Summary:

Oversees and is responsible for the Infection Control and prevention activities by establishing policies, procedures, and protocols which minimize hospital acquired infections within the institution and monitors compliance to assure a top-quality experience for patients. Develops and articulates a short-term (6-month to 1-year) strategic vision for the department, creates and implements patient safety initiatives, and develops long-term plans aligned with organizational goals. Monitors the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies based on surveillance and risk assessment data, initiating changes as needed. Provides strategic direction to drive departmental goals and improve performance. assures compliance with all regulatory agencies and manages the development, design, implementation and evaluation of the infection control and prevention program at Danbury and New Milford Hospital (DH/NMH) in accordance with regulating agencies (CMS, OSHA, State DOH, and TJC). Manages monitoring and surveillance and identifies opportunities for improvement in infection control and prevention activities at Danbury and New Milford Hospital.

Responsibilities:

1. Anticipates potential infectious risks, implements pro-active preventive measures throughout facility. Analyzes risk/data and recommends measures to reduce infectious risks through systemic facility wide strategies. Leads facility wide infection risk identification and elimination initiatives to support hospital compliance with government and agency regulations.

2. Leads site departmental meetings. Analyze workflows and documents best practices to enhance efficiency. Collaborates and develops surveillance tools and electronic databases to manage data and reports to ensure accuracy. Provides just-in-time training when needed to enhance staff growth.

3. Leads and oversees facility wide readiness initiatives for upcoming regulatory reviews. Plans and recommends programs to accomplish objectives. Maintains documents and a survey ready environment. Implements/monitors strategies/actions to minimize recommendations or citations based on the review/survey.

4. Coordinates comprehensive facility audits, communicates significant findings with actionable plans and ensures interventions are achieving desired outcomes. Reports to external agencies when applicable.

5. Actively leads in depth discussions to identify causal factors during a Root Cause Analysis (RCA). Guides facility audits that focus on systemic improvement strategies.

6. Finalizes the agenda and leads the site Infection Prevention Committee Meetings and acts as an advisor to facility leadership on the improvement and development of overall policy/procedure/ guidelines and assesses progress of long-term goals. Aligns training material with organizational goals and standards.

7. Analyzes outcomes and implements enhanced improvement practices from infection prevention rounds, audits, orientation, educational in-services that address standards of care, infection risks, evidence-based practices, sterilization, high/low level disinfection, hand hygiene, instrument, and equipment storage, etc. Extends knowledge beyond the walls of the institution and collaborates with other agencies.

8. Provides direction, guidance and career development planning to site infection prevention specialists and managers.

9. Takes ownership of self-identified goals and professional development. Responsible for performance reviews, corrective actions, promotional decisions, and pay actions for direct reports. Provides guidance and direction to managers as appropriate.

Performs other related duties as required. All responsibilities noted here are considered essential functions of the job under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Duties not mentioned here, but considered related are not essential functions. Fulfills all compliance responsibilities related to the position.

10. Maintains and models the organization's values.

11. Demonstrates regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.

12. Performs other duties as required.

Education Skills Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree Microbiology, Medical Technology, Public Health, Nursing or related field, required.
• Master's Degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Current certification by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC), required.
• 5 years of relevant experience required. 2+ years of leadership/management experience, required.

Working Conditions:

Manual: Some manual skills/motor coord & finger dexterity

Occupational: Some occupational risk

Physical Effort: Medium to Heavy effort. May exert up to 35 lbs. force

Physical Environment: Some exposure to dirt, odors, noise, human waste, etc.

Company: Danbury Hospital

Org Unit: 172

Department: Infection Control

Exempt: Yes

Salary Range: $59.84 - $111.12 Hourly