Job Title: Director of Infection Prevention
Facilities: Community Hospital of Huntington Park and East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital
Job Summary:
The Director of Infection Prevention is trained in hospital epidemiology and is responsible for the surveillance, analysis, and reporting of data required by regulatory agencies; educating employees about infection prevention practices; and the development of policies and procedures to ensure rigorous infection prevention & control standards that meet regulatory requirements. Both facilities employ an Employee Health/Infection Prevention Coordinator who assist with reporting, audits, and other assigned tasks. The Director of Infection Prevention reports to the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at both facilities and works in collaboration with the System Director of Infection Prevention.
Essential Job Duties:
The Director of Infection Prevention is responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the infection prevention programs at two community hospitals, Community Hospital of Huntington Park and East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital. The Director provides administrative oversight for development and implementation of a comprehensive program that aligns with the hospital’s mission and vision and complies with all regulatory requirements. This responsibility may include, but may not be limited to the following:
- Directs the implementation of hospital-wide infection prevention program
- Develop a system for identifying, reporting and analyzing and incidence and causes of hospital acquired infections and coordinate with Public Health Department and other appropriate government and regulatory agencies and for the reporting, investigation and prevention of infections.
- Reporting diseases to applicable county health departments according to the requirements of the State of California. Collaborates with the health department related to outbreaks, exposures and the control of communicable diseases.
- Collaborates with the organization leadership to institute emergency measures to prevent infections such as closure of units, transfer of patients, halting construction and other measures.
- Maintains current competencies as well as updated knowledge in specific area of practices.
- Makes rounds on all units/departments to include evaluation of infection control and isolation practices provide coaching and resources to staff, patients, and caregivers.
- Monitors hospital environment and cleaning procedures; serves as a resource for Environmental Services to guide selection and use of cleaning products and to design procedures that meet requirements for optimal patient care and regulatory standards.
- Identifies and introduces evidence-based infection prevention and control best practices.
- Participates in the orientation of all new employees. Provides continuing educational programs to Nursing and all ancillary services.
- Provides direction to patient care managers and other unit or department leaders in the formulation, review, and revision of policies and procedures for each department and formulates guidelines for the care of infected patients, contaminated equipment and/or environment. Submits new and revised policies to the Infection Control Committee and Medical Board for review and approval.
- Serves as a role model for the Vision, Mission and Values of the organization and fulfills other job duties as requested within Scope of Practice.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in in Nursing or health-related field
- Master’s Degree in Laboratory Science, Nursing, Public Health, or healthcare-related field preferred
- A minimum of 2 years of experience in Infection Control and Prevention or Epidemiology in an acute care setting
Licensure/Certifications:
- Nurses must have a valid, active license issued by the California State Board of Nursing
- Current Certification on Infection Control and Epidemiology