Director Infection Prevention

Overview

The Director of Infection Prevention provides strategic and operational leadership for the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) program across the health system. This role is responsible for reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), ensuring compliance with surveillance practices, regulatory and accreditation standards, and embedding evidence-based infection prevention practices across all care settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and ancillary services.

The Director serves as the organization’s subject-matter expert for infection prevention and partners closely with clinical leaders, quality, nursing, medical staff, and executive leadership to support patient and workforce safety

Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Lead, direct, and continuously improve a comprehensive, system-wide Infection Prevention and Control Program.
• Establish annual goals, metrics, and strategic priorities aligned with organizational quality and safety objectives.
• Develops, recommends, and encourages performance improvement activities which are consistent with DCH Operational goals and the changing healthcare environment.
• Provide expert guidance to executive leadership on infection prevention risks, trends, and mitigation strategies

Surveillance, Data & Reporting

• Oversee infection surveillance activities in accordance with CDC/NHSN definitions and reporting requirements.
• Analyze infection trends, identify opportunities for improvement, and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare and present infection prevention data to leadership committees, medical staff, and governing bodies.

Policy Development & Regulatory Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain infection prevention policies, procedures, and guidelines consistent with CDC, CMS, OSHA, and Joint Commission standards.
• Ensure readiness for regulatory surveys and accreditation reviews; serve as a key participant during surveys.
• Monitor regulatory changes and ensure timely organizational compliance.

Outbreak Response & Preparedness

• Lead investigations and response efforts related to suspected or confirmed infection outbreaks.
• Coordinate with local and state public health authorities as required.
• Support emergency preparedness and emerging infectious disease planning.

Education & Consultation

• Develops and provide education and ongoing training to clinical and non-clinical staff on infection prevention practices.
• Serve as a consultant to departments regarding construction, equipment, workflows, and practice changes impacting infection risk.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and develop infection prevention staff; provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Collaborate with Quality, Nursing, Facilities, Environmental Services, Employee Health, and Medical Staff leadership.
• Participate in multidisciplinary committees related to quality, safety, and patient outcomes.
• Manages departmental budget
• Interviews, selects, hires, and retains employees
• Ensures orientation and training for employees

Director Standards:

• Manages performance, including other management positions
• Promotes, demotes, or transfers employees to meet organizational needs
• Executes employee accountability process up to and including termination
• Manages departmental productivity standards
• Provides strategic leadership for department(s)
• Performs long range planning and overall direction setting at the departmental level
• Responsible for department organizational structure and alignment to meet forecasted business needs
• Responsible for development, implementation and interpretation of system policies within a major organizational/functional area or the development and review of system policies within a recognized discipline
• Performs compliance requirements
• Approves payroll and is responsible for accurate payment of employees
• Assures meeting/exceeding of DCH mission, vision, and departmental goals

DCH Standards:

• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Must adhere to the DCH Mission, Vision, and Values including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak and comprehend English.
• Current Alabama RN License
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
• Master’s degree in Public Health, Nursing, Healthcare Administration or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in infection prevention, epidemiology or healthcare quality.
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in a community hospital or multi-site health system environment preferred.
• Certification in Infection Control (CIC) required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication style; able to deconstruct complex issues into understandable components.
• BSN and Certification in Infection Control (CIC) required.
• Strong working knowledge of CDC, NHSN, CMS, OSHA and Joint Commission standards.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and translate findings into operational improvements.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence clinicians and leaders at all levels.
• Proven ability to lead change, manage completing priorities, and work collaboratively across departments.
• High level of integrity, accountability and professional judgement.

WORK CONTEXT

• Infection Preventionists are available seven days a week as well as holidays, and therefore required to carry a pager/phone on a weekend rotation and holidays as scheduled. Will come to the hospital any time their presence is needed.

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Able to lift at least 20lbs.
• Able to tolerate prolonged periods of sitting, or standing and/or walking.
• Able to reach reasonable distances to handle equipment.
• Good manual and finger dexterity.
• Good communication skills.
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.