Director, Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology

Job Summary:

This Director of the Department of Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology provides management support to the Chief Infection Control Officer and Epidemiologist and the UTMB Health System. Responsible for managing the technical and support staff, monitoring and reporting healthcare infections, and implementing best infection control practices to protect patients and healthcare workers from communicable diseases.

Scope:

UTMB Hospitals and Clinics, Clear Lake Campus, Angleton Danbury Medical Center, and League City Campus

Essential Job Functions:

• Collaborates with the Chief Infection Control Officer & Epidemiologist in monitoring and reviewing the application of infection control policies, procedures, and protocols developed with hospital departments to ensure compliance with established standards.
• Maintains current awareness of epidemiology/infection control practices, Joint Commission, and state and local regulatory requirements for infection control and acts as a resource/consultant for hospital departments.
• Collaborates with the Chief Infection Control Officer & Epidemiologist in implementing approved epidemiologic protocols for investigating and controlling hospital epidemics and other hospital-acquired infections and is responsive to unanticipated exposures and outbreaks.
• Engages UTMB departments and staff as key stakeholders and participants in infection control.
• Educates UTMB faculty and staff regarding critical concepts of infection control theory, procedures, and policies.
• Communicates confidential information to authorized individuals and/or agencies.
• Collaborates with the Chief Infection Control Officer & Epidemiologist in preparing UTMB Health System for the arrival of Emerging Infectious Diseases by:
• Collaborating with Facilities Operations and Management (FOAM) to create safe patient care in all clinical areas, including the Emergency Department and clinics
• Collaborating with Materials Management to ensure supplies are always available and additional supplies are stockpiled
• Educating healthcare workers about appropriate personal protection measures
• Developing department-specific or procedure-specific policies and procedures.
• Developing specific patient care protocols
• Developing department-specific or procedure-specific policies and procedures
• Coordinating practice drills for the various scenarios in protocols
• Collaborating with the Galveston Emergency Management Coalition to ensure appropriate UTMB involvement in community health decisions
• Collaborating with the Galveston County Health District to ensure proper communication between the two agencies
• Collaborates with the Chief Infection Control Officer & Epidemiologist and UTMB Health Systemin developing strategic and tactical planning for the Joint Commission accreditation process.
• Triages infection control questions and issues where policies do not exist.
• Provides leadership and oversees the management of the technical and support staff
• Establishes and refines quality improvement/quality assurance initiatives. Collaborates with the Chief Infection Control Officer & Epidemiologist in the recruitment, retention, and development of the technical and support staff, including but not limited to interviewing and hiring, performance evaluations, salary adjustments, reclassifications, ongoing training, and discipline.
• Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure; provides mechanisms to monitor and achieve compliance.
• Collaborate with the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
• Collaborate with the Water Quality Program
• Performs related duties as required.
  
  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• The principles and practices of employee development to train, delegate, and mentor staff.
• The principles of finance and budgeting to develop and manage the budget
• CMS, NHSN, and DSHS surveillance and reporting requirements
  
  

Skill in:

• Anticipating and reacting calmly to emergencies.
• Identifying problems and researching and identifying effective resolutions.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, and the public.
  
  

Ability to:

• Plan, prioritize, organize, and direct the work of others.
• Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Work closely with the Chief of Infection Control & Healthcare Epidemiology to maintain high standards of technical competence.
• Lead, develop, manage, and motivate the employee group
• Commitment to collaboration and teamwork in interactions across all UTMB departments
• Effectively manage departmental resources and accomplish goals.
• Analyze and evaluate data and make appropriate decisions, often requiring rapid response.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Public Health or Science focusing on biostatistics and epidemiology and seven years of infection control experience in a healthcare setting or the equivalent.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Board Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in nursing or public health focusing on biostatistics and epidemiology.
• Ten years of experience in a university hospital or a wide-ranging network health system.
• Five years of supervisory experience.
  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity:

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Primary Location

United States-Texas-Galveston

Work Locations

0414 - Clinical Services Wing

Job

Executive

Organization

UTMB Health

Regular

Shift

Standard

Employee Status

Director

Job Level

Day Shift

Job Posting

Dec 12, 2024, 8:54:57 AM