Director Infection Prevention

Interested in a career with both meaning and growth? Whether your abilities are in direct patient care or one of the many other areas of healthcare administration and support, everyone at Parkland works together to fulfill our mission: the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to our care. By joining Parkland, you become part of a diverse healthcare legacy that's served our community for more than 125 years. Put your skills to work with us, seek opportunities to learn and join a talented team where patient care is more than a job. It's our passion.

Primary Purpose

Oversees all aspects of the daily operations of the Infection Prevention Department. Develops and monitors the department's key operational aspects, human resource aspects and budget. Actively participates in the development, implementation and monitoring of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program and associated policies. Advocates and nurtures a culture of infectious disease safety; facilitates a safe environment for patients, employees, licensed independent practitioners, students, volunteers, and visitors. Demonstrates leadership as an IP Consultant. Advocates the mission to minimize the risk of healthcare associated infection. Performs duties and responsibilities in a manner consistent with our mission and values.

Minimum Specifications

Education

• Requires a Master's Degree in healthcare or healthcare related field

Experience

• Must have 8 years of professional experience in the area of Infection Prevention to include 2 years of management experience.

Certification/Registration/Licensure

• Must have Certification in Infection Control (CIC) from the Certification Board of Infection Control (CBIC).
• For RNs: Must have current unrestricted RN license or temporary license with the Texas Board of Nursing or valid compact RN license, or ability to obtain within 90-days of hire.
• For Medical Laboratory Technologist: Must be certified by the following:
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) - American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) - Department of Health Services (HHS) formally (HEW)
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) or Medical Technologist (MT) - American Medical Technologist (AMT)

Skills or Special Abilities

• Must have expert knowledge of infection prevention program management, epidemiology, microbiology, asepsis, disinfection/sterilization, infectious disease including data collection and analysis, methods of infection prevention, and recognition and response to biological emergencies.
• Must have advanced computer skills that include proficiency with statistical process control methodology and database management.
• Must have demonstrated ability to successfully implement infection prevention measures in a large complex healthcare system.
• Must demonstrate ability to ensure system-wide compliance with all applicable regulatory and accreditation standards (i.e., Joint Commission, Centers for Medicaid & Medicare, Texas Department of State Health Services) and those authorities having jurisdiction.
• Must have advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel software.
• Must be able to demonstrate exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Must demonstrate effective management skills, including the ability to achieve high performance from assigned personnel.
• Must demonstrate effective interpersonal, communication and leadership skills to lead interdisciplinary teams in the operation of the infection prevention program and surveillance.
• Functions as a subject matter expert and mentor for infection prevention colleagues.
• For RN's only: Maintains standards of professional conduct and performs all assigned and unassigned duties in accordance with the current State of Texas Nursing Practice Act.

Responsibilities

• Directs infection prevention department and coordinates implementation of infection prevention activities in the health system. Oversees surveillance for healthcare-associated and occupational-associated infections. Communicates findings to employees, leadership, medical staff, and Infection Prevention Committee to ensure adoption of appropriate procedures and performance improvement activities.
• Actively participates in the development, implementation and monitoring of the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Program and associated policies.
• Advocates and nurtures a culture of infectious disease safety; facilitates a safe environment for patients, employees, licensed independent practitioners, students, volunteers, and visitors.
• Demonstrates leadership as an IP Consultant.
• Advocates the mission to minimize the risk of healthcare associated infection.
• Performs duties and responsibilities in a manner consistent with our mission and values.
• Using good stewardship, select appropriate staff levels, mix, qualifications, and competencies. Lead department activities, processes, and human resource aspects such as evaluation of staff performance, professional development, staff orientation and training.
• Provides oversight for epidemiologic investigations, including planning, data collection, analysis, corrective action, and evaluation of effectiveness of interventions. When required, ensures reporting requirements to public health agencies is completed.
• Conducts risk assessment for healthcare associated infections, develops and infection prevention plan that is appropriate for the population served and services provided, implements the plan, and evaluates the plan for effectiveness.
• Ensures Parkland Employees are educated about effective infection prevention methods and processes. Develops methods of communicating infection prevention methods to patients and visitors.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines that impact the Infection Prevention area. Ensures policies and procedures are evidence-based and in compliance with requirements of regulatory and accrediting agencies. Ensures documentation of infection prevention activities and findings to surveyors.
• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field of infection prevention by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, literature reviews, actively participating in professional organizations and/or maintaining certification/licensure. Translates knowledge into continual improvement of the department's work processes and infection prevention activities in the health system.
• Leads and provides oversight for implementation of infection prevention initiatives designed to protect patients and personnel. Collaborates with other departments, medical staff, and committees to develop and achieve highly effective infection prevention activities. Utilizes appropriate change models and incorporates High-Reliability Universal and Leader Skills for all infection prevention related process improvement and patient safety initiatives.
• Identifies and analyzes the design of jobs, work processes, workflows, etc., for the Infection Prevention area and implements appropriate changes to improve effectiveness, productivity, and efficiency that support the overall goals of the department and Parkland Health.
• Maintains effective working relationships with employees, management, vendors, public health agencies, medical staff, and other hospitals in order to ensure effective departmental operations. Serves on various interdisciplinary committees as assigned. Serves as a consultant for infection prevention and control on a system-wide basis.
• Develop and monitor annual budget that ensures the department has necessary funds to carry out goals and objectives that have been established for the department.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and revise annual goals and objectives for the department that support the mission and values of Parkland Health.
• Selects, trains, schedules, motivates, supervises, and evaluates employees. Makes recommendations for disciplinary action as necessary, up to and including termination, to ensure maximum utilization of individual and group capabilities. Ensures that assigned employees receive opportunities to further their knowledge and professional growth.

Job Accountabilities

1. Identifies and analyzes the design of jobs, work processes, workflows, etc. for the area and implements appropriate changes to improve effectiveness, productivity, and efficiency that support the overall goals of the department and Parkland.
2. Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.
3. Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines that impact the area. Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans. Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.
4. Develops and monitors annual budgets that ensure the department has the necessary funds to carry out the goals and objectives that have been established for the department.
5. Develops, implements, monitors, and revises annual goals and objectives for the department that support the missions and objectives of Parkland.
6. Selects, trains, schedules, motivates, supervises, and evaluates employees making recommendations for disciplinary actions up to and including termination, to ensure maximum utilization of individual and group capabilities. Ensures that assigned employees receive opportunities to further their knowledge.

#L1-NB1

Parkland Health and Hospital System prohibits discrimination based on age (40 or over), race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, national origin, marital status, political belief, or veteran status.As part of our commitment to our patients and employees' wellness, Parkland Health is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.