Director of Infection Prevention

Renown Health•Reno, NV

About The Position

The Director of Infection Prevention assists in designing and implementing comprehensive infection prevention programs and interfaces with health system departments on infection prevention, national initiatives, and external reporting. As part of the Quality Department, the Director collaborates with key stakeholders to use infection prevention data to improve clinical outcomes and is accountable for system-wide Infection Prevention goals. The role ensures surveillance protocols are followed and accurate surveillance data is collected, analyzed, and reported, and participates in educational programs, committees, and organizational activities. The Director oversees process and quality improvement teams and coordinates multiple initiatives, projects, and teams. The Director assures the system defines and implements infection prevention processes and best practices to reduce or eliminate hospital-acquired infections, follow appropriate vaccination and prevention strategies, and support surveillance and reporting of infection rates. The role supports clinicians in improving clinical processes and outcomes through timely data, monitoring and consultation on clinical best practices, and reducing variation from agreed practices. This approach supports internal Infection Prevention goals and reporting and regulatory requirements set by agencies such as the CDC, CMS, and The Joint Commission. The Director has the authority of Renown Health to develop and implement policies and systems to prevent and control infections and communicable diseases. The Director, or designee, serves as the infection control officer and develops systems for identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases. In collaboration with system infection prevention physician leads and other infection control practitioners, the Director is directly accountable for system-wide goals, including reducing or eliminating hospital-acquired infections such as central-line-associated bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, MRSA, and urinary catheter-associated infections. The position requires leadership skills, clinical knowledge, and the ability to facilitate and manage complex projects and integrate them within regional resource microsystems in ways that provide value to the regions by reducing infection and improving patient care. This position does not provide patient care.

Requirements

Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English sufficiently to perform job duties safely and effectively.
Bachelor's degree in a health-related field.
Minimum of 5 years of Infection Prevention experience in a hospital setting.
Minimum of 5 years of managerial or leadership responsibility.
Certification with the Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) required at time of hire.
If not licensed or certified, a Master of Public Health degree is required at time of hire.
If the employee does not hold a Master's in Public Health, a license or certification in a related field is required at time of hire. Examples include General Supervisor of a Licensed Laboratory, Registered Nurse, ASCP Registered Medical Technologist, Medical Examiners Respiratory Care Practitioner License, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential from the NBRC, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Doctor of Medicine (MD), or Doctor of Osteopathy (OD).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, and Word.
Ability to use a computer to complete online learning requirements, access online forms and policies, and complete online benefits enrollment.
Proficiency in statistical analysis.
Ability to lead and manage complex projects and integrate projects within existing regional resource microsystems.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Experience with infection control software programs.

Responsibilities

Assist in designing and implementing comprehensive infection prevention programs.
Interface with health system departments regarding infection prevention, national initiatives, and external reporting.
Help achieve system Infection Prevention goals and use infection prevention data to improve clinical outcomes.
Ensure surveillance protocols are followed and accurate surveillance data is collected, analyzed, and reported.
Participate in educational programs, committees, and organizational activities.
Oversee process and quality improvement teams and coordinate initiatives, projects, and teams.
Ensure the system defines and implements infection prevention processes and best practices to reduce or eliminate hospital-acquired infections.
Ensure appropriate vaccination and prevention strategies are followed and support infection-rate surveillance and reporting.
Support clinicians in improving clinical processes and outcomes using accurate, timely data and consultation on clinical best practices.
Monitor key clinical practices and processes and help eliminate variation from agreed practices.
Develop and implement policies and systems to prevent and control infections and communicable diseases.
Serve, or designate someone to serve, as the infection control officer for Renown Health.
Develop systems for identifying, reporting, investigating, and controlling infections and communicable diseases.
Collaborate with infection prevention physician leads and infection control practitioners to achieve system-wide goals, including reducing or eliminating hospital-acquired infections.