INFECTION PREVENTION MANAGER - Infection Control Dept - Full Time - Days

Sierra View Medical•Porterville, CA

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Infection Prevention Manager, reporting directly to the VP of Quality and Regulatory Affairs and with clinical oversight by the CNO, is responsible for educating, conducting surveillance, and participating in the organization-wide Infection Prevention Programs and its activities. This role involves supporting subordinate participation in the Employee Performance and Improvement process through active involvement in Quality Council activities annually. The position requires working normal/scheduled hours, including holidays, call-backs, weeknights, weekends, and on-call duties. The employee must be willing to participate in emergencies and community disasters as a designated disaster service worker. As an exempt employee, the role may involve working inconsistent or longer hours and may have the ability to work remotely with prior VP approval, requiring a full telework agreement for medical accommodations. The employee has an affirmative duty to report perceived misconduct and must work cooperatively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and demonstrating cooperative behavior with colleagues and supervisors. This role requires the ability to relate to and work with diverse patient populations and individuals, perform Standard Precautions, and possess knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology, infectious diseases, aseptic techniques, and current practices.

Requirements

Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of Acute Care experience in an Acute Care hospital setting or three (3) years in Infection Control.
Familiarity with organization and functions of all departments; familiar with policies and procedures, and regulations relating to Infection Control.
Must have working knowledge of Microbiology, Epidemiology, infectious diseases, aseptic techniques and current practices.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence if required.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages if required.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Knowledge of basic computer software.
Current and valid California Registered Nurse Licensure with Bachelors Degree (MSN is preferred) OR must be a Health Care Professional with a Master's in Public Health, Epidemiology, Microbiology or related field.
Must have and maintain current BLS certification or obtain within orientation process, prior to hands-on patient care.

Nice To Haves

Member of the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, (APIC) or is qualified to sit for the CIC exam in Infection Control preferred.
Possesses certification in Infection Control or is qualified to sit for the CIC exam in Infection Control preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and coordinate the Infection Prevention programs in accordance with current CDC guidelines and definitions, TJC standards and Federal and DOH state regulations.
Ensure program compliance with regulatory guidelines and recommendations.
Provide education to staff, community, licensed independent practitioners, students, and volunteers in Infection Prevention and Health Education.
Conduct surveillance activities Hospital-wide to detect and record all known hospital-acquired infections that occur on every service and in every area of the hospital, and implement appropriate intervention strategies.
Review and analyze cultures and sensitivities reported by the microbiology of patients and personnel to determine if Hospital acquired.
Confer with CNO, nursing and medical staff to determine appropriate implementation of isolation precautions.
Investigate infections, especially those occurring above established thresholds and/or in clusters by patient units.
Initiate cultures and sensitivity and/or ensure appropriate precautions when indicated under the direction of the CNO and the Hospital's policies and procedures.
Provide the CNO/VP with a report of pertinent findings and recommendations pertaining to hospital-acquired infections.
Act as a liaison with the Public Health Department and other local, state and federal agencies, as well as HR, Risk Management, Employee Health, and legal representatives.
Provide information to the VP to demonstrate continuous improvement in measures specific to your department that benchmark the Organization’s performance against national standards and result in maximum reimbursement to the Organization.
Review and complete all accident/injury investigation reports related to Infection Prevention and Safe Patient Handling & Mobility.
Review Sharps Injury Logs.
Provide education to patients/families related to communicable diseases, prevention of disease, prevention of transmission, and explains isolation and Standard Precautions as necessary.