Job Information
Catholic Health Initiatives Director Infection Prevention in Houston, Texas
Overview
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is an internationally recognized leader in research and clinical excellence that has given rise to breakthroughs in cardiovascular care neuroscience oncology transplantation and more. Our team’s efforts have led to the creation of many research programs and initiatives to develop advanced treatments found nowhere else in the world. In our commitment to advancing standards in an ever-evolving healthcare environment our new McNair Campus is designed around the human experience—modeled on evidence-based practices for the safety of patients visitors staff and physicians. The 27.5-acre campus represents the future of healthcare through a transformative alliance focused on leading-edge patient care research and education. Our strong alliance with Texas Heart® Institute and Baylor College of Medicine allows us to bring our patients a powerful network of care unlike any other. Our collaboration is focused on increasing access to care through a growing network of leading specialists and revolutionizing healthcare to save lives and improve the health of the communities we serve.
Oversees a multi-campus Infection Prevention program. Directs all infection prevention related activities associated with surveillance, performance improvement, and education, which are intended to ensure that the facility’s patients, personnel, and visitors will be protected from transmission of diseases and infection within the facility’s environment, as identified in the core competency model by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
Responsibilities
Responsible for the oversight of daily operations of the infection Prevention Department and Employee Health in regards to the facility compliance with Hospital Accreditation Standards, State and CMS regulations. Identifies and implements updates to the Infection Prevention Program when new regulations and/or professional guidelines are published. Serves as the content expert in all infection prevention matters in support of clinical staff, performance improvement teams and hospital committees.
Ongoing assessment and development of programs, policies and procedures, and forms to address the infection prevention needs of employees, volunteers, contract workers, independent contractors, physicians, registry workers and students in accordance with the guidelines established by the regulatory agencies. Develops and operationalizes the Infection Prevention Program’s annual risk assessment, annual plans, and annual evaluations. Identifies and implements updates to the Infection Prevention Program when new regulations and /or professional guidelines are published.
Tracks financial impact of reported hospital acquired infections and provides stewardship of resources while promoting maximum patient outcomes, costs, and quality of care for all served. Maintains current knowledge of infection prevention professional society guidelines, best practices and regulatory requirements as demonstrated by attending infection prevention conferences and workshops, reviewing current infection prevention literature, guidelines and national standard and networking with Health System and external Infection Prevention Specialists.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Science (Microbiology, Biology, Nursing, Public Health
An active Texas state license of practice is required for a Registered Nurse (RN)
or
Clinical Lab Scientist.
Certification in Infection Prevention and Control by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) to be obtained during the first two (2) years of hire.
Required Experience:
Minimum of three (3) years clinical experience in Nursing, Microbiology, Biology, or Public Health.
Two (2) years of experience as an Infection Preventionist in an acute care facility.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Training:
Demonstrates breadth and/or depth of professional/technical skills and capabilities required for the position; shares knowledge; sets or contributes to the Company’s direction within area of expertise.
Knowledge of types, methods, tools and techniques used in infection prevention and control; ability to impede the spread of
infection and disease.
Able to lead RCAs for HAIs and implement action plans.
Knowledge of federal, state and local healthcare related laws and regulations; ability to comply with these in healthcare practices and activities.
Knowledge of current professional society guidelines.
Able to perform literature reviews to support performance improvement and practice changes.
Ability to assess a situation from an infection prevention perspective and recommends appropriate action within scope of responsibility to ensure safe and quality patient care.
Ability to recognize, develop and provide educational programs on infection prevention for all levels of personnel to improve their infection prevention knowledge base and practice.
Knowledge of effective self‐management practices and ability to manage multiple concurrent objectives, projects, groups, or activities, making effective judgments as to prioritizing and time allocation.
Actively seeks professional growth, demonstrates professionalism, and exhibits a good working rapport in all interpersonal interactions with departmental staff, healthcare personnel, contract workers, patients and visitors and community agencies.
Strong professional, organizational and interpersonal skills for working with teams, physicians, committees and senior management
Excellent communication skills (oral and written), presentation style, including the ability to concisely present data to leaders, clinicians and staff at all levels of the organization.
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Pay Range
$49.20 - $71.34 /hour
We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.