based on a medical disability or because of a sincerely held religious belief. Additional information and instructions regarding how to request a reasonable accommodation will be provided on request at the time of selection

* Graduate of an accredited nursing school. BSN required, MSN preferred. •At least four (4) years of nursing experience required. •State of Illinois nursing license required. •Certification in Infection Prevention/Control (CIC) preferred. •Attendance in a course or workshop in Infection Control and familiarity with Microbiology, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, vaccine and antibiotics usage, and infection control regulations required. •CPR certification required. Only certifications issued by The American Heart Association or The American Red Cross will be accepted.