Quality Specialist (40 Hours/Wk Days)

Job description

Overview
Riverside Healthcare in Kankakee, Illinois, is seeking a detail-oriented and knowledgeable Quality Specialist to join our Infection Prevention and Quality Improvement team. The Quality Specialist is responsible for assisting with the monitoring, analysis, and reporting of infection prevention and patient safety data to support regulatory compliance, organizational performance improvement, and a safe healthcare environment. Responsibilities include healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance, infection prevention data management, patient safety event investigation support, patient safety data analysis, and assistance with the complaint and grievance process.
This role requires knowledge of infection prevention practices, strong analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with clinical and operational staff to support infection prevention, patient safety, and quality improvement initiatives. The position also provides administrative and secretarial support to the Quality Improvement Department, including meeting coordination, documentation, and report preparation. The incumbent demonstrates flexibility in assignments and performs duties within their professional scope, training, and competency.
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.
• Assist in preparing and submitting required infection and communicable disease reports to local, state, and federal agencies.
• Collaborate with the Quality Improvement and healthcare team to implement infection prevention measures and ensure adherence to infection control policies and procedures.
• Submit infections/diseases to local health department as required.
• 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 databases 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.
• Order office supplies and assist in coordination of mailroom delivery and pick up.
• Investigate patient safety events and assist with follow-up activities to identify contributing factors and opportunities for improvement.
• Collect, analyze, and report patient safety data to identify trends, monitor performance, and support quality improvement initiatives.
• Support the intake, tracking, investigation, documentation, and resolution of patient complaints and grievances in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.?

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.

Responsibilities
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
• GED or High School Diploma required

Preferred Education
• Bachelor’s degree or higher is preferred

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.
Our Commitment to You:
Riverside Healthcare offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and nationally rated employee well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more so your journey at and away from work is remarkable. Our Total Rewards package includes:
Compensation
• Base compensation within the positions pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift differential, on-call
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits - .5 to 1.0 FTE
• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

Benefits - .001 to .49 FTE:
• Paid Leave Hours accrued as you work

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

Pay Range
USD $20.55 - USD $25.34 /Hr