System Director Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention

UCSF•Brisbane, CA

9d•$154,700 - $375,300

About The Position

The Director of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention (HEIP) directs infection prevention activities for UCSF Health and its licensed facilities in partnership with the HEIP Medical Directors for adult and pediatric services, within a dyad leadership structure. Under the general direction of the Vice President for Quality and Patient Safety, the Director provides expertise, strategic direction, leadership, planning, organization, and general management for all aspects of HEIP at UCSF Health. The position oversees the institutional Infection Prevention program for adult and pediatric populations across UCSF Health hospitals, institutes, and licensed ambulatory services. It establishes structures for around-the-clock operational planning and consultation; ensures prompt responses to infection-prevention questions and accurate, timely surveillance reporting; and directs compliance with accreditation, certification, and regulatory requirements. The Director provides oversight to the Field Unit and Surveillance and Clinical Analytics Unit managers and manages assets within a $4.6 million budget. The Director works with Quality and Safety and other organizational partners to align regulatory, quality, risk, and patient-safety initiatives. The role also leads infection-prevention preparedness for epidemic and pandemic responses, including emerging and high-consequence pathogens; develops partnerships throughout the organization; represents HEIP in institutional and public forums; liaises with local and state public-health programs; and recruits and develops a skilled, diverse, and engaged team. The Department of Quality & Safety includes Adult Quality & Safety, Benioff Children’s Hospitals Quality & Safety, Hospital Epidemiology & Infection Prevention, Regulatory Affairs, Health Equity, and Clinical Documentation Integrity. Its multidisciplinary teams support UCSF Health in delivering safe, equitable, high-quality care.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Nursing, Business Administration, Health Care Administration, Public Administration, or another health-related field.
At least five years of experience in infection-prevention management.
Certification in Infection Prevention.
Comprehensive knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and legislative, accreditation, licensing, and compliance environments.
Project-management, interpersonal, and communication skills to convey complex information and instructions verbally and in writing and foster teamwork, quality, and achievement of objectives.
Service in leadership roles in local and national professional organizations.
Strong leadership and fiscal-management skills, with the ability to foster goal-oriented teamwork, collaboration, and consistent achievement of objectives.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify system vulnerabilities and develop and apply innovative solutions.
Strong hospital-management experience and advanced expertise in infection prevention, quality-improvement methodologies, and management in an academic facility.
Leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills to promote, support, and introduce infection-prevention systems and processes across a broad range of departments.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely to staff, management, and outside personnel, and to motivate, influence, and persuade others.
Ability to organize, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and assign work efficiently.

Nice To Haves

Clinical license in a healthcare-related field.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning and design of system-wide infection-prevention activities with the HEIP Medical Directors, including setting institutional priorities and developing and shepherding approval of the annual infection-prevention plan.
Acquire, interpret, and communicate current science concerning infection-prevention requirements and standards.
Lead planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of institutional infection-prevention improvement projects commissioned by the Infection Prevention Committee and related committees.
Collaborate with HEIP Medical Directors, unit managers, and institutional leaders to align infection-prevention, quality, and patient-safety goals and initiatives.
Direct compliance activities and responses to policies, systems, processes, and staff training for accreditation and certification surveys and site visits; lead investigation and follow-up of infection-related complaints and findings.
Oversee development, evaluation, acquisition, implementation, and integrity of data systems for regulatory and institutional reporting, integration with institutional analytics, and conversion of data into actionable information.
Lead development, evaluation, acquisition, and implementation of educational materials supporting infection-prevention strategies for patients, students, staff, and faculty.
Recruit, develop, retain, and manage departmental staff, maintaining an engaged team.
Direct staff assignments, activities, and time to carry out annual-plan priorities efficiently and effectively.
Communicate infection-prevention policies and information across the organization; represent HEIP on interdisciplinary committees and advise senior management on infection-prevention-related safety.
Maintain professional contacts through local, state, national, and international associations and participate in shared leadership for the UCOP Healthcare Epidemiology Collaborative.
Direct and prioritize the institutional Infection Prevention program for adult and pediatric populations across UCSF Health facilities and licensed ambulatory services.
Create a structure for daily, 24-hour planning, organization, direction, control, and consultation of department operations.
Ensure prompt responses, information exchange, and resolution of questions about UCSF Health infection-prevention policies and practices.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting of mandated legal, regulatory, and institutional infection-related surveillance data.
Direct compliance with Joint Commission infection-prevention standards, CDPH reporting regulations, CMS Conditions of Participation, and applicable requirements for hospitals, transplant services, ESRD, and laboratory programs.
Provide direction to managers overseeing the Field Unit and Surveillance and Clinical Analytics Unit personnel.
Manage departmental assets within a $4.6 million budget.
Collaborate with Quality and Safety groups and other departments and services to align regulatory, quality, risk, and patient-safety initiatives.
Ensure infection-prevention preparedness for epidemic and pandemic responses, including emerging and high-consequence pathogens.
Develop partnerships and interface with all levels of the organization; represent HEIP in institutional and public forums.
Serve as liaison to the local Department of Public Health and the state Healthcare Associated Infections program.
Perform other duties as assigned.