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Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Day Shift

Description:

Position Summary:

The Infection Control Manager (ICM) position serves as an integral leadership role of the health care team to provide care for patients with stable and unstable infection control issues, standards, guidelines and treatment modalities. The ICM is an educational resource for employees regarding infection control related issues. The main focus is on helping to prevent healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) by isolating sources of infections and limiting their spread. The ICM is responsible for development and implementation of hospital system-wide infection control policies and procedures.

Expectations of the ICM encompass the following: systematically collects, analyzes and interprets health data in order to plan, implement, and disseminate appropriate hospital and public health practices; and train healthcare staff through instruction and dissemination of information on infection control. He/she is responsible for the identification and communication of infection control problems, assistance to leadership and staff in resolution of problems, provision of staff development programs to increase compliance with established infection control practices, interpretation and implementation of Joint Commission (JC)standard, CMS, OSHA, state and federal regulations, outbreak investigation, and overall direction of the infection control program.

General direction is received from the Director of Quality, who holds the Infection Control Manager responsible for the direction, management and operation of the infection prevention and control department.

**Position Requirements** :

**A: Responsibility:** The ICM plans, develops, directs, implements and evaluates infection prevention within St. Mary’s Health Care System including Home Health Care, Highland Village, Hospice, Outpatient & Physician offices. This includes but is not limited to the following:

+ Working closely with the Infection Control Oversight Committee (ICOC) to implement and maintain the Infection Control program and other related activities in the Athens-based St. Mary’s Health Care System locations Coordinating the assessment of the hospital’s compliance with the approved infection control measures. Leads ICOC and provides meeting updates to the Medical Executive Committee in a timely manner.

+ Assessing educational needs of staff related to infection control; developing programs to meet these needs, including those required by and/ or identified through performance improvement activities.

+ Coordinates, identifies, and analyzes routine surveillance data throughout the medical center; presents surveillance data to appropriate clinical groups; identifies and analyzes health issues and their impact on patient throughout the medical center and maintain records for each case.

+ Coordinates, investigates, monitors, develops, and implements policies and practices in infection control.

+ Trains staff on implementation of infection control practices.

+ Initiates and implements specific performance improvement measures for infection control.

+ Serves as a resource to patients and other staff in addressing ethical care issues.

+ Evaluates resources for implementing infection control measures and acts as appropriate.

+ Integrates findings into an Infection Control Plan for improvement of practice and patient outcomes, serves as liaison to public health officials.

+ Serves as a consultant on infection control issues to all medical center services.

+ Collaborates with health care teams, recommends, and develops new or revised practices and procedures based on currently accepted evidence.

+ Implements infection control strategies in accordance with recommendations/requirements of CDC, OSHA, CMS, TJC, and other regulatory agencies as indicated.

+ Participates in the update and revision of policies directed toward compliance to National Standards with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

+ Assists in problem resolution on infection prevention and control issues as directed by management.

+ Initiates and investigates special issues/focus studies to prevent and control infections.

+ Assists Organizational Leadership with evaluating and getting bids for equipment and other material related to infection control.

+ Makes recommendations on items purchased by the hospital as part of the Value Analysis Committee.

+ Initiate, compile and complete periodic review of departmental Infection Prevention and Control policies as required by organization or external guidelines.

+ Coordinates infection control reports or findings to appropriate agencies

+ Performs an annual assessment and develops action plans from the prior year’s activities.

+ Makes recommendations regarding construction, renovation, environmental rounds, and assures compliance with national and professional standards. Is part of the Construction Infection Control Team (CICT) and Environmental Safety Committee

+ Works with other St. Mary’s Hospitals to develop systemwide strategies, policies, procedures, as appropriate.

+ Performs other related duties.

**B: Knowledge:** Requires general knowledge of current nursing practices and current working knowledge of regulations and requirements that relate to infection control (i.e.,TJC, CDC, CMS and OSHA);

+ Must have a working knowledge of hospital and department policies and procedures.

+ Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices

+ Ability to work well with interdisciplinary teams

+ Ability to demonstrate leadership, self-directed and rational problem solving skills.

+ Ability to effectively delegate authority.

+ Ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing.

+ Ability to effectively delegate authority.

**C: Skills:** Demonstrates effective coordination abilities according to the situation.

+ Manages conflict effectively and constructively as evidenced by continued, positive rapport; is available for consultation.

+ Stimulates creativity and innovation in achievement of goals and objectives for effective infection control by sharing new concepts and ideas;

+ Commends staff for adhering to infection control guidelines.

+ Must possess excellent organizational skills, oral and written communication abilities, interpersonal skills, and ability to conduct meetings and make presentations to groups and individuals.

+ Demonstrates the flexibility to meet a wide range of service needs

D: Licensure/Certification/Registration/Education:

Requires a current RN license to practice nursing in the state of Georgia, Bachelor’s degree preferred, or Masters in Public Health, or certified medical technologist, or a bachelor’s degree in microbiology or epidemiology.

Completion of a recognized Association for Practitioner in Infection Control (APIC) basic infection control training program or equivalent is desired.

Certification in Infection Control (CIC) on hire is preferred, but shall be obtained within 1 year of hire. Computer skills, Microsoft products, research and basic statistical skills is preferred.

E: Experience:

Must have 3-5 years in acute care hospital or disease surveillance experience, with recent experience in infection control responsibilities, experience in management/ supervision, and ability to conduct group/ individual training sessions or in-services to peers and lay groups.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

EOE including disability/veteran