Infection Prevention, Manager; Columbia

Job Overview

Infection Prevention Manager (Columbia County) – Wellstar Health System

Day shift (United States of America).

The Manager Infection Prevention organizes and manages integrated key activities related to Infection Prevention for the organization, aligning with hospital and system strategic goals under the direction of the Executive Director of Infection Prevention or Hospital Designee. This leader is facility-based and reports to the Executive Director of Infection Prevention at the System level or hospital designee as appropriate. The Manager is a subject matter expert and oversees infection surveillance and analysis activities to advance operational performance related to infections.

The manager manages day‑to‑day operations for the infection prevention and control program, ensuring appropriate data is collected and reported to national public reporting organizations and for audit requirements.

The Manager Infection Prevention organizes and manages integrated key activities related Infection Prevention for the organization. He/she works with leaders to align department goals and tactics with hospital and system strategic goals under the direction of the Executive Director of Infection Prevention or Hospital Designee. The individual in this role will build and maintain a strong working relationship with Nursing and quality leadership, influence protocol and outcomes, mentor team members for personal and professional growth, and support consistent adherence to System‑level policies and protocol.

• Management of the Infection Prevention Department; accountable for all Human Resource functions including interviewing, hiring, orientation and performance reviews; accounts for payroll and personnel actions; provides feedback and coaching; ensures professional development and growth.
• Participates in the Quality and Patient Safety leadership team; manages regulatory and accrediting requirements for an Infection Prevention and Control Program; leads and ensures survey readiness in accordance with CMS conditions of participation and accreditation standards.
• Ensures accurate and timely data for public reporting submission through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN); leads and authors the annual Infection Prevention and Control risk assessment; author and implements the annual Hospital Infection Prevention and Surveillance Plans; analyzes and author the annual evaluation of the Infection Prevention and Surveillance Plans.
• Develops and approves Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures based on evidence; collaborates with System Infection Prevention and Emergency Preparedness to develop mitigation, emergency procedures and education for emerging infectious diseases; participates in the development and implementation of system operational plans to mitigate harm to patients, visitors, medical providers and team members.
• Manages daily infection prevention operations; co‑facilitates the Infection Prevention and Control committee (where applicable); prepares and presents reports and statistical data for Nursing and Ancillary Support, Medical Staff committees, Quality Review Committee and Medical Executive Committees; validates infection prevention related data for submission.
• Actively participates in system‑wide infection prevention collaborative; mentors the infection prevention team members on Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) definitions and the annual definition modifications within the National Healthcare Surveillance Network; analyzes HAIs for root causes and develops action plans with nursing units to mitigate future patient harm.
• Participates in construction risk analysis by recommending construction and renovation barriers to ensure the proper level of infection prevention controls are identified and maintained; monitors and advises infection prevention practice; collaborates with leaders and escalates concerns regarding infection prevention; serves as the infection prevention subject matter expert on performance improvement teams.

• Bachelors Nursing or Bachelors Health Science or Bachelors Other or Masters Other – Preferred

• CIC – Cert in Infection Control

• Minimum 2 years experience in a healthcare leadership role (project, oversight, lead).
• Required and minimum 5 years experience in Infection Prevention in an acute care setting or equivalent.

• Leadership, interpersonal, time management, change management.
• Must possess a solid understanding of team dynamics.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and relationship building.
• Strong experience in The Joint Commission, CMS, OSHA, NHSN and State regulations.
• Proven expertise in outbreak investigation.

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Other

• Hospitals and Healthcare