What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Infection Control & Prevention position at Swope Health?
As the Director of infection Control and Prevention for Swope Health, you will be a part of a team of caregivers that provide care for the people who need it the most. As the Director of Infection Control and Prevention you will be responsible for educating associates about infection prevention and control and make recommendations regarding evidence-based best practices for the development of health system policies and procedures in order to comply with rigorous infection control standards that meet TJC, OSHA, CMS, CDC and other accrediting and regulatory agencies. If you have a passion for educating and helping others, this is the role for you.
Primary Functions:
- Perform an annual infection prevention risk assessment of the organization. Develop an infection control plan based on prioritized risks. Update assessment and plan annually and as needed.
- Review and monitor for compliance with national standards and regulating bodies such as TJC, CDC, OSHA, FDA, and HCFA regarding infection control standards and make recommendations for changes/improvement.
- Evaluate SHS policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control and make recommendations for revisions.
- Develop new policies as needed and submit to leadership for approval.
- Maintain references for infection prevention and control as recommended by accrediting and regulatory agencies.
- Attend/obtain ongoing education regarding infection prevention and control and disseminate information as appropriate. (as recommended by accrediting and regulatory agencies).
Surveillance:
- Monitor for and investigate infections that are reported by associates, laboratory and pharmacy.
- Conduct environmental rounds throughout SHS, report findings and make recommendations regarding changes/improvement and compliance with SHS policies.
- Consult with associates regarding reporting and documentation of reportable diseases and conditions to appropriate public health agencies.
- Monitor reports of biological indicators (for autoclaves) and report issues to appropriate staff.
- Collect documentation regarding hand hygiene audits, calculate compliance and report to appropriate staff and leadership.
- Calculate compliance with TB testing and report to Human Resources.
- Calculate compliance with associate influenza vaccination and report to Human Resources.
- Report to Human Resources regarding associates that are required to wear a mask during flu season.
- Monitor for and investigate infectious employee illnesses and trends that are reported by associates, supervisors, managers and directors. Disseminate information regarding appropriate infection prevention measures.
Education:
- Plan, organize and develop educational programs related to infection prevention and control and deliver to applicable associates.
- Provide orientation to all new employees, contractors, students and volunteers regarding infection prevention and control. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Standard precautions
- Personal protective equipment
- Methods of transmission
- Hand Hygiene
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Biohazard waste
- Spill kits
- Influenza vaccination program
- TB testing program
- Infection prevention policies
- inform/educate clinic staff and providers regarding diseases/clusters/outbreaks/events occurring in the community.
- Develop competencies in collaboration with Swope Education regarding:
- Cleaning of environment
- Cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment
- Personal protective equipment
- Transmission based precautions
- TB testing, reading, interpreting and assessment (for appropriate staff).
- Educate appropriate staff
- Develop and deliver annual education regarding infection prevention and control and bloodborne pathogens.
- Act as a resource/consultant for sterile processing and high-level disinfecting staff. Assist with the development and validation of competencies.
Performance Improvement:
- Participate in quality/performance improvement activities related to infection prevention and control as requested.
- Participate in regularly scheduled EOC and Leadership meetings and disseminate information/recommendations regarding infection prevention and control.
Management:
- Function in a supervisory role over the Employee Health Injection Nurse (EH).
- This includes training, supervising, payroll, and corrective action.
Other duties as assigned:
- Act as a resource/consultant for the person(s)/clinic/department designated by the DON and/or CMO to be responsible for the administration, reading, interpretation and evaluation of all associate TB tests.
- Act as a resource/consultant for the person(s)/clinic/department designated by the DON and/or CMO to be responsible for all associate influenza vaccinations.
- Act as a resource/consultant to Facilities Management regarding environmental services.
- Act as a resource/consultant to Facilities Management regarding emergency planning and disaster preparedness as they relate to infection prevention.
- Act as a resource/consultant for associates involved with constructions projects and make recommendations regarding issues related to infection prevention.
Successful Candidates Will Have
- Current Registered Nurse licensure with a Bachelor of Science; Masters in Public Health (MPH) or other healthcare related field master's required.
- 3-5 years of experience in Infection Prevention and Control required.
- Certification in Infection Control (CIC).d
- Ongoing certification maintained throughout employment
- Current and ongoing membership and participation in the national Association for Professionals in Infection Control
(APIC) and the local Kansas City APIC chapter. This includes attendance at national, state and local conferences related to Infection Prevention and Control
About Swope Health Services:
Each year, Swope Health serves over 45,000 patients, encompassing more than 200,000 visits in four counties on both sides of the state line. Our team members are proud of the work we do and the promise we've made – delivering coordinated care that values the needs of the whole person and championing better health in our community.
Swope Health is a special place that cares for the people who need it most, wherever they are in the community. As part of our promise to battle health inequities and provide high-quality, comprehensive care, we make care visible. That means we proudly deliver our promise through every action, every day.
Swope Health Services supports its team members with:
- Medical benefits (including a Health Savings Account option), dental and vision
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Company-paid benefits such as life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Account
- Paid Days Off beginning at 12 days annually, effective the first day of employment
- Eight annual company-paid holidays; One annual paid personal day
Swope Health is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
