JOB DESCRIPTION Position: Manager, Infection Prevention

The Infection Preventionist will coordinate and implement the Infection Prevention Plan of PMC. This includes using effective guidelines and methods to identify, control and prevent nosocomial infections, which leads to continuous quality improvements for all patients, visitors and associates. Success will be determined by the minimization of the spread of communicable and transmittable infections within the hospital. The Infection Preventionist will coordinate and provide systemic education for all employees in infection control theory and practice.

PRACTICE STANDARDS/ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

With the Infection Prevention Committee, creates the system-wide Infection Prevention Plan to effectively prioritize risks and opportunities for improvement in Infection Prevention practices. Plan is updated annually to reflect progress, risk assessment and organizational objectives. Working with Quality and Risk, organizes and leads a constant effort to eliminate patient harm and risks related to infection prevention practices.

1. Responsible for maintaining hospital compliance with regulatory agencies including Joint Commission, OSHA, CDC and the State of NH through updating of policies and procedures as necessary. This includes communicating and educating Department Managers and staff of any and all pertinent changes in practice to maintain compliance. Conducts regular surveillance rounds of the facility as well as affiliated outbuildings and documents any compliance issues until resolution.

2. Develops, implements and maintains a reporting system for communicable diseases, nosocomial and hospital acquired infections, and other reportable infection related serious preventable adverse events. This includes mandatory reporting to NH DHHS, NHSN, CMS and HCA as required. Investigates and identifies trends in reported data and presents analysis and recommendations for improvement to the Senior Leadership Team.

3. Active in Quality Improvement and Risk Management activities, continuous readiness rounds, Case reviews, RCA and Failure Mode analysis as necessary for prevention of hospital acquired infections. Provides clinical expertise to Quality, Risk and Leadership in the investigation of patient safety and risk associated issues through proactive risk assessments, best practice identification and project leadership.

4. Serves as Co-Chair of Infection Prevention Committee with Infection Disease MD and carries out the Infection Prevention Plan. Regularly communicates progress on the hospital's performance and risk priorities relative to the infection prevention plan and leads improvement efforts. Maintains Infection Prevention database and reports trends of concern rapidly to Department Directors with recommendations for improvement. Uses data, direct observation, and Environment of Care and Surveillance rounds to assess the organization's implementation of the Infection Prevention Plan.

5. Educates staff and others on the standards of Infection Prevention to ensure compliance and engagement of staff and leadership. Educates and engages physician leaders, medical staff and other providers in the organization's Infection Prevention Goals and Plans.

6. Assists in keeping Departmental Exposure Control manuals maintained and current. Keeps accurate and organized records.

7. With Medical Director, maintains oversight of dialysis and apheresis programs performance by contracted vendor Keeps accurate records and reports. Organizes quarterly review meetings with vendor and nursing leadership. Monitors monthly water culture results and conducts regular surveillance of dialysis equipment including preventative maintenance reports.

8. Develops and implements a comprehensive hand hygiene program that meets or exceeds organizational goals and objectives. Drives compliance in hand washing with compelling campaign designed to educate and empower staff on this initiative. Maintains HH database and reports trends of concern rapidly to Department Directors with recommendations for improvement. Utilizes physician resources when necessary to maintain physician compliance. Reports issues of serious non-compliance to Directors and Senior Leadership Team in a timely manner.

9. Develops and implements Influenza Vaccination Program annually for all staff including Physicians. Collaborates with HR to enforce policies and procedures regarding use of masks in non-immunized employees. Conducts regular surveillance of non-immunized employees to ensure compliance.

10. With Pharmacy, Physician leadership and microbiology staff, facilitates optimization of antibiotic use. Is an active member of Antibiotic Stewardship Efforts, EOC rounds, SMAT committee and other committees as an Infection Prevention representative. Represents Parkland on state led Infection Prevention Committee through the NH Hospital Association.

11. Provides support for employee health requirements including immunizations, fit testing and potential exposure from blood, blood borne pathogens or hazardous material. Maintains accurate records in accordance with retention of records policies and submits to appropriate manager.

12. Assists all Department Directors and Managers in developing, implementing and updating the infection control practices within their departments. Consults with department leaders in staff competency.

13. Executes the program with little or no supervision. Performs proactive development and monitoring of action plans. Performs regular campus-wide rounding. Provides orientation to the program for new hires and physicians/providers. Provides ongoing and annual education as it relates to Infection Prevention. Monitors effectiveness of education and tools and makes adjustments accordingly. With Quality Department and Department Leadership, coordinates house-wide Sepsis program.

14. Meets Parkland Medical Center standards related to:
• Patient Safety: reports actual or potential medical/health care errors, near-misses or other opportunities to improve patient safety. Participates in safety education, safety, quality and performance improvement initiatives.
• Customer Service/Patient Centered Care: shows genuine concern, respect, and ability to communicate cordially with patients, visitors, physicians, and other employees; is sensitive to customer inconveniences and responds accordingly.
• Confidentiality, compliance, patient/provider rights. Adheres to corporate and professional codes of conduct, Standards of Excellence, HIPAA privacy standards.
• Attendance, punctuality, meetings - Participates in continuing education programs & mandatory education to maintain competence and gain additional skills & documents attendance. Annual absenteeism will not exceed HR standards, attends at least 50% of staff meetings, reads communications.

What qualifications you will need:

Required: Bachelor of Science in Nursing or other health related field, at least one-year experience in the clinical field.

Preferred: Data Analysis skills including the ability to manage data, create reports and identify trends. Demonstrated ability to facilitate process improvement initiatives. Demonstrated computer literacy including Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Benefits

Parkland Medical Center, offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:

• Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
• Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
• Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
• Education support through tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
• Additional benefits for fertility and family building, adoption assistance, life insurance, supplemental health protection plans, auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection and consumer discounts

Learn more about Employee Benefits

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

Join a family that cares about every stage in your career! We are interviewing candidates for our Manager Infection Prevention RN opening. Apply today and a member of our Talent Acquisition team will reach out.