As a patient-focused organization, University of Utah Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of people through patient care, research and education. Success in this mission requires a culture of collaboration, excellence, leadership, and respect. University of Utah Health seeks staff that are committed to the values of compassion, collaboration, innovation, responsibility, integrity, quality and trust that are integral to our mission. EO/AA

This position is responsible for the for infection prevention and control functions of surveillance for specific hospital-associated infections (HAIs); reporting cases of infectious diseases as required by regulatory agencies; infectious disease outbreak investigation; analysis and interpretation of data concerning HAIs and epidemiologic investigations; institution of infection control measures; and monitoring of compliance with mandates of accrediting and regulatory agencies related to practices associated with the prevention and control of infectious diseases and HAIs. This position is responsible for providing assistance and information to incoming patients, visitors, and staff to facilitate their entrance to or exit from the hospital. This position is not responsible for providing patient care.

Corporate Overview: The University of Utah is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is nationally ranked and recognized for our academic research, quality standards and overall patient experience. Our five hospitals and eleven clinics provide excellence in our comprehensive services, medical advancement, and overall patient outcomes.

• Assists with establishment of standards of infection prevention and control practices that are evidence based and consistent with regulatory requirements.
• Ability to prepare and disseminate reports of HAI data from NHSN.
• Develops, reviews, and revises policies and procedures based on scientifically effective infection prevention and control measures that protect the health and safety of patients, visitors and health care providers.
• Identify and implement advanced infection prevention and control strategies according to specific topics, e.g. construction and renovation, emerging infectious pathogens, antimicrobial stewardship, etc.
• Shares 24 hour responsibility for availability to respond to infection prevention and control concerns by being on-call.
• Assists with the review and recommendation of medical products, ensuring that infection prevention and control issues are considered in making recommendations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to use statistical tools and measurements.
• Is certified by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) in infection prevention and control (CIC).
• Assists with development of annual infection prevention and control quality objectives.
• May conduct research to document information on infection prevention and control problems/issues.
• May assist with control of infectious diseases in the community through outreach to and from other facilities and practitioners.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Demonstrated potential ability to perform the essential functions as outlined above.

• Ability to educate individuals at all levels of understanding.

• Ability to communicate effectively, including written and verbal communication.

• Demonstrated potential ability to develop and implement programs.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and utilize resources to complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner.

• Demonstrated human relations skills.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Health Science, Public Health, Microbiology, or Medical Laboratory Science.
• Certification in infection control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control.
• Two years of experience in hospital or health care system infection prevention and control.

Preferred

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Utah.
• Basic Life Support Health Care Provider card through American Heart Association.
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) registration or registry eligibility.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Employee must be able to meet the following requirements with or without an accommodation.

• This position involves intermediate working conditions in a healthcare setting that may exert up to 50 pounds and may consistently require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving patients or objects. This position may stand for sustained periods of time and/or walk for long distances moving from one area to another. This position is subject to outside environmental conditions.