Manager, Infection Prevention

01 Salinas Valley Health Medical Center; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 104,794 - 144,083; Full time

Job summary

01 Salinas Valley Health Medical Center in Salinas, California, is seeking a Manager of Infection Prevention. This role includes overseeing the Infection Prevention Program, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, and managing daily operations to maintain high-quality patient care.

The ideal candidate will hold a BSN, possess a valid California RN license, and have at least ten years of experience in clinical services with progressive leadership roles. The position offers a competitive hourly rate and a structured day shift.

Qualifications

• Ten years in clinical/patient care services, including three in progressive leadership.
• Required current California Registered Nurse license.
• CIC certification required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the Infection Prevention Program for the organization.
• Maintain knowledge of infection control regulations and practices.
• Liaise with health departments regarding data reporting and outbreak management.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing

Master's degree in Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology

Tools

MedMind software system

Job description

Overview

Department: Infection Control. Under the direction of the VP Quality and Risk Management, the Manager of Infection Prevention coordinates the comprehensive organization‑wide Infection Prevention Program in accordance with current requirements of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS) organizational policies and procedures, regulatory, federal government/California State, accreditation and licensing agencies. The Manager is responsible for daily 24‑hour planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of daily operations to support an environment that provides individualized quality patient care and supports SVMHS philosophies.

Responsibilities

• 1. Maintains current knowledge of infection prevention control (IPC) evidence‑based practice for hospital acquired infections (HAI) and IPC‑associated topics and regulatory requirements (e.g., NHSN reporting criteria; standard‑ and transmission‑based precautions/appropriate use of PPE; environmental and medical device cleaning (reprocessing), disinfection, and sterile processing; injection and medication safety; aseptic technique and hand hygiene; risk assessment; exposure control mitigation; HAI reduction; occupational health concerns such as vaccinations; bloodborne pathogen transmission prevention).
• 2. IPC program management including, but not limited to, creation, implementation, and evaluation of annual Infection Prevention Control Plan; focused and population‐based surveillance; epidemiological investigations; creation and maintenance of policies, procedures, guidelines, education, and related forms to ensure compliance with annual plan; and communication of essential plan elements and data with staff stakeholders.
• 3. Serve as a liaison with local, regional, and state health departments as necessary to meet regulatory data reporting (e.g., NHSN submissions), mandated reporting (e.g., outbreaks), and investigation requirements.
• 4. Performs environmental surveillance to monitor appropriate processes, storage, utilization of disinfectants and high‑level disinfection and sterilization. Routine visits to departments to include the following as appropriate: direct observation of processes and practices with high infection risk, use of isolation, hand hygiene practice. Semi‑routine visits to construction areas to assure compliance with ICRA‑approved projects.
• 5. Creates and reviews staff and patient education, policies and procedures, guidelines, etc., on topics such as recommended infection control techniques, infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, use of isolation, and new developments in infection control.
• 6. Oversees and guides risk assessments and reviews, such as infection control risk assessments, capacity to follow instructions for use on cleaning/ disinfection/ sterilization of new medical devices, etc.
• 7. Collaborates with employee health, environmental services, quality, and other outside teams to address concerning infections, exposures, and health of employees, patients, and affiliates.
• 8. Investigates unusual organisms or clusters of infection above expected levels.
• 9. Participates in quality teams, national initiatives/ collaboratives related to infection prevention.
• 10. Develop and maintain an infection surveillance, prevention, and control program based on the organization risk assessment and other needs in accordance with state, federal and California State Department of Public Health (CDPH) reporting requirements.
• 11. Collects, manages and analyzes surveillance data using standardized methodology and defined criteria for HAI.
• 12. Organizes and maintains surveillance data. Maintains departmental records to be in compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• 13. Provides written and verbal reports to administration and relevant committees, departments, personnel, and external agencies (i.e., CDPH, Monterey County DOH, other hospitals, etc).
• 14. Collaborates with employee health personnel on exposure management and immunization.
• 15. Monitors infectious disease and epidemiologically significant organisms occurring in the healthcare system and in the community.
• 16. Identifies and monitors clusters of infections and potential outbreaks, and institutes outbreak investigation and control measures as needed.
• 17. Monitors / recommends isolation precautions according to SVMH policies.
• 18. Reviews / revises policies and protocols as needed to maintain compliance with regulations, standards and evidence based guidelines.
• 19. Assists the organization to evaluate and maintain readiness for state and accrediting agency surveys.
• 20. Continually monitors / evaluates the efficacy of Infection Prevention Program strategies.
• 21. Collaborates with all departments / units / sites of the system to design and implement strategies to prevention HAI and transmission of multi‑drug resistant organisms and other epidemiologically important organisms.
• 22. Provides consultation services relating to infection prevention to the various departments/ units /sites.
• 23. Evaluates products, devices, and equipment as relates to infection.
• 24. Participates in performance improvement activities.
• 25. Communicates with state, local, and federal departments of health.
• 26. Works with Engineering / facilities management to evaluate risk associated with renovation and construction and to supply Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) / measures to prevent the spread of organisms during construction.
• 27. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) required. Master’s degree in Nursing, Public Health, Microbiology or related field preferred.
• Licensure: Current California Registered Nurse license required.
• Certifications: CIC designation via the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) required.
• Experience: Ten (10) years’ experience in clinical/patient care services required with three (3) years progressive leadership experience required. Experience in MedMind software system preferred.
• Essential Technical/Motor Skills: Use of computer requires fine motor skills and precise eye/hand coordination.
• Interpersonal Skills: Communicate effectively both orally and in writing to diverse groups and individuals. Work effectively with administration, employees and medical staff. Identify and analyze complex departmental (and patient care) issues. Make independent decisions and provide counsel and advice to administration, employees and medical staff. Exercise good judgment and tact in providing leadership, guidance and assistance.

Pay Range

The hourly rate for this position is $76.07 - $104.59, reflecting the target for new hire salaries for this position.

Job Specifications

• Union: Non-Affiliated
• Work Shift: Day Shift
• FTE: 1.0
• Scheduled Hours: 40