Infection Control Manager jobs in Columbia, SC

Job Summary

The Infection Control Manager is responsible and accountable for the development and maintenance of infection surveillance, prevention and control activities for Lexington Medical Center patients and staff (Hospital, Ambulatory Surgery Centers/Urgent Care, and Physician practices). Focus is on identification, investigation, monitoring, and reporting healthcare-associated infections. The Infection Control Manager works in direct partnership with the Infectious Disease Medical Director and Specialists to create infection prevention strategies and drive prevention and control initiatives. The IFC Manager collaborates with leadership and clinical teams and individuals to provide feedback and sustain infection prevention strategies.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education: Bachelors or Masters of Science in Nursing
Minimum Years of Experience: 10 Years of Experience in Acute Care;
3 Years of Leadership in Infection Prevention (Can be Concurrent with Above).
Substitutable Education & Experience (Optional): None.
Required Certifications/Licensure: Currently Licensed as a Registered Nurse by the South Carolina State Board of Nursing;
Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology or Achieved APIC Approved Training (will obtain within 2 years of entry into manager role).
Required Training: Experience in healthcare database systems with data abstraction experience;
Demonstrates leadership and teaching abilities.

Essential Functions

• Program Management:
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate the organizational infection prevention control plan.
  • Develop and implement organization-wide infection surveillance, prevention and control policies and procedures that adhere to nationally recognized guidelines.
  • Develop an annual surveillance plan based on populations served, services provided, and analysis as well as conduct regular visual surveillance rounds.
  • Utilize epidemiologic principles to conduct surveillance and investigations.
  • Evaluate and modify the surveillance plan, prevention and control activities as necessary and maintain documentation.
  • Communicate infection prevention and control information and outcome data to various committees and healthcare workers across the organization.
• Design and Deliver Education:
  • Create competency-based training and education of hospital personnel staff, including medical staff, and, as applicable, personnel providing contracted services, on the practical applications of infection prevention and control guidelines, policies, and procedures.
  • Create educational goals, objectives, and strategies using learning principles, available educational tools and technology.
• Regulatory Requirements:
  • Comply with regulatory and mandatory reporting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels.
  • Facilitate compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards and stay current of infection prevention and control regulatory and accreditation standards.
  • Audit adherence to infection prevention and control policies and procedures by organization personnel in the prevention and control of HAIs.
• Performance Improvement (PI):
  • Demonstrates knowledge of current infection control recommendations, events, activities, and research that may necessitate changes in infection control practices.
  • Identifies opportunities for process improvements that promote positive patient outcomes utilizing the PDCA cycle for improvement.
  • Facilitate and lead implementation of best practice processes regarding infection prevention and management through program and project management being an active member of applicable committees.
  • Evaluate research and evidence-based practices and incorporate appropriate findings in routine practice including policies, guidelines, protocols and educational strategies.
• Employee Health:
  • Participate in the development/review of employee health policies related to infection prevention.
  • Assess risk occupational exposure to infectious disease and develop and assist with recommendations related to employee immunization and screening programs.
  • Consult on work restrictions and recommendations related to communicable diseases or following an exposure.
• Professional Accountability:
  • Pursue professional growth and development of required knowledge and skills by attending related workshops, seminars, webinars, lectures, and by a constant review of literature.
  • Complete at least 40 educational hours each year.
  • Advocate for patient safety, health worker, and safe practices.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaboration:
  • Consult and collaborate, as needed, with local, state, and federal public health officials, and community health organizations as well as staff and physicians.
  • Involve multidisciplinary teams to ensure changes are vetted by all stakeholder groups.
  • Communicate and collaborate with the organization’s quality and performance improvement program on infection prevention and control issues and with the antibiotic stewardship program.
• Leadership:
  • Utilize principals of influence, leadership, and change management and bring enthusiasm, creativity, and innovation to practice.
  • Work collaboratively with others, providing direction when necessary while readily sharing knowledge and expertise.
  • Prepare and deliver infection prevention presentations to internal and external groups.
• Research and Implementation Science:
  • Evaluate research and evidence-based practices and incorporate appropriate findings in routine practice and integrate evidence-based practice 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, visual surveillance and meaningful feedback.
• Infection Prevention and Control informatics:
  • Be familiar with infection prevention software and surveillance technology.
  • Collaborate with IT to create meaningful electronic reports and applications to enhance infection prevention initiatives.
  • Compile and present statistical data to appropriate persons/committees.
• Fiscal responsibility:
  • Consider the financial/safety implications and clinical outcomes when making recommendations, evaluating technology and products, and developing policies and procedures.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.