BOUNTY DESCRIPTION
Industry: Healthcare / Health Services
Job Category: Medical / Health – Administration

Job Summary:
In accordance with evidence-based epidemiological and infection prevention methods, standards, regulations and strategies identified by the CDC, NIOSH and other advisory and regulatory bodies, the Area Director of Infection Control is responsible for the development of a comprehensive Infection Control Plan for both our hospital and Redwood Memorial Hospital (RMH), and as such is the Infection Control Officer for SJE and RMH. The Area Director, in collaboration with the Infection Control Committee, is responsible to ensure that infection control and sepsis reduction policies and practices are developed; that a staff education plan is provided; and that departmental monitoring activities are in place to ensure consistent and safe practices. The Area Director is responsible for providing leadership for the Surgical Infection Prevention (SIP) initiative, the Values Imperative initiative on Sepsis reduction, ensuring that Environment of Care Rounds effectively evaluate IC departmental practices, and for collaborating with the Director of Pharmacy on the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. The incumbent reports to the Regional Director of Quality/Risk and Compliance. Reporting to this individual are the SJE and RMH Infection Control Nurses.

Essential Functions:
In collaboration with the Infection Control Committee, establishes a hospital-wide Infection Control Plan, which includes delineation of relevant policies and practices to prevent or reduce infection and sepsis, as well as to ensure that appropriate education to, and monitoring of these policies and practices are provided.
Researches and identifies new trends in IC prevention methodologies and shares with the appropriate audience.
Functions as the hospital liaison to the County Health Officer in regards to County-wide infection prevention policies, guidelines, potential or real community exposures, and the securing of vaccines, etc.
Reviews and updates the IC Manual and ensures that the latest policies are available on CareNet.
Ensures the records and reports are being appropriately reviewed by the IC Nurse to determine evidence of infection.
Assists in determining appropriate bed placement and level of isolation precautions warranted by patient condition.
Attends the Infection Control Committee. Provides data presentations, graphs of trends, monitoring reports, logs, statistical data, etc. as requested by the Infection Control Committee. Responsible for follow up activities associated with committee decisions.
Prepares physician reappointment information regarding surgical infection rates for the Medical Staff Office.
Directly provides Infection Control education to staff, physicians, patients, visitors and the community. Maintains annual logs and attendance sheets of IC prevention and control in-services.
Active member of the Safety Committee and shares EOC rounding responsibilities with the Manager of Employee Health.
In collaboration with the Manager of Employee Health, leads the investigation into potential biohazardous and blood borne pathogen exposures.
Implements and participates in research projects and performance improvement plans to improve patient outcomes.
Participates in and/or facilitates Root Cause and Failure and Effect Mode Analyses.
Assists all staff with continuous regulatory readiness.

Skills:
Basic medical microbiology.
Patient care practices.
Adult learning theory.
Mechanisms of cost containment.
Effective leadership techniques.
Understanding of research principles.
Computer literacy, i.e. accessing internet, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics, flowcharting and e-mail.
Concepts and techniques of performance improvement.
Basic knowledge of statistics.
Legislative and regulatory processes.
Federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to infection control.
Independent decision making and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize.
Effective communication skills and diplomacy.
Principles of employee management

Minimum Position Requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or Clinical Lab Science.
Experience: 5 years experience in infection control in an acute care setting.
Licenses/Certifications: Certification in Infection Control (CIC).

Preferred Position Qualifications:
Education: Master’s Degree
Licenses/Certifications: Completion of APIC certification

National Geographic Traveler calls Humboldt County one of the world’s top ten great places while the USDA declares this area to be “America’s Most Scenic Rural County.”

SJE, located in Eureka and serving the community since 1920. We’re a full-service, state-of-the-art facility with 145 licensed beds including a 15-bed Acute Rehab Unit.

Redwood Memorial Hospital is located in the Eel River Valley in the southern part of Humboldt County and has 46 licensed beds.
Redwood Memorial Hospital fosters a healing and welcoming environment by taking a holistic, patient-centered approach to medicine.

To learn more about our facilities and all Humboldt County has to offer, please visit: www.stjosepheureka.org

Our hospital provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, our hospital complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Other information:
Positions specified as “on call/per diem” refers to employment consisting of shifts scheduled on as “as needed basis” to fill in for staff vacancies.
Security Clearance Required: No
Visa Candidate Considered: No
Full-time
Benefits – Full
Relocation Assistance Available – Possible for ideal candidate
Commission Compensation – No
Bonus Eligible – No
Overtime Eligible – No
Interview Travel Reimbursed – No

CANDIDATE DETAILS
Seniority Level – Mid-Senior
Management Experience Required – No
Minimum Education – Bachelor’s Degree
Willingness to Travel – Occasionally