Infection Prevention & Training Unit Manager (Public Service Administrator, Opt.6)

Agency Marketing Statement

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is tasked with the oversight of communities within Illinois to achieve and maintain optimal health and safety. With an annual budget of over $2 billion in state and federal funds, 7 regional offices, 3 laboratories and over 1,200 employees, IDPH is equipped to fulfill its mission of protecting the health and wellness of the people of Illinois through the prevention, health promotion, regulation and control of disease and injury.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is seeking a Manager for its Infection Prevention and Training Unit within the Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program. Plans, directs, and implements quality improvement initiatives to promote appropriate infection prevention and control practices in healthcare facilities across the state. Provides technical assistance to healthcare facilities to improve surveillance and case reporting for HAIs. Participates in developing grant applications for the HAI/AR Program and provides programmatic oversight for grants related to building healthcare facility infection prevention and control capacity and capability. Engages with Department staff and external groups on Infection Prevention & Control data reports and public reporting. Serves as working supervisor.

Job Responsibilities

Serves as Unit Manager for the Infection Prevention and Training Unit.
• Establishes quarterly and annual goals and objectives for quality improvement activities to address healthcare associated infections (HAI) in consultation with section leadership and alignment with state and national priorities.
• Directs and oversees implementation of HAI quality improvement collaboratives and campaigns.
• Reviews and applies surveillance and other data to plan and evaluate program activities.
• Evaluates ongoing program operations and procedures providing modifications as warranted in connection with State and Federal legislative mandates and guidelines.
• Recommends, implements, and participates in evaluation of policies related to HAE prevention in collaboration with section and division leadership and other stakeholders.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with quality improvement and infection prevention stakeholders at the community, state, and national levels to monitor current and emerging issues and promote alignment of work with partners.
• Participates in workgroups related to HAI quality improvement and infection prevention.

Job Responsibilities (continued)

Provides technical assistance to healthcare facilities to improve surveillance and case reporting for HAIs.
• Travels to perform in-person and occasionally remote validation of HAI data submitted to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).
• Develops facility-specific recommendations and reports based on validation results.
• Collaborates with other program staff to develop and implement trainings to improve HAI case classification and address other NHSN reporting challenges.
• Facilitates efforts to onboard new healthcare facilities to NHSN.

Job Responsibilities (continued)

Provides technical assistance and consultation related to infection prevention and control.
• Provides oversight in planning and implementation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Project Firstline to train frontline healthcare workers.
• Serves as subject matter expert on quality improvement strategies for healthcare facility infection prevention and control programs.
• Oversees and performs infection control assessments and response, using data to target facilities.
• Collaborates with healthcare facilities to evaluate infection control risks and identify control measures specific to those needs.
• Participates in intra-departmental planning, guidance development, and policymaking to improve infection prevention capability and capacity across healthcare settings, in line with state requirements and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
• Assists with statewide infection prevention and control policy and procedure review, including updating policies as needed based on regulatory standards and evidence-based guidelines.

Job Responsibilities (continued)

Serves as working supervisor:
• Assigns and reviews work
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff
• Counsels staff regarding work performance
• Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs
• Establishes annual goals and objectives
• Approves time off
• Prepares and signs performance evaluations

Participates in developing grant applications for the HAI/AR program.
• Develops workplans and performance reports in line with program priorities and federal grant requirements.
• Provides programmatic oversight for assigned grants and contracts.

Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably in public health, microbiology, health sciences, or related field.
• Requires three years of progressively responsible professional experience in a healthcare or public health organization related to infection prevention and control, patient safety, or healthcare quality improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Certification in Infection Control (CIC).
• Three years of experience organizing, planning, and managing multiple projects with high attention to deadlines.
• Two years of experience communicating both verbally and in writing.
• Extensive knowledge of healthcare quality improvement methods.
• Two years of experience planning and/or implementing educational activities targeting healthcare personnel.
• Extensive knowledge of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting requirements.
• Two years of supervisory experience.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a valid driver's license.
• Requires the ability to travel.