About this role
Program Management
• Develop, implement, and evaluate the organizational infection prevention program. • Surveillance • Develop an annual surveillance plan based on the population(s) served, services provided, and analysis of surveillance data. • Utilize epidemiologic principles to conduct surveillance and investigations. • Evaluate and modify the surveillance plan as necessary. • Develop, interpret and assist with implementation of infection prevention and control policies and protocols. • Communicate infection prevention and control information and data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization as assigned.
Design and Deliver Education
• Assess and address learning needs of those served. • Create educational goals, objectives, and strategies using learning principles and available educational tools and technology. • Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and learner outcomes.
Regulatory Requirements • Comply with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state and federal levels. • Facilitate compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. • Stay current on infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards.
Performance Improvement (PI) • Utilize PI methodology as a means of enacting change. • Define the scope of the project and select appropriate PI tools to aid in efficiency, reliability, effectiveness and ensure sustainability of the initiative. • Ensure that customer needs and expectations are considered in the development of and continuous improvement of processes, products, and services. • Monitor and analyze process and outcome measures to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability. • Participate in PI committees, teams and initiatives as indicated.
Occupational Health • Participate in the development/review of occupational health policies and procedures related to IPC. • Assess risk of occupational exposures to infectious disease. • Develop (or assist with) rates and trends of occupational exposures. • Develop (or assist with) immunization and screening programs. • Apply work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable diseases or following an exposure.
Performance Standards (Job Expectations):
Professional Accountability • Pursue professional growth and development of required knowledge and skills. • Maintain certification and licensure requirements. • Establish at least 1 professional goal per year. • Advocate for patient safety, health worker safety, and safe practices. • Participate in an infection prevention and control professional organization/association (i.e.: APIC).
Collaboration • Consult and collaborate, as needed, with local, state, and federal public health officials, and community health organizations. • Involve multidisciplinary teams to ensure changes are vetted by all stakeholder groups.
Leadership • Utilize principles of influence, leadership and change management. • Bring enthusiasm, creativity and innovation to practice. • Work collaboratively with others, providing direction when necessary. • Readily share knowledge and expertise. • Contribute to the development of less-experienced healthcare providers through education and mentorship. • Prepare and deliver infection prevention presentations to external groups.
Research and Implementation Science • Evaluate (critically) research and evidence-based practices and incorporate appropriate findings into routine practice. • Integrate evidence-based practices into policies, guidelines, protocols and educational strategies. • Identify barriers for implementation and develop strategies to minimize or remove barriers. • Implement strategies to sustain efforts such as audit tools and meaningful feedback.
IPC Informatics • Be familiar with infection prevention software and other technology. • Collaborate with IT to create meaningful electronic reports to enhance infection prevention initiatives.
Fiscal Responsibility • Consider the financial/safety implications and clinical outcomes when making recommendations, evaluating technology and products, and developing policies and procedures. • Use a systematic approach to evaluate costs, benefits, and efficacy. • Incorporate fiscal assessments into program evaluations and/or reports. • Develop and maintain departmental budgets.