Infection Control Prevention Prog Mgr

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.

Today as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person body mind and spirit in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.

Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services from routine wellness to complex disease management all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.

We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health you become part of a team that delivers top-quality professional healthcare in modern well-equipped facilities and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.

This position is responsible for overseeing and evaluating a comprehensive Infection Prevention/Control program for the assigned Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) facility/function designed to improve patient safety by minimizing the risk of transmission of healthcare-associated infections associated with medical procedures equipment and devices. Populations served include patients employees volunteers students and visitors. An incumbent applies sound epidemiologic principles including risk stratification to identify target populations analyze trends and risk factors and develop and evaluate prevention and control tactics for local application based on overarching strategies and priorities for the Pacific Northwest Division.
Patient-focused functions include risk assessment and risk reduction strategies (infectious disease transmission construction/renovation projects water events and air events) hospital-acquired infection surveillance significant organism surveillance (including emerging pathogens) environment of care surveillance education and notifiable diseases reporting for inpatients.

Work also involves researching and developing a comprehensive risk assessment(s) on an annual basis for the assigned facility/function which prioritizes the risks evaluates achievement of previous years plan and creates a future plan including stated goals for each distinct factor/element. An incumbent is in frequent communication with managers to provide timely feedback and to develop and implement proactive preventative and corrective action plans in response to actual and potential issues.

Work requires considerable knowledge of professional public health/epidemiology standards/practices/tools in order to assure that infection control and prevention procedures/protocols are understood and applied in the assigned facility in a timely efficient and effective manner. Duties performed involve weighing and evaluating many factors requiring judgment analytical ability and problem-solving in dealing with complex data and dynamic situations. Strong change management skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of internal/external committees/work groups to promote utilization of EMR technologies and associated transition to new healthcare delivery systems is required.

Education/Work Experience Requirements:

Bachelors degree in nursing public health epidemiology medical technology program or other healthcare related field and five years of recent related healthcare work experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities.

OR

Graduation from an accredited school of nursing and five years of recent related work experience that demonstrates attainment of the requisite job knowledge/abilities.
Masters degree in a related discipline may be substituted for two years of the experience requirement.

Licensure/Certification:

Depending on qualifying degree:

In Nursing: Current licensure by the Washington State Nursing Commission OR

Other qualifying degree:

National Registration as an MLS (ASCP);
Certification with the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist.
Certification in Infection Control (CBIC).
Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRST)
Certified Board of Infection Control