Responsible for the effective direction, management, and operation of the infection prevention and control activities for the organization, including oversight, training, competency assessment, surveillance, and audits. Ensures compliance and coordination with CDC, county, and state health departments, as well as compliance with Joint Commission (JC) standards, CMS, OSHA, HRSA, and state regulations, outbreak investigation, and overall direction of the infection prevention and control program.

Essential Duties (at least 5 that are non-negotiable duties and are absolutely pertinent to successfully completing the job without accommodations):

 
• Responsible for the day to day operations of the organization’s Infection Control Program.
• Ensures that the organization’s Infection Control Program conforms with CDC guidelines and recommendations and other accrediting or regulatory standards and regulations.
• Responsible for maintenance and updating the organization’s Infection Control Manual.
• Ensures that all personnel involved in infection control activities are appropriately trained and competent in infection control and coordinates the organization’s on-going surveillance of established infection control practices/procedures.
• Performs direct competency assessments of Infection Control Program Trainers and Competency Reviewers/Auditors.
• Supports the standardization of infection control practices through CommUnityCare’s network of health centers/operations.
• Makes recommendations regarding real or potential problems and improvement activities, including appropriate and cost effective solutions to resolve them.
• As directed, may participate in and/or lead committees related to and directly impacted by infection control.
• Supports organizational quality improvement initiatives with data support, analysis, and internal consulting.
• Develops policies and procedures that support key infection prevention and control functions.
• Acts as a resource for team members and leaders for all infection control related activities.
• Identifies, investigates, and reports health care associated infections among patients and team members.
• Maintains documentation of surveillance and audit activities.
• Provides infection prevention orientation and other in-service programs related to infection prevention.
• Collaborates and works with the Employee Health Nurse to provide direction regarding team member health issues, such as exposures, communicable diseases, or other infection prevention or control related issues.
• Collaborates and reports to appropriate agencies and regulatory agencies.
• Complies with the organization’s core values.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills necessary to interact in a professional manner with customers.
• Demonstrates leadership, creativity, and management skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret contracts, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports and other forms of correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present verbal and/or written information.
• Ability to respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, rates and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical tools for analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to create and interpret various charts and graphs to present in understandable format.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs).
• Computer and systems competency in the following areas: Enters data, retrieves data, assembles and organizes data, uses and analyzes data. Integrates diverse sources of data.
• Knowledge of CDC, county, and state health departments rules and regulations, as well as JC, CMS, OSHA, HRSA, and state-regulations.
• Knowledge and skills of applying quality improvement tools and techniques including statistical process control.

People Management/Department Management/Business Unit Management:

• Develops, implements, and executes departmental initiatives, goals and programs.
• Adheres to all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Develops, implements, and oversees infection control processes and programs to meet and support the departmental and organizational strategic plan.
• Selects personnel for hire and promotion; takes appropriate actions regarding counseling, disciplinary actions, demotions, and terminations.
• Directs, supports, and coaches’ direct reports.
• Responds proactively to employee needs and concerns.
• Develops “experts” and “expertise” within the Infection Control Program team as directed, and seeks employee input.
• Facilitates consensus among divergent groups.
• Minimizes staff turnover.
• Acknowledges and rewards employees’ strengths and accomplishments.
• Evaluates assigned staff performance and competency, providing direct feedback.
• Assesses learning needs, develops competency plans and provides opportunities for learning.

MINIMUM EDUCATION:

Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or equivalent degree.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

Three (3) years in Infection Control

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURE:

Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from APIC or CBIC