INF CONTROL SURVEILLANCE TECH

Riverside Healthcare in Kankakee, Illinois, is seeking a detail-oriented and knowledgeable Infection Control Surveillance Technician to join our infection prevention team. The Infection Control Surveillance Technician will be responsible for assisting in monitoring, analyzing, and reporting infection data to ensure compliance with infection control standards and to promote a safe healthcare environment. This role requires a strong understanding of infection control practices, data management, and the ability to work collaboratively with clinical staff to implement effective infection prevention strategies and ability to perform as secretarial support for the QI Department. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Assist with ongoing surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) within the hospital, utilizing established protocols and guidelines.
• Assist with collection, data entry, as well as analyze, and interpret infection data to identify trends, outbreaks, and areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with the Quality Improvement and healthcare team to implement infection prevention measures and ensure adherence to infection control policies and procedures.
• Assist in the development and implementation of infection control education and training programs for hospital staff.
• Assist with preparing for meetings, preparing agendas and reports, as well as taking meeting minutes.  
• Participate in infection control audits and assessments to evaluate compliance with infection prevention practices.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of infection surveillance activities and outcomes in accordance with regulatory requirements in appropriate data bases and in policy and procedure data base.  
• Stay current with local, state, and federal infection control regulations and guidelines, as well as best practices in the field.

Non-essential Duties

• Assist in the development of infection control policies and procedures based on evidence-based practices.
• Participate in research activities related to infection prevention and control.
• Engage in community outreach programs to promote infection prevention awareness.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to enhance interdisciplinary infection control initiatives.\"

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience in infection control, epidemiology, or a clinical healthcare setting is preferred.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control standards, guidelines, and best practices.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data management and reporting.

Required Licensure/Education

• High School Diploma required
• Associate Infection Prevention and Control (AIPC) Certification preferred, candidate must be will to obtain certification within two years. 

Preferred Education

• Associates degree in a healthcare-related field; Bachelors degree in Nursing, Public Health, or a related discipline preferred.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements:

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Copy machine toner, white out
• Video Display Terminals: Extreme
• Blood and Body Fluids: None
• TB or Airborne Pathogens:

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate during presentations/training, telephone communication, facilitate meetings, communication with employees, physicians, hospital personnel, patients, families.
• Vision: Needed to read memos and literature, computer input and computer screen.
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of electrical/fire safety.
• Hearing: Needed for telephone communication, meetings, alarms and listening to employee/patients & staff, PA system announcements.
• Touch: Needed to write, computer entry, filing.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 90%
• Twist: 0%
• Stand: 10%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 2%
• Kneel: 0%
• Lift: 1%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 5%
• Climb: 0%
• Bend: 4%
• Reach above shoulders: 2%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

• Put supplies away. Sometimes requires putting supplies on shelves overhead. May have to carry 20' to put supplies away. In emergency, could carry fire extinguisher down/up 5 flights of steps and several hundred yards.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 300
• Twist: 0
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 15
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 3
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 3
• Climb: 0
• Bend: 25
• Reach above shoulders: 15

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp up to 10 lbs. 
• Normal weight: 5-10# often
• Pushing & pulling Normal weight: occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Computer entry, phone dialing, writing, using calculator, typing.

Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: None

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards:

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours : 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal range
• Atmosphere:
• Special Hazards: None
• Protective Clothing Required: None