System Director Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention

University of California, San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Director of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Prevention (HEIP) directs infection prevention activities for UCSF Health and its licensed facilities, partnering with the HEIP Medical Directors for adult and pediatric services in 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 role leads the institutional Infection Prevention program across adult and pediatric populations and UCSF Health locations and licensed ambulatory services. It establishes structures for daily, 24-hour operational planning and consultation; ensures timely responses to infection prevention questions and accurate reporting of mandated surveillance data; and directs compliance with accreditation, certification, regulatory, and reporting requirements. The Director provides direction to the Field Unit and Surveillance and Clinical Analytics Unit managers and manages departmental assets within a $4.6 million budget. The Director works across UCSF Health and with external public health partners to align regulatory, quality, risk, and patient safety initiatives; supports preparedness for epidemic and pandemic responses, including emerging and high-consequence pathogens; represents HEIP in institutional and public forums; and recruits, develops, retains, and manages a highly skilled and engaged team. The Department of Quality & Safety is multidisciplinary and supports 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 related legislative, accreditation, licensing, and compliance environments.
Comprehensive project management, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information and instructions verbally and in writing.
Experience serving local and national professional organizations in leadership roles.
Strong leadership and fiscal management skills, with the ability to foster goal-oriented teamwork, collaboration, and achievement of objectives.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify system vulnerabilities and develop and apply innovative solutions.
Demonstrated hospital management experience and advanced expertise in infection prevention, quality improvement methodologies, and management in an academic facility.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to promote, support, and introduce infection prevention systems and processes across 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 and 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 Infection Prevention activities across UCSF Health in partnership with HEIP Medical Directors, including setting institutional strategy and priorities and developing the annual Infection Prevention plan.
Direct and participate in acquiring, interpreting, and communicating current science related to infection prevention requirements and standards.
Lead the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of institutional infection prevention improvement projects with HEIP Medical Directors, health system partners, and relevant committees.
Collaborate with HEIP Medical Directors, the Surveillance and Clinical Analytics Manager, the Field Unit Manager, and institutional leaders to align infection prevention, quality, and patient safety goals.
Direct compliance and responses involving policies, systems, processes, and staff training for accreditation and certification surveys and site visits; lead investigations and follow-up of infection-related complaints and findings.
Oversee the development, evaluation, acquisition, implementation, and integrity of data systems for regulatory and institutional reporting, data management, and actionable analytics.
Lead the development, evaluation, acquisition, and implementation of infection prevention educational materials for patients, students, staff, faculty, and other organizational audiences.
Recruit, develop, retain, and manage departmental staff and maintain an engaged team.
Direct infection prevention staff assignments, activities, and time to carry out annual plan priorities efficiently and effectively.
Communicate infection prevention policies and activities to operational leaders and all levels of 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.
Ensure timely 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 institutional compliance with applicable Joint Commission, California Department of Public Health, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements, including hospital, transplant services, and ESRD requirements.
Provide direction to the managers of the Field Unit and Surveillance and Clinical Analytics Unit.
Manage assets within a $4.6 million budget.
Collaborate with Quality and Safety groups and other institutional services to align regulatory, quality, risk, and patient safety initiatives.
Ensure institutional infection prevention preparedness for epidemic and pandemic responses, including emerging and high-consequence pathogens.
Develop partnerships across all organizational levels, represent HEIP publicly, and liaise with local and state public health programs.
Perform other duties as assigned.