Manager, Infection Prevention

Infection Prevention Manager

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Under the direction of the VP Quality and Risk Management, the Manager of Infection Prevention coordinates the comprehensive organization wide Infection Prevention Program in accordance with current requirements of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS) organizational policies and procedures, regulatory, Federal government / California State, accreditation and licensing agencies. The Manager is responsible for daily twenty four (24) hour planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of daily operations in order to support an environment that provides individualized quality patient care and supports SVMHS philosophies. The Manager will lead staff to a model of professional practice environment by: providing competent staff, encouraging a strong interdisciplinary team collaboration and communication; supporting autonomy and accountability; providing staff opportunities for in-service education and formal education; stressing the importance of continuous learning; and supporting a culture where concern for the patient is paramount. The Manager will serve as a resource person for the hospital and community through direct consultation, recommendations and education offerings; serves patient safety by managing staff, developing and enforcing infection prevention policies and to provide a safe and healthy environment for patients, healthcare workers and visitors. Responsible for the planning, development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of the healthcare system wide Infection Prevention Program. Coordinates, trains and educates the Infection Prevention department staff; advises, implements and evaluates measures necessary to prevent the spread of infections with the hospital, healthcare system and community using evidence-based information and expert opinion. The Manager promotes patient safety and reduces costs associated with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). The Manager is responsible for timely and accurate review and submission of HAI data and cost-effective prevention and management of infection prevention associated risks within the hospital. The Manager assumes fiscal responsibility through preparation of department budget, supports research, participates in strategic planning (both long and short-term), and assures patient advocacy.

1. Maintains current knowledge of infection prevention control (IPC) evidence-based practice (EBP) for hospital acquired infections (HAI) and IPC-associated topics and regulatory requirements (e.g., NHSN reporting criteria; standard- and transmission-based precautions/ appropriate use of PPE; environmental and medical device cleaning (reprocessing), disinfection, and sterile processing; injection and medication safety; aseptic technique and hand hygiene; risk assessment; exposure control mitigation; HAI reduction; occupational health concerns such as vaccinations; bloodborne pathogen transmission prevention; etc.)

2. IPC program management including, but not limited to, creation, implementation, and evaluation of annual Infection Prevention Control Plan; focused and population-based surveillance; epidemiological investigations; creation and maintenance of policies, procedures, guidelines, education, and related forms to ensure compliance with annual plan; and communication of essential plan elements and data with staff stakeholders.

3. Serve as a liaison with local, regional, and state health departments as necessary to meet regulatory data reporting (e.g., NHSN submissions), mandated reporting (e.g., outbreaks), and investigation requirements.

4. Performs environmental surveillance to monitor appropriate processes, storage, utilization of disinfectants and high-level disinfection and sterilization. Routine visits to departments to include the following as appropriate: direct observation of processes and practices with high infection risk, use of isolation, hand hygiene practice. Semi-routine visits to construction areas to assure compliance with ICRA-approved projects.

5. Creates and reviews staff and patient education, policies and procedures, guidelines, etc., on topics such as recommended infection control techniques, infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, use of isolation, and new developments in infection control.

6. Oversees and guides risk assessments and reviews, such as infection control risk assessments, capacity to follow instructions for use on cleaning/ disinfection/ sterilization of new medical devices, etc.

7. Collaborates with employee health, environmental services, quality, and other outside teams to address concerning infections, exposures, and health of employees, patients, and affiliates.

8. Investigates unusual organisms or clusters of infection above expected levels.

9. Participates in quality teams, national initiatives/ collaboratives related to infection prevention.

10. Develop and maintain an infection surveillance, prevention, and control program based on the organization risk assessment and other needs in accordance with state, federal and California State Department of Public Health (CDPH) reporting requirements.

11. Collects, manages and analyzes surveillance data using standardized methodology and defined criteria for HAI.

12. Organizes and maintains surveillance data. Maintains departmental records to be in compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies.

13. Provides written and verbal reports to administration and relevant committees, departments, personnel, and external agencies (i.e., CDPH, Monterey County DOH, other hospitals, etc).

14. Collaborates with employee health personnel on exposure management and immunization.

15. Monitors infectious disease and epidemiologically significant organisms occurring in the healthcare system and in the community.

16. Identifies and monitors clusters of infections and potential outbreaks, and institutes outbreak investigation and control measures as needed.

17. Monitors / recommends isolation precautions according to SVMH policies.

18. Reviews / revises policies and protocols as needed to maintain compliance with regulations, standards and evidence based guidelines.

19. Assists the organization to evaluate and maintain readiness for state and accrediting agency surveys.

20. Continually monitors / evaluates the efficacy of Infection Prevention Program strategies.

21. Collaborates with all departments / units / sites of the system to design and implement strategies to prevention HAI and transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms and other epidemiologically important organisms.

22. Provides consultation services relating to infection prevention to the various departments/ units /sites.

23. Evaluates products, devices, and equipment as relates to infection.

24. Participates in performance improvement activities.

25. Communicates with state, local, and federal departments of health.

26. Works with Engineering / facilities management to evaluate risk associated with renovation and construction and to supply Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) / measures to prevent the spread of organisms during construction.

27. Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) required. Master's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology or related field preferred.

Licensure: Current California Registered Nurse license required.

Certifications: CIC designation via the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) required.

Experience: Ten (10) years' experience in clinical/patient care services required with three (3) years progressive leadership experience required. Experience in MedMind software system preferred.

Essential Technical/Motor Skills: Use of computer requires fine motor skills and precise eye/hand coordination.

Interpersonal Skills:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing to diverse groups and individuals
• Work effectively with administration, employees and medical staff
• Identify and analyze complex departmental (and patient care) issues
• Make independent decisions and provide counsel and advice to administration, employees and medical staff
• Exercise good judgment and tact in providing leadership, guidance and assistance

Pay Range: The hourly rate for this position is $76.07 - $104.59 The range displayed on this job posting reflects the target for new hire salaries for this position.

Job Specifications:

Union: Non-Affiliated Work Shift: Day Shift FTE: 1.0 Scheduled Hours: 40

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!