What are the responsibilities and job description for the Industrial Hygienist position at Jobs@UIOWA Careers?
The Quality Improvement Program at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is seeking a full-time Industrial Hygienist to focus on infection prevention in the healthcare environment. The Industrial Hygienist will:
- Anticipate, recognize, evaluate, prevent, and control infection-related workplace hazards
- Participate in decisions from construction planning through the lifespan of the building
- Use their unique skillset to raise the safety standards as it relates to our healthcare environment to protect the most vulnerable patients
- Identify potential safety risks in order to protect the wellbeing of our personnel
The successful candidate must demonstrate:
- Excellent communication skills to engage with varied teams and individuals with diverse backgrounds and positions around the UIHC enterprise
- Strong work ethic and ability to work in a self-directed, autonomous manner
- Competence in their background knowledge in the field of industrial hygiene.
Direction and supervision for this position is received from the Hospital Epidemiologist and the Director of the Quality Improvement Program.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Coordinates the industrial hygiene work under the Program of Hospital Epidemiology (PHE)
- Develops infection prevention safety plans with Engineering Services and Capital Management throughout UIHC
- Performs regular on-site inspections of new construction to ensure compliance with applicable infection prevention codes and standards.
- Examines air quality in all areas throughout UIHC. Works with the facilities team and PHE to ensure adequate air exchanges to mitigate risk of acquiring pathogens. Ensures that high risk areas meet regulatory standards (e.g. restricted areas including perioperative and procedure areas). Recommends solutions to solve indoor quality issues.
- Examines water quality in all areas throughout UIHC. Works closely with the Engineering Serivices/PHE group on waterborne pathogen mitigation strategies. Provides oversight to the programs developed to ensure timeliness of water filter replacements. Assists with water cultures as necessary as part of legionella investigations or nontuberculous mycobacteria clusters or other pathogens, as necessary
- Reports to the Infection Control Work Group to provide information regarding safety audits, inspections, and findings.
- Provides assistance for complying with all regulatory agencies (EPA, OSHA, CMS, etc.)
- Directs epidemiologic studies to investigate the role of the environment in clusters or outbreaks of infectious diseases
- Works directly with Engineering Services to mitigate bat intrusions
- Provides assistance as needed with water intrusion
- Provides assistance as needed with mold remediation
- Leads efforts to review current usage of PPE and any new available PPE/ technology as it comes to market
Percent of time: 100%, full-time
Work schedule: Some flexibility between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
Location: This position is located at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, IA.
Job classification: Quality & Operations Improvement Engineer (PAF3)
Pay level 5A. To view the entire salary range for pay level 5A: https://hr.uiowa.edu/pay/pay-plans/professional-and-scientific-pay-structure
Benefits Highlights: Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. Complete information regarding the full benefits package may be viewed at: https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits
About the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics:
The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional referral center. Each day more than 12,000 employees, students, and volunteers work together to provide safe, quality health care and excellent service for our patients. Simply stated, our mission is: Changing Medicine. Changing Lives.®
Required Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree with at least three years of relevant experience in the field within a healthcare/hospital setting, and must hold a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH)
~ or ~
- A master’s degree (or higher) with at least one year of relevant experience in the field within a healthcare/hospital setting, with a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH), or must be eligible and preparing to take the examination
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Power Point, Excel and MS Teams
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills necessary to build effective relationships within all levels of the organization
Desirable Qualifications:
- Four or more years’ experience working in the field of industrial hygiene
- Experience within a hospital / healthcare setting and preferably infection prevention experience
Application Process:
- In order to be considered, applicants must upload current CV/resume and a cover letter (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
- Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on November 11, or upon closing.
- Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal and credential background check.
- Five (5) professional references will be required at a later step during the hiring process.
- This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
- For questions, contact Heidi Bodensteiner at heidi-bodensteiner@uiowa.edu
