The Area Director, in collaboration with the Infection Control Committee, is responsible to ensure that infection control and sepsis reduction policies and practices are developed; that a staff education plan is provided; and that departmental monitoring activities are in place to ensure consistent and safe practices. The Area Director is responsible for providing leadership for the Surgical Infection Prevention (SIP) initiative, the Values Imperative initiative on Sepsis reduction, ensuring that Environment of Care Rounds effectively evaluate IC departmental practices, and for collaborating with the Director of Pharmacy on the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.

Essential Functions:
In collaboration with the Infection Control Committee, establishes a hospital-wide Infection Control Plan, which includes delineation of relevant policies and practices to prevent or reduce infection and sepsis, as well as to ensure that appropriate education to, and monitoring of these policies and practices are provided.
Functions as the hospital liaison to the County Health Officer in regards to County-wide infection prevention policies, guidelines, potential or real community exposures, and the securing of vaccines, etc.
Reviews and updates the IC Manual and ensures that the latest policies are available on CareNet.
Assists in determining appropriate bed placement and level of isolation precautions warranted by patient condition.
Attends the Infection Control Committee. Provides data presentations, graphs of trends, monitoring reports, logs, statistical data, etc. as requested by the Infection Control Committee. Responsible for follow up activities associated with committee decisions.
Prepares physician reappointment information regarding surgical infection rates for the Medical Staff Office.
Directly provides Infection Control education to staff, physicians, patients, visitors and the community. Maintains annual logs and attendance sheets of IC prevention and control in-services.
Active member of the Safety Committee and shares EOC rounding responsibilities with the Manager of Employee Health.
In collaboration with the Manager of Employee Health, leads the investigation into potential bio-hazardous and blood borne pathogen exposures.
Implements and participates in research projects and performance improvement plans to improve patient outcomes.
Participates in and/or facilitates Root Cause and Failure and Effect Mode Analyses.
Assists all staff with continuous regulatory readiness

Skills:
Basic medical microbiology.
Patient care practices.
Adult learning theory.
Mechanisms of cost containment.
Effective leadership techniques.
Understanding of research principles.
Computer literacy, i.e. accessing internet, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics, flow-charting and e-mail.
Concepts and techniques of performance improvement.
Legislative and regulatory processes.
Federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to infection control.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize.
Principles of employee management

Minimum Position Requirements:
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or Clinical Lab Science.
Experience: 5 years exp in infection control in an acute care setting.
Certifications: Certification in Infection Control (CIC).
Full-time
Benefits - Full
Relocation- Possible for ideal candidate
Candidate Details
Seniority Level - Mid-Senior
Minimum Education - Bachelor's Degree
Willingness to Travel - Occasionally