Chief of Epidemiology and VP Infection Prevention

Job Summary

This position is incentive eligible.

Qualifications

• Chief Epidemiologist: Responsibilities include developing and implementing policies and practices to prevent infection, stewarded antimicrobials, fostering evidence-based practices, and exploring and intervening to resolve potential and actual infectious outbreaks and respond to environmental threats. In short, the role is the senior authority for epidemiology policy and infectious disease prevention and practice.

• VP Infection Prevention: The role of VP Infection Prevention is responsible for supporting and overseeing the development and success of the organization’s infection prevention and control program including the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and ensuring compliance with infection control standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Metrics: Monitor infection rates, report trends to leadership and as required to regulatory agencies.

• Policies: Lead the creation and support the implementation of policies to align with CDC, CMS, Joint Commission, and local regulatory requirements.

• Surveillance & Monitoring: Develop and support the implementation of systems to track healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), and emerging pathogens.

• Outbreak Investigation & Response: Lead investigations of infection clusters or outbreaks as well as develop containment measures and support their implementation.

• Education & Training: Provide guidance and support for the ongoing education for clinical and non-clinical staff on infection prevention practices.

• Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Conduct regular risk assessments for infection control vulnerabilities working closely with clinical leadership, quality, pharmacy, and environmental services teams.

Additional Responsibilities

• Across both roles this individual will play a key part in:

  • Patient Safety Systems and PSO: Will collaborate with the Chief Quality Officer and Chief Patient Safety Officer in supporting the development, advancement, and compliance of our clinical safety systems and PSO

  • Field Implementation: Will collaborate with and support Group, Division, and Facility Nursing, Quality, CMO and other clinical leaders in the implementation of safety and infection prevention initiatives and priorities as required

  • Field Leadership: Will provide “dotted line” leadership to division and field professionals related to Infection Prevention

  • Corporate Leadership: Will function as a key organizational leader and, as such, establish and maintain effective working relationships other leaders within the Clinical Services Group, including the Chief Quality Officer, the Chief Nurse Executive, and Chief Medical Officer.

Education & Experience

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) Required

• Infectious Disease fellowship training Required

• 5+ years of experience in leadership or management experience Required

• 1+ year(s) of experience in leading large-scale, complex projects Required

• 5+ years of experience in multi-facility or HCA-based system experience Preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Behaviors

• Leading Change - Identifying and supporting organizational and cultural changes needed to adapt strategically to changing market demands, technology, and internal initiatives; catalyzing new approaches to improve results by transforming organizational culture, systems, or products/services.

• Influence - Creating and executing influence strategies that persuade key stakeholders to take action that will advance shared interests and business goals.

• Execution - Translating strategic priorities into operationalizable solutions; aligning communication, accountabilities, resource capabilities, internal processes, and ongoing measurement systems to ensure that the appropriate support is provided to allow strategic priorities to yield measurable and sustainable results.

• Leading Teams - Using appropriate methods and interpersonal styles to develop, motivate, and guide the team to attain successful outcomes and business objectives.

• Building Strategic Work Relationships - Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.

• Navigating Politics - Actively maintaining a broad awareness of the internal and external environment by accurately perceiving organizational, political, and social dynamics; proactively navigating the stakeholder environment to avoid unwanted or unproductive reactions and consequences.