Tiffany Wiksten
Orland Park,Il
Summary
Experienced Infection Control Leader with over 13 years of experience in Infection Prevention and Control in the United States. Progressive experience marked by continuous contributions to the field of Infection Prevention and Control. Career achievements at the local and national level, contributing to the advancement of Infection Prevention and Control in settings across the continuum of healthcare.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Director
The Joint Commission
10.2020 - Current
- Infection Prevention and Control Subject Matter Expert.
- Provide guidance based on clinical expertise in infection prevention through the provision of expert interpretation, guidance, and collaboration.
- Develop and deliver virtual and live presentations on Infection Prevention and Control topics to stakeholders nationwide.
- Assist healthcare organizations in identifying vulnerabilities and improving their performance.
- Support accredited organizations and organizations seeking accreditation to interpret The Joint Commission standards.
Manager
Rush University Medical Center
05.2016 - 10.2020
- Developed, coordinated, and implemented COVID-19 pandemic response activities
- Program coordinator for High Consequence Infectious Disease Unit
- Educated nurses, physicians, ancillary clinical staff, and ancillary non-clinical staff on the proper use of isolation precautions and infection prevention practices in the healthcare facility
- Provided consultation to prevent transmission of infectious organisms in both inpatient and outpatient settings
- Investigated infectious disease exposures and transmission of communicable diseases
- Implemented evidence-based practices in infection prevention and conducted surveillance activities to collect data to evaluate implementation efforts.
- Trained and mentored new employees
- Developed education, policies, and procedures
- Federal grant management
- Participated in research study design and data collection
- Managed process and quality improvement projects utilizing Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
Adjunct Faculty
Loyola University
05.2018 - 08.2020
- Conducted learning activities online using the Blackboard learning management system
- Updated existing lecture content and materials
- Developed new lecture content and materials
- Recorded lectures for online students using Panopto software
- Developed test questions.
Manager
Advocate Children's Hospital
01.2015 - 05.2016
- Coordinated and facilitated the standardization of infection prevention and control practices and policies across pediatric campuses
- Developed education resources
- Analyzed and reported data to internal and external stakeholders
- Monitored compliance with evidence-based infection prevention practices
- Developed corrective actions plans to correct lapses in practice
- Prepared and facilitated meetings
Manager
MacNeal Hospital
07.2014 - 01.2015
- Developed and implemented the facility infection prevention plan
- Created new evidence-based policies and protocols
- Provided education to staff
- Monitored compliance to adherence of accepted evidence-based practices
- Developed action plans to correct lapses in practice
- Prepared and facilitated meetings
- Delegated responsibilities to staff
Coordinator of Epidemiology
Advocate Christ Medical Center
12.2011 - 07.2014
- Educated nurses, physicians, ancillary clinical staff, and ancillary non-clinical staff on the proper use of isolation precautions and infection prevention practices in the healthcare facility
- Provided consultation to prevent transmission of infectious organisms for both inpatient and outpatient settings
- Investigated the exposure and transmission of infectious diseases
- Provided surveillance for hospital acquired infections
- Reported data to the National Healthcare Safety Network and local health departments
- Monitored research for support of evidence-based practices in infection prevention
- Precepted new associates
- Reviewed and update policies and protocols
- Developed staff and patient education
- Issued Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) guidelines for construction projects
- Monitored facility construction sites for compliance to ICRA guidelines.
Registered Nurse
Advocate Christ Medical Center
07.2003 - 12.2011
- Provided total patient care of neonates with acute and chronic healthcare needs
- Assessed patient status, evaluated patient and family needs, and developed individualized plan of care
- Promoted family coping and provided family education
- Served as charge nurse and preceptor to new staff nurses
- Developed a Minimal Handling Protocol and provided education of the staff
- Mentored nursing students during Neonatal Intensive Care Unit rotation.
Education
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Transformative Leadership: Systems
Rush University
Chicago, IL08.2021
Master of Science Nursing - Population Based Infection Control And Environmental Safety
Loyola University
Chicago, IL05.2014
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL05.2011
Associate Degree - Nursing
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL05.2003
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Resource Allocation
- Analytical Thinking
- Program Development and Coordination
- Technical implementation
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- Team Collaboration and Leadership
Certification
- Licensed Registered nurse, Illinois
- Certification in Infection Control, Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology
- Certification, lean six sigma green belt
Activities
- 2024, President-Elect, Certification Board for Infection Control
- 2023, Invited to serve as The Joint Commission liaison to the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)
- 2022, Director, Board of Directors, Certification Board for Infection Control
- 2021, Presenter National Aging services risk management conference – Infection prevention and control: breaking down the barriers
- 2020, COVID-19 Public media resource, live and recorded news interviews, radio interviews and telephone interviews
- 2019, IHI National Forum Poster Presentation - The Impact of Health Information Technology and Infectious Disease Specialist Approval on C. difficile testing
- 2019, AAMC 2019 Integrating Quality Conference Poster Presentation - The Impact of Health Information Technology and Infectious Disease Specialist Approval on C. difficile testing
- 2019, Presenter APIC Webinar - Maintaining Ongoing Ebola Preparedness When the Perception of Threat Has Diminished
- 2019, Recorded Case Study: Reducing C. diff Infections published on the Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society website - Customizing Workflows and Utilizing Data Case Studies | HIMSS
- 2018-2019, March of Dimes, member Perinatal Advisory Committee
- 2018, Presenter HIMSS Davies Reducing C. diff Infections
- 2018, Presenter EPIC XGM session, ClinAC12: PEARLS: Decision Support Tools
- 2016-2020, Chicago Ebola Response Network (CERN) committee member
- 2016, National Ebola Treatment and Education Center (NETEC) Conference, attendee
- 2016, Speaker at the Kane County Public Health Conference
- 2015, Elected to the APIC- Chicago Chapter nominating committee
- 2015, Crucial Conversations course
- 2013, Invited to sit on the steering committee for the Ohio Children's Hospital Solutions for Patient Safety, Advocate Children's Hospital
Publications
- Wiksten, T. (2014) “Standard Precautions”, Chapter 28. APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology (4th ed.)
- Kothadia, S., Blank, S., Campagnoli, T., Rajabbik, M., Wiksten, T., Weston, A., Kniuksta, R., Hayden, M., Gupta, M., Stein, B., Segreti, J. & Lin, M. (2020). Appropriateness of C. difficile Testing With Clinical Support Tool Versus Mandatory Infectious Diseases Attending Approval. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Timeline
Associate Director
The Joint Commission
10.2020 - Current
Adjunct Faculty
Loyola University
05.2018 - 08.2020
Manager
Rush University Medical Center
05.2016 - 10.2020
Manager
Advocate Children's Hospital
01.2015 - 05.2016
Manager
MacNeal Hospital
07.2014 - 01.2015
Coordinator of Epidemiology
Advocate Christ Medical Center
12.2011 - 07.2014
Registered Nurse
Advocate Christ Medical Center
07.2003 - 12.2011
Doctor of Nursing Practice - Transformative Leadership: Systems
Rush University
Master of Science Nursing - Population Based Infection Control And Environmental Safety
Loyola University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Lewis University
Associate Degree - Nursing
Moraine Valley Community College
- Licensed Registered nurse, Illinois
- Certification in Infection Control, Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology
- Certification, lean six sigma green belt
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