Job Summary:
The Director of Infection Prevention (IP), provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for a unified and integrated infection prevention program across all the health system's facilities. The Director is responsible for developing, implementing, evaluating, and continuously improving evidence-based systems to prevent healthcare-associated infections, reduce the transmission of communicable diseases, protect patients, residents, visitors, and workforce members, and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements. Responsibilities include coordinating infection prevention and performance improvement activities; overseeing surveillance, data collection, analysis, trending, and public reporting; conducting system-wide and facility-specific risk assessments; and developing streamlined infection prevention strategies, policies, standards, priorities, interventions, staffing recommendations, and other duties as assigned. The Director establishes consistent system-wide expectations while ensuring that each facility's infection prevention program reflects its services, patient or resident populations, regulatory classification, and identified risks. This leader organizes and leads committees, implements standards within the scope of subject-matter expertise or as delegated, and collaborates with clinical and non-clinical leaders, managers, and other stakeholders to implement effective infection prevention and control measures. The Director promotes and adheres to the organization's Compliance Program and Standards of Conduct and demonstrates the knowledge and interpersonal skills necessary to communicate appropriately with individuals of all ages while respecting their cultural and religious beliefs.
Performance Expectations:
Performance expectations will be covered in the orientation to your job.
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of current regulatory standards and requirements.
- Demonstrates the ability to collect, analyze, and trend infection prevention data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Demonstrates the ability to conduct compliance rounds, monitor performance, and provide meaningful feedback to leadership.
- Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively with leaders and staff.
- Demonstrates the ability to effectively lead, mentor, and develop Infection Preventionists across the health system.
- Demonstrates a commitment to supporting the professional development of IPs, including ongoing education and attainment and maintenance of certification.
- Demonstrates the ability to influence peers, direct reports, and senior leaders regarding infection prevention and compliance measures.
Qualifications:
Education/Skills
Bachelor degree in nursing, or Bachelor degree in medical laboratory science or related field required. Graduate of a recognized non-online RN program required for nurses.
Work Experience:
An individual with previous experience in the area of infection surveillance, prevention, and control is preferred. This person should possess a broad knowledge base and/or job experience in areas related to the application of epidemiological principles and infectious disease, concepts of sterilization, disinfection, sanitation, and adult education principles and practices related to patient care. Effective decision-making and communication skills are required. Minimum of two years clinical experience in an acute care hospital with two months of orientation to the position.
Certification/Licensure-DUE UPON HIRE
- Current License with the MS State Board of Nursing or BSMT (ASCP) or equivalent
- Will consider CIC to be obtained within 1 year for the right candidate
Mental Demands:
Interfaces with peers, patients, public, physicians and personnel daily. Work subject to unanticipated interruptions. Data collection and analysis require focused attention. Ability to perform as a team member, cooperates with others, demonstrate initiative, set priorities, and function under stress.
