GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Infection Prevention Director reports to the Executive Director, Risk, Compliance, Quality, Patient Safety, & Infection Prevention.  The Director is responsible for the oversight of the RML Specialty Hospital Infection Prevention Program in collaboration with the Medical Director of the Infection Prevention Program.  The Infection Prevention Director will develop or maintain the organizational system that identifies, reports, investigates and controls infections and communicable diseases of patients, visitors, and personnel.  The Director ensures the continuous monitoring of the effectiveness of the Infection Prevention and Control activities and interventions and will serve as the organizational Infection Prevention Officer.  In collaboration with the Director of Ancillary Services, the Infection Prevention  Director will monitor RML Specialty Hospital visitor policies and protocol(s) to ensure the minimization of the spread of infectious diseases within the hospital. The  Director is the liaison between all organizational departments and the Department of Quality & Patient Safety with respect to issues of Infection Prevention.  The Infection Prevention  Director will have primary responsibility for Infection Prevention-related matters in RML – Hinsdale and will maintain oversight over RML – Chicago via the Infection Preventionist. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop, revise, and implement policies and procedures regarding asepsis and Infection Prevention in accordance with up to date standards of practice.
2. Develop and maintain a system to reduce the spread of infection and communicable disease among patients and staff.
3. Compile and analyze surveillance data to identify significant epidemiological problems and then develop appropriate measures for prevention and control of these problems.  The Infection Prevention  Director will identify and assist with implementation of improved surveillance and reporting processes.
4. Creating and presenting Infection Prevention reports to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and the Quality & Patient Safety Committee.  The Infection Prevention Director will coordinate, implement, and evaluate the standards of care for Infection Prevention in advance of these committee meetings to ensure effective identification and investigation of infections and outbreaks of communicable disease(s) among patients and/or hospital staff.  The Director will report these instances at the aforementioned committee meetings and/or in other appropriate leadership venues.
5. Responsible for the development, review and revisions of the Infection Prevention plan and policies for the hospital, approved by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.
6. Monitors patient care activities to identify methods, techniques, equipment, supplies or new products, which may constitute a risk of infection or those that may help reduce nosocomial infection.  Attends the Patient Care Value Analysis committee to provide guidance and feedback when appropriate.
7. Investigate patients, staff and visitors’ exposure to communicable diseases (e.g., chickenpox, tuberculosis, coronavirus, etc.).   The Infection Prevention  Director will serve as organizational liaison to the Employee Health Department as it relates to employee Infection Prevention issues.
8. Investigates epidemiologically significant issues and develops appropriate measures for prevention and control of the problem identified.
9. Reviews internal and external facility construction and issues an Infection Prevention construction permit (Hinsdale).
10. Interacts with regulatory agencies on reporting communicable diseases and conditions.
11. Responsible for ensuring hospital leadership is apprised of appropriate communication from the Department of Public Health(s)
12. Ensures the organization is maintaining compliance with regulatory Infection Prevention environmental requirements and all other related compliance issues (e.g. hand hygiene).
13. Reviews and disseminates current Infection Prevention information to appropriate individuals or departments within the facility.   The Infection Prevention  Director will be responsible for making him/herself readily available for staff throughout the day and on the weekends (as appropriate). 
14. Develops and delivers in-service education for the prevention and control of infection for all health care workers, patients and families.  Participates in orientation of new employees, clinical review, and annual employee training.
15. Establishes and maintains an effective working relationship with clinical laboratory services and the Director of Ancillary Services who oversees clinical laboratory services.
16. Maintains fiscal responsibility for Infection Prevention related purchases and spending.
17. Responsible for self-education through current literature review, attending workshops, seminars, and formal courses relevant to Infection Prevention.
18. Supports the Mission and Vision of RML Specialty Hospital by demonstrating RML's Core Values of Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Stewardship (STAIRS) in all actions.  Promotes a positive patient/customer experience in all interactions with patients, families and coworkers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS & CHARACTERISTICS

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned this job.  They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions associated with it.

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